Jen35

Definitely see your doctor. It could be an ulcer or something worse. I am pre-op and have really bad reflux without my meds, but prilosec and other milder meds don't work for me. I take Protonix and it is one of the best - much stronger and helps a whole lot more. I definitely know what it's like to wake up choking on acid. Hope you get it taken care of and feel better soon.

I'm pre-op but I have pretty bad reflux now. I take Protonix and it is awesome. You feel the difference within days of taking it (not weeks like others). There is a generic for it now so it's less expensive than Nexium, etc. I'm worried that my reflux will get worse after VSG, but I'll keep taking my meds and hope for the best.

Thanks:) I appreciate the support. In the mean time, I have started tracking my calories to get a jump start. I felt like I was just in limbo, so I needed to do something healthy. I'm using my Body Media Fit to track my calories burned(this is a sensor on an arm band) and My Fitness Pal to track my calories consumed. They link so it's pretty cool. I'm also seeing my therapist regularly to work on my emotional eating. I want the surgery but, I'm prepared if it doesn't happen. Just going to do my best to get healthy either way.

I called Cigna again today and they said that the doctor's office didn't resubmit the new paperwork indicating the change in surgeons. Left a message at the doctor's office. I don't know if Cigna conveniently "didn't get the paperwork" or if the office really didn't send it. So far Cigna hasn't been holding up the process as much as the doctor's office. Last appointment was 12/6, they didn't submit to insurance until 12/27. Cigna made a decision by 1/7 (denied) and the office said that they would correct the issue asap. Over a week later, they still haven't resubmitted. This is just crazy!!!

Congrats!! I'm hoping I'll hear something by the end of the week. Even if I'm approved, I don't think I'll be able to schedule surgery until February anyway due to work conflicts. Just found that out:(

So I called Cigna today to check the approval status. I was told I was denied because my doctor isn't in network. I called Cigna prior to starting this whole process to verify that the program, etc. is in network. I called the insurance coordinator at the office and she already knew. She said she thought my doctor was in network. Thankfully, the rep at Cigna verified that the other surgeon in the program is in network. So, I'm switching surgeons. The other will be in the OR with him (they always have 2 in each surgery), so no big deal. The insurance coordinator is calling Cigna today to switch everything so they can review it again for approval. Should know more in a few days (hopefully!). That was the only denial reason so, I'm hoping they don't come up with another reason to deny.

Congrats! You'll do great:)

Update - the surgeon's office just called to verify all my info before submitting it to the insurance. WTH?? I called on 12/18 and the coordinator told me it was submitted 12/17. I was upset about that because they could have submitted sooner. Come to find out, the letter was DATED 12/17 but hadn't been sent yet. So they are submitting today. I understand that they were closed a few days for the holiday and they're busy, etc. BUT it took them almost a whole month to submit. So now I may not know anything until mid to late January. And if they deny then it just pushes the date out even further. It just screws up my whole plan....

I had the last of my 3 month pre-op appointments with the doctor and NUT on 12/6. My insurance requires a 3 month supervised diet before they will approve WLS. So I assumed that the information was sent in to the insurance shortly after 12/6. I called Cigna today - they haven't received anything. What?? I called my contact at the doctor's office and she said that they submitted the letter yesterday because the doctor was out of the office. Uggghh! I'm sure with the holidays, I won't know anything until after the 1st. I'm disappointed, to say the least.

Update - the surgeon's office just called to verify all my info before submitting it to the insurance. WTH?? My last appointment was 12/6 with the plan that it could take most of December for the insurance to approve meaning a January surgery date. I called on 12/18 and the coordinator told me it was submitted 12/17. I was upset about that because they could have submitted sooner. Come to find out, the letter was DATED 12/17 but hadn't been sent yet. So they are submitting today. I understand that they were closed a few days for the holiday and they're busy, etc. BUT it took them almost a whole month to submit. So now I may not know anything until mid to late January. And if they deny then it just pushes the dage out even further. It just screws up my whole plan....

Oh no . Keep trying and stay positive. This waiting game (and insurance game) is so hard.

