Forestcat5

Hi Rollomosher - I also have cigna ins, (approved, waiting for surgery date) and yes, I had to do a "6 month Dr supervised weight loss program". And so far I've heard that everyone with cigna has had to do it. But don't get too discouraged - with all the testing we have to do, it can sometimes take 6 months to get all of them done, so the time goes fast. But be VERY SURE you follow cigna's requirements!! You HAVE to have a dr appt every month, go in and get weighed, talk about weight loss, then the Dr has to send a letter to cigna or your surgeons office (find out which one) documenting everything about your appt. AND (I really hated this one) the first appt with your Dr doesn't count!! It's just an informational appt, and cigna says the NEXT month's appt that shows weightloss and the Dr sends in a letter, is month #1. So be careful about that. But again, please don't get discouraged! It's just something we have to do, even though most of us have been dieting for 10, 20, 30 years - cigna wants 6 more months. I looked at it as the price I had to pay to get my band, and what I had to do for cigna to PAY for it!! Hang in there, and start the process as soon as possible. You'll be surprised how fast the time goes!! Forestcat

Angie68 - how WONDERFUL!!!!! Just imagine if you had given up and not gone to the consultation! This is exactly why we have to try,try,try again - even when someone tells us NO, or says "It's not covered". Best of luck on your continued journey!!! Let us know how you're doing! Forestcat

Welcome Kim!! What city are you having your surgery? Did/Do you have all your testing already? I was just approved this week and now I'm waiting to be contacted about my surgery date. I practically sat and stared at my phone at work all day, hoping the surgeons office would call! I'm having my surgery at St Vincent Hospital in Cleveland. Good luck on your journey to the band! Forestcat

Creatures in the water. Mostly in the oceans, but lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, mud puddles....... I like to look at bodies of water and go to the beach, might even venture out to about calf high, but that's it. I've had those instances where you've been in the water and something rubs against your leg.....next thing you know you're running ON TOP of the water to get back to land. If I see a program on the Discovery Channel that show all of those THINGS down there - it terrifies me! Whale watching?!? Forget it! I'd be the only person on the boat with my eyes closed.

jennypoo, I called cigna the day after I went to the lapband seminar. I just had to give them the info off my ins card and they looked it up, and they told me it was covered IF I met the requirements. I think it all depends on what your employer has specifically included in the company insurance coverage. Call cigna again and explain that you've been given 2 different answers, and you NEED to know which one is correct. And if you're comfortable with it, call your HR dept and ask if it is covered. Keep trying! Good Luck!!! Forestcat

Shawna - I was very comfortable with Dr Ben-Meir at St Vincent. I have had other surgeries, and the surgeons were always in a hurry during the appointments. I know they are on a very tight schedule, but I felt like they wanted me out of there as fast as possible, so I maybe didn't ask the questions I wanted to. But I didn't feel that way at all with Dr Ben-Meir. He may have WANTED me out of his office as fast as possible, , but he didn't make me feel that way. When he saw that my husband was there he asked if it was ok with me that he come in also incase he had questions. Then when he started talking about my weight, he stopped and asked me if I was comfortable with him saying how much I weighed in front of my husband, because he didn't HAVE to. I didn't have a problem with it, but I really appreciated that he asked. He came across as a very kind and highly capable Dr. Everyone else I've come in to contact with has been nice also. (the only "bad" incident was with someone at the check-in desk for a blood test in another area of the hospital, and I don't think she is necessarily affiliated with the Bariatric Center.) I am pleased so far with St Vincent's, and have no problem recommending them to anyone else. Best of Luck - and keep me posted! Forestcat

michiganer - Hang in there. I was APPROVED today by cigna after being denied by them about a month ago. And I believe it was the "peer to peer" phone call my pcp made that got me approved. She faxed over more details of my medical history, and called, and BOOM!....it all came true. So hang in there, don't call them any names yet (ever wonder if they read these sites?!?) and make some phone calls to your surgeon and pcp if you have one, until they find out what else cigna wants, fax it, then do the peer to peer. Good Luck, and keep us informed!!!

