Constance

That is really rough. I'm sorry. Hang in there, the band could be the thing you've been waiting for.

I was talking with a rep from his office. He seems like a very qualified doctor with a competitive surgery package. Check out his website http://www.thebariatric.com/index.html One of the things that makes him more appealing is that they offer the surgery at both a new very nice hospital and an older more basic hospital. This allows them to charge a little less if you aren't picky about the surgery "venue".

I'm going to call tomorrow (too late now) and ask specifically what needs to be documented or discussed in the 6-month supervision that I did not do. If my doctor can clarigy and re-submit, then great. If not, I am off to self-pay land. It really chaps my buns that they so easily give you a denial and make it so vague!

The latest inews is my doctor called for the peer-to-peer. They wouldn't let her talk to a the medical director because she is a PA...not an MD! Well, why is she listed in Cigna's provider directory?! I've been seeing her 3 years and I consider her my doctor. Anyway, they are not accepting my 6 months supervision. They DID get the paperwork but found it to be "inadeqaute". So I will go weigh in one more time next week and write a super pathetic letter. That is all I can do at this point.

I think it may not be one thing - but several things - that take the place of comfort eating. I've thought a lot about that myself. Any kind of crafting is good. I knit and sew and do all kinds of stuff with my hands. I like to garden. I like to build stuff. I think mousecrazy is SO right about finding something not so self-centered. I know back when I was on a hardcore diet before my wedding I would use Crest Whitestrips when I was climbing the walls for a snack. That only works for about 2 weeks though, unless you want crazy gameshow white teeth.

Oh no, girl, no! Ok, first off, do you have a VG band? I have read some stuff about the VG band taking some time to "prime" and some of the fill lingering in the segments. (The VG band is segemented and the others are smooth.) Don't panic! You have lost a bunch of weight already and that totally rocks! But I know, you want to keep losing and all. I would totally get the flouro ASAP. Also, they can fill the band with a fluid that shows up under flouro (not saline) and can see exactly where a leak is, if there is one. That totally sucks about the 3 months being up -- but don't you think Dr. K will help you out with the flouro?

Hey, check out the "2 week wait begins" thread. I have Cigna and I too was just denied becuse of the 6 mo. supervised weight loss attempt. The thing is, i DID the 6 months! But for whatever reason it isn't being accepted. I was told to have my doctor call and see if she could provide any information in the appeal. Girl I know how lame this is. I am so mad I have taken so much time to jump through all these hoops and they just deny you over something so stupid. Obviously when you are morbidly obese this surgery is such a tremendous help. For Cigna to insist on these arbitrary requirements is so insulting. I think thet seriously are just looking to weed people out and make it harder to stick it out and get approval. Don't give up yet, ok? Self-pay is a bunch of dough - even in Mexico. Hang in there! I will say, if you have seen your doctor or surgeon for the last few months, that can count towards the 6 months. They just need to make some notes about their reccomendations and record your weight and what type of diet you follow. I say this as I've just been denied! So maybe I'm not the best to give advice on specifics. But hang in there, ok.

Aw thanks! I hope it is a simple issue, too. I asked my doctor to call in for a peer-to-peer review with the medical director at Cigna. I hope hope she does it TODAY! Thanks for the support!

msbrookins I am SO excited for you!! Please share everything with us as soon as you're up to it.

I totally feel for you and I'm in the same boat. I'm starting an appeal and I'm hoping for the best. Insurance companies are thieves and jerks! (um, yes, I have strong feelings about this)

I got a denial letter today. Reason being: "Complete documentation of supervised 6 month weight loss program has not been received" Okaaay? As is not received at all? Or not "adequate"? I called Cigna. This just in, they are total douchebags and could scarcely pull up today's date. They will mail me all of the info my surgeon sent them. Couldn't they just tell me what specifically was wrong with the 6 months I submitted? Nope. So now I wait some more. I wish I had a big ol' chunk a change and I could just say eff it and do self-pay. I will if I have to, I just want to give the insurance a try. **sigh**

prayers and hugs! hang in there - we are here for you!

I'm with DonnaB, the convenience/novelty is not worth the melted plastic in my food. (insert *wonh WONH* the debbie downer trombone). Although using a non-stick pan isn't much better. And how about some deadly margarine? haha - seriously, skip the baggies, peeps. I want all you lovely ladies to be around a long time.

It's been a week...no word yet.