I'm so glad that you got approved. Good luck on the job search - hope things start looking up for you:)

Congrats:) Let us know how it goes:)

I think it is only giving out partial information and not going into detail. You are only lying if you give false information. Telling people that you are making healthier choices (diet and exercise) is not false. I don't feel shame in my decision to go ahead with the surgery, but I don't want to deal with other's judgement, insecurities, jealousies, (the list goes on) and then deal with the repercussions. I'm dealing with enough in my own life - I don't need that. You mention educating others. Sure, if I feel that a person is open to that (that is the key), then I may share more info. But people can and will use personal information against you. And many times no amount of education will change that. Case in point, you mention mental illness. My husband suffers from severe, debilitating depression. When he was first diagnosed, he was in the hospital off and on for a couple weeks while they figured out the right treatment, meds, etc.. He worked for a small company (too small for FMLA laws) and this was before HIPAA laws. They found out why he was in the hospital and fired him. While he was IN the hospital, knowing that his insurance would end 2 days later. Would they have done this if he had a heart attack? I think not. So, from this I learned that you keep personal information private and it can't be used against you. I share on a need to know basis. BTW, I work in human resources and I wanted to sue their a$$ off, but my husband didn't - he just wanted to move on. He's a much better person than me:) Based on the Americans with Disabilities Act, I could have shut them down and I REALLY wanted to.

Good idea with the quarters:) By my calculations I was at a 40 bmi at the first visit, but they measured me 1/2 inch taller than I thought. The one time I didn't want to be taller! lol

I was in a similar situation. I have Cigna insurance and they require a 3 month pre-op diet which I was doing with my surgeon. My first weight in I was at 39.7 BMI and second at 39.9. My nutritionist said that the insurance should approve as long as the last weight was 40 BMI. So, I made sure that it was Meaining, I ate chinese food the day before (salt=Water retention) and wore my bulkiest clothes. But I don't know if the nutritionist really knows for sure OR if that is true with your insurance. I also don't have any "qualifying" co-morbidities, but I have RA and fibro, knees pain (pain all over actually) etc. My info was just sent to the insurance for approval on 12/17 so I'm waiting to see. If I'm not approved, the office will automatically appeal. I will also go get a sleep study because I think I have sleep apnea and once that is diagnosed, it shouldn't be a problem getting approved.

I'm waiting Submitted to insurance on 12/17. Just waiting . . .

I also have Cigna, so I'm interested to see how long it takes. Mine was just submitted yesterday (12/17), but I thought the office had submitted right after my last appointment on 12/6. So 11 days wasted.

I know Biotene makes a dry mouth spray and you can get it at Walmart. Not sure if they will let you use it. I can't imagine what you are going through! It must be torture! I hope you heal quickly and can have something to drink soon.

Thanks guys:) I called the insurance today, but they didn't have it yet. They may have sent it in late yesterday. I will try calling later this week. Maybe they will know something then. I've just been waiting so long already.

Thanks for posting that. I'm pre-op and this is interesting to me. The stomach is much smaller than I expected!

I am pre-op and I have had the same kind of rash in that area. It was really red and sometimes itchy and painful. I thought it was a yeast rash and tried all the over the counter creams, but nothing helped. My doctor confirmed it was a yeast rash and the Rx cream took care of it. The Rx creams are much stronger so I would recommend that route. I also found a product online called InterDry which is a medical grade anti-microbial fabric with silver that wicks moisture away from your body. It also inhibits the yeast or any bacteria from multiplying. It was created for exactly this problem. It is a roll of fabric that you cut to size and place in the folds of skin. It works wonders!!! It isn't cheap but you don't have to buy it very often (you can use each piece for up to 5 days - depending). Making sure the area is clean and dry is the key. After I shower, I always use my hairdryer on the cool setting to dry "the area" before I get dressed. You can do this several times a day if needed. Hope this wasn't TMI, but I was miserable and these things helped me.

At my second appointment, when I was at 39.9 bmi, my NUT actually said "I won't tell you to gain weight, but drink A LOT of water right before you weigh next time". I gained a couple pounds and was at a 41 bmi at my last weigh in. I would have probably gained 10 lbs if I needed to. (and/or put rolls of quarters in my pockets, lol!). But you need to do what is best for you. I felt conflicted because I'm going to just have to lose those pounds again, but I really feel that I need this surgery.

I know how you feel:( I'm pre-op waiting to hear from the insurance regarding approval. I thought I was at a 40 bmi but the surgeons office measured me 1/2 inch taller than I thought. So, that brought me down to a 39 bmi. I don't have any eligible co-morbidities either, even though I have rheumatiod arthrisis, fibro and generally in pain all the time. I had a 3 month pre-op "diet" for insurance and the first 2 appoinments, I was under by a few pounds, so I did try to gain a couple pounds. I also wore my heaviest sweater and had my phone, change, etc. in my pants pockets. Is that cheating??? Maybe, but I was soo close. I also think I have sleep apnea and just haven't been diagnosed. If the insurance denies me, I will go get the sleep study.

I really like my tv too. My gym has the tv's on all the cardio equipment. I plan to go when there is a show I want to watch and I walk on the treadmill while I watch it. You don't have to go fast (slow walking is better than none). The time flies when I'm watching somthing I'm interested in. And I do this in the evenings (I'm not a morning person).