Hi Jiggleypuff - I think we are really fortunate here in Northern Ohio with all of the excellent hospitals. I don't think a person could go wrong going to any of them for the surgery. When I was researching lapband surgery I happened to see that there was seminar given by St Vincents near where I worked, so I decided to go. I filled out the forms, and got the ball rolling after that. Is there anything specific you would like to know? I'll answer anything I can, just let me know. And guess what? I got APPROVED TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I see that sbee referred to me as a "him", but let me set the record straight - I'm a female cat. Forestcat

Hi benson 1029!! I wanted to let you know that you are NOT alone. I also rarely go anywhere that I might see someone I know - which is pretty hard because I live in the same general area that I grew up in. Basically I go to work (they've always known me as obese), anywhere with a drive thru, and most of my shopping is done online. I've avoided wedding, funerals, and parties for years. And until recently, I wasn't aware I was doing it. I told myself I was too tired or didn't have anything to wear, or suddenly felt sick. Sad isn't it? But it was really always because I was ashamed to be seen. So with that realization and my increasing health problems - I started researching bariatric surgery. I decided that the lapband was for me, attended an information seminar, have had all the testing, and I'm waiting for approval from my ins co. (I was denied on my first attempt) Continue to read everything on this site, ask questions, go to your state listing on this site and maybe find someone who lives close by. I was almost ready to give up on the surgery when I was denied, but then I read a lot of stories similar to mine on the Insurance forum, and they gave me the inspiration to keep on trying. How great you are being banded in Nov! Do you have an exact date? Keep in touch..... Forestcat

Hi andielmt - I was also VERY disappointed when I found out I had to do a 6 month weightloss and exercise. But you know what?.....the 6 months are going to come and go anyway........might as well use them to work towards a healthier life!!! If it was someone you loved who had to do something for 6 months that would most likely extend their life - you would encourage them to do it - right? So this is me encouraging you to GO FOR IT! Forest cat

bfyneNtyme - Thank you so much for this information! I was denied by cigna a few weeks ago for not having enough documentation of the 6 month weightloss. For whatever reason, the surgeons office only had 2 months of documentation from my Dr, but sent it in anyway. I have been trying to be patient and not bug anyone too much, but after reading about your experience I've decided to "call, call, and call again!" I called the surgeons office and my Dr's office last Thurs and left messages asking them to call me back to let me know if the rest of my documentation had been sent in, and neither one called back. So Monday morning they will be hearing from me again. And if it WAS sent in - the next call is to CIGNA! Thanks again!! Forestcat

mammawxfive - I have cigna insurance and just finished the 6 month Dr supervised diet. And no - my Dr didn't just fill out the form. I was VERY disappointed when I found out I had to do it. I mean c'mon - I had already been on every diet known to mankind, lost and regained hundreds of pounds, and now you want me to wait 6 more months after I've made this life-changing decision?!? But you know what - with all the testing we have to have before surgery, scheduling appointments and trying to schedule them around work, waiting for results of the testing - took 6 months anyway. So I looked at the diet as ONE MORE THING I HAD TO DO before I could begin my journey. And finding this site has been a GREAT help! Gathering information, getting to know people in the same boat, and many times - being highly entertained, the 6 months weren't all that bad! Best of luck to you!!

My favorites: Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, Doobie Brothers, Pretenders, Marvin Gaye, and Motown, to name a few.

The bariatric unit where my banding will be done, St Vincent Hospital in Cleveland Ohio, has a clothing exchange for their patients. Just a room where you can bring clothes that have become too big, and then look around for clothes in a smaller size. All volunteer, all free.

Hi Marieze! I found out I had sleep apnea before I started all the testing for the lapband surgery. I haven't been banded yet, (Waiting on insurance approval) so I can't tell you if losing weight has helped - but the Dr told me that it definitely will. Plus I have read on this site that many, many people no longer have to use their c-pap machine after losing weight. I absolutely feel better since using the machine. I got used to it pretty quickly, and couldn't believe how rested I felt right from the beginning. (My DH also uses a machine, and we laugh about if a burgular ever creeps into our bedroom, and we both jump up out of fear - the bugular would probably have a heart attack thinking he stumbled upon some aliens!) My insurance paid for most of the cost of the machine. I think I may have had to pay around $150. When I decided to have lapband surgery right after being diagnosed with the sleep apnea, I thought I'd just let it go and not get the machine. But after doing some research, and talking with my family Dr, I decided to go ahead with it. The main reason is that sleep apnea is hard on the heart - you stop breathing, therefore you are not taking in enough oxygen, so your heart has to work harder. I already had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and morbid obesity - how much could my poor heart take?!? I feel that using the machine is just another tool for becoming healthy. I hope this info helps, and if you have anymore questions - just ask. We're all here to help one another! Forestcat

