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Sorry, but I have to vent a bit...I saw the surgeon on May 15th. Set July 1st as a surgery date. Went from pre-op tests already and have been on the pre-surgical liquid diet for one week now...my insurance company has no record of a request for authorization for surgery. I know that there is only one person doing insurance submissions at NYU, but I am one week away and still have no idea if this going forward. I've read many posts about how people find out the insurance company denied coverage the day before surgery. I am so nervous about getting denied. (More nervous about getting denied than the surgery). This is making me CRAZY.

Globetrotter, Thanks for the post. The business meal tips are especially helpful as I expect to have to navigate several the first month post op. I planned on lots of soup, etc.

I have Cigna too. Tentative surgery date is July 1st. I called Cigna on Friday too. No record of a request for pre-certfication. Feeling very frustrated and nervous. Let me know if you hear from Cigna. Do you have a surgery date? Good luck.

Thanks to everyone who responded. Good luck to SunFlower00--hope all goes well next week. I am still awaiting ins approval so my question may be moot, but sounds like I should be okay. I did think about having the right food on hand. I plan to bring Protein powder. By then I think yogurt and other mushies will be okay so I will be able to make it work. Business "meals" may be the hardest part but I'm thinking Soup, soup, soup.....etc.

Looking for some guidance -- I'm scheduled for surgery July 1st. I just found out that I have to travel for business on July 14th. Just wondering if anyone else had to travel that soon after surgery. I will certainly ask my surgeon to make sure it is okay, but I spoke to a member of the office staff and she seemed to think it would fine as long as I don't lift heavy bags, etc. Any thoughts?

Staylucid, I think we were are pre-surgical at the same time today (were you wearing tan pants?)--I thought about it as I was leaving to go for my x-ray, but I didn't see you in the waiting room on the way out so you must have been with the nurse. Pre-surgical testing was quick for me too. I also did the esophogram today. Very easy. I am doing Opti-fast. I was Opti-fast last year (6 month diet) so it is easy for me. When I was on it last year, I had one meal a day, however. First few days this time were not bad, but today was challenging. I did have some broth today and that seemed to help curb the hunger. I've heard

Pre-surgical tests seem to be keyed to your surgery date. I'm scheduled for July 1 so the pre-surgical work up was scheduled for about one week before surgey. (I was originally supposed to go 6/23, but had to reschedule to 6/20 because of work). My consult with Dr. Kurian was May 15th--I think you should expect about one month to 6 weeks between consult and surgery date. I was able to schedule all of my pre-surgical tests for the same day --6/20 --so I'll let you know about the process tomorrow night. Still no word on insurance and I am very nervous about getting approval. Agree that it is hard to get NYU staff on the phone. I had best result with email too. Good luck.

Congratulations! That's great news. You must feel so relieved. Best of luck to you and I hope to see you too! I still have not heard a word. I've called my insurance company and there is no record of a pending authorization. I'm getting very nervous. I've started the pre-op diet, however, and have pre-surgical testing on 6/20. We'll see. I'll keep you posted.

Hi, I'm at NYU too. Dr. Kurian is my surgeon. Make sure you ask if the surgeon you are planning to see participates with your insurance. Apparently, each surgeon participates with different companies. Does your insurance require a 6 month diet. If so, make sure you have records that document the diet and exercise plan you followed when you go for your consult. My tentative surgery date is July 1 so I am supposed to start the pre-surgical liquid diet on Tuesday, but I still don't know if insurance has approved the surgery. Am scheduled for pre-surgical testing this week too. Waiting is making me crazy (and cranky--as my family has pointed out). Good luck to you. Let us know how the consult goes.

Joelle, Each insurance company has different requirements. You have to call the customer service number on the back of your card and make sure that this type of surgery is covered under your plan. (Some employers exclude it and it is not a covered procedure). If it is covered, ask the ins. co. to explain the requirements for approval. Some require a BMI of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 to 39 with co-morbidities (high blood pressure, sleep apena, etc.) On this site, you can go to the Insurance section. You can read posts about people's experience with different companies. But you must call to find out what your plan covers. Good Luck.

