Shelby

I'm sorry you were denied. I've been there ~ Cigna denied me too. It's frustrating and just makes ya crazy :-) But hang in there. Appeal it - keep at it. Kelley Lindstrom from ObesityLaw.com helped me and I was approved. My surgeons office contacted her - they take some cases for no charge. Lucky me I was one of them. I only worked with Kelley and she was great! I've read good things about her husband Walter as well. Good Luck - keep going - let us know your progress.

I'm sorry to hear you have alot of pain. I was in a lot pain too. It too me by surprise because of all the post I read that many people didn't have much pain at all. The only time I had relief was when I was laying down. Standing, sitting, walking... caused me alot of pain. By the 3rd week I could feel a difference but driving a car still brought tears to my eyes (getting in/out, make turns, etc). It took me about 25 days to feel normal... without holding my belly with tears in my eyes.... seriously.

My doctor and nurse were great. Took my calls, made suggestions, prescribed additional medication but I just had alot of port pain... deep inside. But it does get better and the pain does go away and the band does work! So hang in there!!

They helped me! I had the coverage but was denied several times and they took my case. From what my doctors office told me - they don't take a case they can't win. I dealt mainly with Walters' wife Kelly and she is great. Was very upfront about what to expect - returned emails and phone calls - kept me informed - and I was approved. I felt like she was really fighting for me. You are in good hands! Good Luck to you!

Also, contact your insurance company to confirm you have coveraged for lapband and what their requirements for approval are. I'm sure Celeste has a wealth of knowledge with this process but the requirements from your insurance company should be the list you both are working from.

Hang in there. It is frustrating but don't give up! Keep us posted.

Hi Kara,

Firstly, congratulations on your band! I'll answer your questions based on my own experience. I was banded Aug 28th and had alot of port pain as well. I didn't have pains with my other incisions just where my port was attached to the muscle. It took me 3 1/2 weeks before I had no pain. The only time I was not in pain was when I was laying down. I found if I was able to lay down for a couple of hours during the day I didn't have as much pain after. It gave my body a break. Whenever you can - lay down.

Keep taking your meds as directed. You want to stay ahead of your pain - you don't want to be chasing your pain. It doesn't feel good at all :-) I was prescriped liquid pain meds but at my 2 wk follow up appt my doc gave me something stronger. It was not liquid but I was able to cut the pill in half and had no problem with it. That's when I feel much better! What a relief different pain meds make. I was able to work a full day without crying driving home from the pain.

Re hunger. The first week after surgery I wasn't hungry at all. I did sip on alot of Soup mainly because warm Soup tasted better than a cold Protein drink (and I like Protein drinks). Have you tried egg drop soup? I still make if now. It's good and I'm not hungry for a few hours after a mug of that. Someone posted the recipe here - I forget who is was but thank you! Basically heat up chicken broth in a pan, add egg and mix while heating up, salt & pepper to taste. It's quick, easy, filling and warm.

I hope this has helped you. You are doing great! Your body needs to heal so don't rush it. Some of us have more pain than most - don't know why that happens but lucky us :-)

Keep posting - let us know how you are doing!

Hi Lisa - Glad you can join us. This is a great forum! Good Luck on the 24th and let us know how you are feeling.

I went to Dr. Cribbins - he's great! Really took his time with me and his staff is wonderful. He didn't put me on any pre-op diet. After surgery it was liquids then mushies then soft foods. They will give you hand outs so you will have something to refer to. Good Luck!

Congratulations! Kelley helped me with my appeal too - she is terrific!

Call your doctor - get a slight unfill. Even though you do not feel any discomfort you do not want to cause harm to yourself or the band by throwing up everything you eat. You are not getting enough nutrients. Hurry... right now -- call! Let us know how you make out.

I had surgery on Tues 8/28, one night in the hospital and back to work on Thurs 9/6 but couldn't complete a full 8 hrs (desk job) til 9/12. I had alot of port pain and sitting/driving was the worst! But from what I read here I was just lucky :-) Most people have minor pain after just a few days.