DerickM, Those lyrics also sound like a song by Foreigner........"Long Long Way From Home"?? Forestcat5

Hello to everyone in Ohio! I am 52 years old and live in Northern Ohio and plan to have my surgery by Dr Ben-Meir at St Vincent Hospital in Cleveland. I have finished all the testing and the insurance required 6 month weightloss program. I was denied by my ins company last week, but it was due to not all of my information being submitted - so my Primary Care Dr and Case Specialist are working it out. I HOPE to get an acceptance letter by the end of the month..... I have been overweight since about the age of 9, and can remember going on a hard boild egg diet at age 10, and have been yo-yo-ing since. I have lost 90lbs on Weight Watchers, and 100lbs on UltraFast - a Dr supervised liquid diet. (I also lost my gallbladder,and some hair on that one!) I regained all the weight and more each time. 2years ago I lost 60lbs on Atkins, but once again regained it. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, and the general fatigue of dragging all this weight around. I have been married for 29 years, and my husband is very supportive about me having the surgery. We have a daughter, 27, and 4 inside cats. Seeing my weight at my last physical,(280) the mounting health problems, and realizing I hardly ever went anywhere, besides work, because I lived in fear of seeing someone I knew, is what made me look into the surgery. I looked up everything I could online, then saw the advertisement for a seminar near where I worked. That was at the first of this year. So here I am now, waiting for 'the powers that be' to give me the ok. That's it for me.......who's going to introduce themselves next from Ohio?!? Forestcat5

Hi newmel - I didn't have to have the scope, but I did have to do a barium swallow upper GI xray. I have talked to quite a few pre-banders though who did have to do the scope. I imagine it depends on the Dr, or maybe something in your medical history. For instance, my Dr sent me to a vascular specialist based on the fact that my sister developed a clot once. I'd rather that the surgeon know EVERYTHING he can before the surgery.....I'd hate to wake up after surgery only to be told they couldn't do it because of something they found!! I'm waiting for insurance approval too. Hang in there!!! Forestcat

Hello! I have been through all the testing and just finished the insurance required 6 month weight loss the middle of Aug. Last week I received a letter from my ins (CIGNA) that I was denied..... My heart sank. I couldn't believe it! The letter said I had not met the requirements of the 6 month weight loss. The next day I called my case specialist and she said she only had diet info from my primary Dr for 2 months! (I'm wondering why in the world she sent it in then????) I called the Dr's office and explained the problem, then after work I dropped off letters for my Dr and her nurse at their office explaining exactly what info they needed to fax to my case specialist. I'm going to call on Thurs to see if she has received anything from my Dr. Ever since I attended the seminar in Feb and started the ball rolling immediately - I've had in my mind that I would have my surgery sometime in Sept. But I've decided to look at this as only a minor setback and will NOT give up. I'm very glad I eavesdropped in the surgeons office and heard someone mention this site - you have all been a great help to me!

These replies really helped me. Not waking up is my main fear also. The comment about risking our lives everyday by carrying around 100lbs or more of weight far out-weighs (no pun intended!) the risks of surgery.

Hi BonJosie - I'm new to this site too. I agree about ins co's making people wait for the surgery. I have to do a 6 month weight loss program for them, when all they would have to do is look at my medical records of continual weight gain-weight loss since age 10. But I'll do what it takes to get this done!! Good Luck on your journey!!

hoosierpoms - thanks for responding! It's so great that you have your surgery on Wed! You get to begin your journey of being a healthy person. What, if any, pre-op testing did you have to have? How are friends/family responding to your banding decision?

Good Morning! I'm Pre-Op, 2 months into insurance required 6 month weight loss, and had my first appt with my surgeon last week. I have been looking around this site and am very glad to see all of the support!!!

Good Morning! I am 52 years old and pre-op at St. Vincent Bariatric Center in Ohio. I'm 2 months into my 6 month required weight loss plan, and had my first appt with my surgeon last week.