This is actually from last July 27th...here is it: http://www.or-live.com/brighamandwomens/1372/index.cfm

I think this is it: http://www.or-live.com/brighamandwomens/1372/ However, it is July 27 of 2005. It won't be live but you can still watch the video.

My crazy food fest has been going strong for like 3 months! I've been terrible! Tonight I had potato chips with onion dip, a bunch of oreos and a personal pizza. OK, the thing is, I don't even LIKE processed food like that. It's like I'm just doing it to have the forbidden fruit or something. I know that soon enough I'll be in Liquid Land and I can look back fondly at my indulging.

I'm 30. Can I just start getting them, just like that?

Bet, check out this doctor... www.lapbandrockies.com He has a package for 9950$ in Denver. I know DrewsLou used him and has wonderful things to say. From what I have researched, he is a very highly skilled gastrointestinal laproscopic surgeon, but is newer at the LapBAnd surgery. I met with him and thought he seemed very cordial and knowledgable. However I am waiting to hear on my insurance approval through another surgeon.

Don't worry, I'm not asking for a diagnosis -- just your thoughts. I had a few really bad multi-day headaches in the past month. I totally am not a 'headache person'. Stress gets me in the stomach typically. These headaches don't seem to respond to advil/tylenol. For example, today I've taken 6 tylenol, 2 of which had a decongestant for any possible sinus issues. Nothing, no relief. The pain is mostly on one side but can shift the front or back - still favoring one side. It starts behind one eye socket and goes to the top of my head, with a spiltting feeling. (wow, a splitting headache, I get it.) Then it moves around to the back of my head. Sound and moving around seems to make it worse. I'm not sick to my stomch or anything. Just in pain. Migraine or no?

OK, I know you were asking for long-term bandsters, which I am not. Actually, I'm not even banded yet. But I do have research up the wazoo! My view is that the sugery is serious but not drastic. I think it is far more serious to be morbidly obese. Also, my surgeon said there is NO data to support the 'stretched pouch' theory. The band will change as you lose weight. You may find you need fills as you lose, period. Honestly, I', 30 and I wish I would've looked into this 5 years ago. It gets progressively harder for your skin to snap back and I just hope I can avoid plastic surgery. Anyway, do your research, and decide what is best for you. I think for me, this is the best thing out there for safe slower weight loss. I think you PCP is just confusing bypass surgery - which IS really drastic!

Yes dovie, I went and saw my doctor and weighed in every month. She made notes about me exercise or diet as needed. I'm so anxious to just KNOW.

I want to wear my engagement ring. I'm SO not a jewelry girl and I never thought I'd be all into the bling. But my husband was so sweet and careful in his choice for me. It breaks my heart not to wear it with my wedding band. Secondly, I want to buy a trampoline and jump on it! The one I want has a weight limit of 175. Ok. I have more... -Cut my hair! I keep my long red hair to have one thing decent looking on my body. But I want a cute funky short do when I'm smaller. -Wear shorts - I stopped wearing them when I was about 10 years old -Bedroom confidence - yall know what I'm talking about -Boardroom confidence - ditto -Go dancing! We used to dance all the time in college...raves, clubs, whatever. We'd come home at dawn. I miss moving so freely and easily without fear of what body part continued to reverberate. I could go on and on!

My local surgeon has just submitted all of the required materials to Cigna. The insurance processor said I should have a decision in 2 weeks. I have a PhD (ok, maybe a Master's compared to some of you) in jumping through hoops at this point: 6 months supervised "diet" resting metabolic rate testing blood work EKG Cardio pulmonary work up Psych eval. mandatory support group Cigna is notoriously tough so I hope I have enough. The problem is, I learned recently that they want you to have a BMI of 40+ for at least a year. I hovered at 39 up until a few months ago. The insurance processor thought I acctually had a pretty good shot, though. I so so hope I get approved! Please send you good vibes/prayers/happy thoughts this way

Randi I'm so sorry. It can be so frustrating to feel like a number. And I know what you mena about not feeling like yourself and not speaking up. Sometimes with medical care, it's kind of like, you don't want to complain because then they might treat you worse. But if you can, do speak up, even if it is just to a receptionist or assistant. It will get back to the doctor eventually. UUgh, but I hate being lumped in with bypass people. It's like "you have a broken ankle and you have a broken wrist -- well, they're both broken bones right? You're all the same!" Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!