I'll pass on that info - thanks Gladster12!

A friend of mine and her husband had the lapband surgery by Dr. Hagood in Dallas about 3 years ago. The problem is Dr. Hagood does not do fills so he recommended a doctor who has since retired. My friends have never had a fill yet! I'm haven't figured out if they are just not taking the time to find someone or if they are really having problems locating a doctor.

Are there any doctors in the Dallas area who will take patients when surgery was performed by another surgeon?

Hang in there Big Fred! It's not easy and so frustrating but don't give up. Cigna is known for delays and denials - they want people to give up and go away. Not you - you can do this!

I was banded on 8/28 and after 3+ weeks of port pain I feel great today. In most of the posts I have read folks had very little pain after a few days but not me - just lucky I guess. My doctor said everything is healing well - I just happened to have more pain than most.

I just feel so grateful

~ that after a long struggle with the insurance company I was covered which allowed me more time to research

~ no more pain and no more pain meds

~ for knowing which friends and family that I could count on

~ for a boss who didn't ask questions about my 'procedure', respected my privacy and said to take as much time as I needed

~ for losing 24 pounds! when my only goal during this period was to heal and not throw up :-)

~ and for all you wonderful lapbandtalk people

Good Luck Big Fred! Let us know as soon as you hear!

Talk with the Lindstroms (Walter & Kelly). I find they are straight shooters - if they think they have a chance of winning for you they will let you know and visa versa. I belived since you have already submitted your paperwork to the Lindstroms they have 30 days to respond to you. For me it took about that long with them. Once they accepted they were always available.

Keep checking your policy - it may be covered 6 months from now. With mine - Lapband was excluded at one point for experiental reasons and then it was fully covered. Don't give up - get all your facts. There is always self pay but I know that is easier for me to suggest because I'm not paying for it. I will you luck!

Hi Patricia - thanks for thinking of me! Starting yesterday my pain eased up some. Still in constant pain but at least it's not taking my breath away.

I talked to my doctors nurse yesterday and after I explained everything she said it was normal. The muscles are healing and that is where my pain is. Today it's a pulling pain but that's normal too.

I didn't have any problems in the washroom or with gas pains. I"m still in a lot of pain sitting in a chair. But hopefully that will ease up some too.

Still in pain but on my way to recovery!

Yes she is with ObesityLaw.com and WLS was covered in my policy. I was denied alot by Cigna - all administrative reason (they didn't keep all my paperwork together, etc). But that's the norm with Cigna - deny right away and hopefully people will go away.

Does your insurance cover WLS? Or is it excluded?

Kelly Lindstrom helped me with my appeal and I was approved by Cigna. She was wonderful and I felt like she was on top of my case - always returned calls, emails, no question was too silly - she was great!

I was banded on 8/27 and still have the steri-strips too. I have to agree with Kitty on the recovery process - I thought it would not be as painful as it was. I took a week off from work and was to go back today but that was just not possible. Sitting in a chair or standing for more than 5 mins is too painful so I took another couple of days off from work. But with that said - today is the best I have felt all week! I still have alot of pain but at least it doesn't take my breath away :-) Hopefully by Thursday I should be able to manage the pain, breathe, drive and go back to work (desk job). I wish everyone a healthy fast recovery!

Belly laugh!!

Hi Patricia - mine is the left side and a little higher than my belly button. It's just so painful. The incision is fine but it's all the pain behind the area... make sense? I know it's the muscles healing but man o man I'm in constant pain. I'm hoping today will be better but so far it's not. Thanks for responding!

High cholestrol (sp?), joint pain, acid reflux....

Hang in there Sooverit! It's all just so frustrating, isn't it? I believe Cigna's knee jerk reaction is to decline immediately but never give up!

Claramae I'm so glad you are doing much better!