Mtanna, Thanks for the info. I will call Cigna and ask for the name of the person handling my file. I feel like I'm in a "holding pattern" right now. This waiting is very frustrating and causing much anxiety.

Kksgranny-- do you know why you were denied? I have CIGNA too and awaiting word. Am concerned as I have heard that CIGNA can be very difficult.

For those of you who are younger and closer to having attended school, have you tried school records? If you attended college away from home, you probably had to submit a health form. The doctor probably recorded your weight. Just an idea. Good Luck

I have CIGNA too. Am also planning to have surgery at NYU (tentative date -- July 1). I've been told that CIGNA is very picky. I would move the appointment so that is falls in the next month. If paperwork shows two appts in the same month, they may not get past that fact. I am awaiting insurance approval too so this really speculation on my part, but the folks at NYU have told me how difficult CIGNA can be about the paperwork.

Hello, I'm having many of the same feelings you are...but I think it is natural to have some fears. If you are like me, and have struggled with weight and food issues for many years (most of my adult life) then this is a very big step. I'm scheduled for surgery July 1st. In many respects I am letting go of something that is very familiar -- both my weight and my ability to use food as a source of comfort. For me, weight has always been both a shield and a sword. Something to protect myself and "blame" when things were not always so easy for me or did not go my way. For me the lap band represents a huge change and, in many respects, I feel like I am getting ready to experience a huge loss in my life. I am letting go of something very familiar, comforting. My weight has been part of my "self-definition" for so long, I am worried about not having it as a point of reference. I am so ready to make this change, however, and I think because I'm ready, the feelings are intense. I too have read posts about people being unhappy with the band, but then I'll read another post about how wonderful it has been for someone else and how the band has changed that person's life for the better. There is no right or wrong answer here. You have to do what is best for you. Does your surgeon or local hospital run a support group? Sometimes being able to talk to others who have gone through similar experiences is helpful. Takes the edge off and you know you'll get through the difficult part because others have been through it already. As for me, I take it one day at a time. I'm awaiting insurance approval and I'm not sure I will get approved because my BMI is 40 and I do not have co-morbidities. At this point, I'm more concerned about not getting insurance approval and what that might mean for me. I don't know if this has helped you, but I just wanted you to know that you are not alone in your fears. Good luck to you.

July 1st -- NYU --awaiting insurance approval.

You should call your doctor. The shakes--dizzy--you may be dehydrated, but you may have an infection. Any fever?

Pre-op tests on June 23. I know exactly how you feel. Good luck. Keep me posted about insurance, etc.

Trader Joes has a variety of soups "in a box" you pour out one serving and heat in the microwave.

Too soon to submit to insurance for me as well. Looks like we have the same time line. Are you scheduled for pre-op testing? Am getting anxious--worried about ins. I have CIGNA and I hear they are very difficult. Good luck to you too.

I haven't tried gyrotonics yet. I will look for a studio. Thanks for the tip. Enjoy your reformer.

July 1st too! (I hope). I am awaiting word from insurance so I hope to stay on track for the 1st.

I will have to do Optifast for my pre-surgery diet too. But I was on a modified Opti fast diet diet for the 6 month diet so I am very familiar with Optifast! (I ate one meal a day, along with the shakes). Best to make the shakes in the blender--add plenty of ice and it does mix up thicker. I used to mix the vanilla powder with coffee, splenda, sugar free vanilla syrup and ice in the blender and it tasted like a frozen latte (sort of :-)). Think of it as a means to an end.

Erica, Thank you so much for your very informative post. It was very helpful.

Laurenwhite: I saw Dr. Kurian--who I really like. The office is a bit hectic, however so when you go, be prepared to be there for several hours. Good luck.