kfgates

When my PCP sent the weight loss center my referral he stated that I had been on numerous diets over the last 4 years...My insurance co also requires at least a 6 month diet. My case has not been sent in for approval, but I am praying for a good outcome. I really liked the post that said that bandsters are involved in a "waiting game". That is soooo true....Hurry up and Wait....Hurry up and Wait! Kimberly

Sarah, Were you approved the first time they submitted to your insurance co or did the office have to re-submit? I am wondering how they go about this. The 17th can't come too soon for me. I know that is only the info meeting, but I need to get my fanny into that office so i can get weighed. We FINALLY found a Wii Fit and I absolutely love it!! My BMI dropped and now I am right at 35....I Never thought that would bother me. I don't know how you feel about exercise (I really enjoy it) If it is not your favorite thing to do that the Wii fit is for you. I did it for 30 minutes and was soaked from sweat. It also has Yoga (which I love) and lots of other things. Let me know if you are going on the 17..I will be sure to look for you. Kimberly

Thanks Sarah, I can't believe the people that were here in Bath last night!! We were talking and believe it is because of gas prices people are not traveling...I can't believe the people that were in Damariscotta! I didn't know there were that many people there...lol. I also can't believe the dock sank!! I think I reached a new low..we had to sit on the rocks because ALL the grass was taken...when I tried to get up I could not do it!! I work at the Taste of Maine (I am sure you know where that is...lol) and we were really busy last night, so when I sat down I could not get my fat @#s up!! My husband bent down to help me...I am sure he could do it...but a helpful man offered his hand too...I NEVER FELT SO FAT.... I teach in the fall and winter, but love the cash that can be made in just a few months...lol. How long does it take for you to get to the center in Augusta? Did you try to work it out so you could do a couple of things on the same day?? Did you have to do the six month diet because of your insurance co, or did you have to wait 6 months for a surgery date. I was told that there used to be 3 docs there but there are only two now...I wonder if that will slow down the process? I can't believe your weight loss!!! I am an 18/20 now and I can't believe I am going to say this, but am actually finding it difficult to stay at a 35/36 BMI. I am hardwired to diet but know if my BMI drops I will not be considered. I also know if I really let myself go I can get as high as 40. I do great when I diet and can loose the weight, but as soon as the scale stops going down i loose interest and gain it back. I need the extra push the band can offer. I have a girlfriend that is going with me to the informational meeting on the 17th..she too used Augusta and is a big help. I have more questions for you but do not want to overwhelm you...lol Thanks yet again Kimberly PS: Bat wings...lol I call them "granny grabbers"...lol

Hi Ladies, Did you come home the day of the surgery, or did you spend the night in the hospital?? Did you have an Xray the next day? I live aprox 1 hour away...if you did go home the day of your procedure way it difficult to drive back the next day? I read thru the entire 35 page description of Cigna's approval book and it does not say yea of nay. Hope you both had a great 4th...the fireworks in Bath were amazing. Kimberly

Elaine, I am so sorry to hear of your plight. I have heard that some businesses can pick and choose what they want to cover and if they choose NOT to have weight loss surgery covered that lowers their premium. I checked with my Cigna first before I went any further...I read thru the entire policy..I am fortunate, but they have A LOT of stipulations that I have to meet and a lot i's I need to dot...lol. I would be in the same boat as you..we certainly do not have the money for us to pay. I read about several people that go to Mexico to have it done because it is cheaper...we live in Maine and I think even if I lived closer to Mexico I would be cautious. My new favorite saying.....The definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results!! We diet over and over again only to be rewarded with gaining the weight back over and over again. My prayers are with you. Kimberly

I wanted to wish you the best on your surgery tomorrow. It seems so far away for me and I just can't wait to hear how you do and how well you recover!! God Bless and do what the Doctor tells you...lol Kimberly

I have been "housing" a hiatial hernia since my middle 20's. Now that I am researching this procedure I have found that this type of hernia may cause problems. I am looking for anyone that has one, or one that was discovered during surgery. I have been on Nexium (for reflux and heartburn) for as long as I can remember...how will I know the difference between reflux and PB. Thanks for any help you can offer! Kimberly

Jodi, I have read about several people that did not even know they had a hernia, but mine keeps reminding me of its presence with disabling reflux and heartburn. Cigna stopped covering Nexium so I have had to go to another med and it does not work as well. I can't imagine life without it, but would like to try...lol. I am waiting until I start teaching in the fall (around the beginning of October) for my surgery. I hate to give up the money from the restaurant...lol. If Cigna requires me to go on another diet for 6 months that puts me in after the holidays. Either way I will not be waiting on tables. My BMI is low (I can't believe I am calling a BMI of 36 low, but according to the insurance company it is..lol) and I have several co-morbidities, but until I get the OK I am not going to get my hopes up. We could never afford such a surgery.

I have not been banded and am in the "hurry up and wait" period. I have a hypo thyroid and have been medicated for the last 10 years. Yes it is with me for life, but as long as I stay medicated it will not cause weight gain. Have you been banded?? Are you on levoxal or the generic?? Have they regulated your meds yet?? It took years to get mine to where I was not on too much or too little. Hope this helps..Kimberly

My paperwork has not been submitted...I am just starting out on this long journey. Cigna has been good to us in the past, but I downloaded the 35 page guide to getting approved for bariatric surgery and read thru the entire thing. I am planning on having to wait the 30 days and if it does happen sooner YEA! Did they make you do a 6 month diet?? My GP wrote to them stating that I have done several supervised diets with him over the past 3 years...I am hoping that appeases them and I don't have to do a 6 month diet...If I do then I am willing to accept this...what's another 6 months..lol. I hope you hear from them soon...no news is good news...What is your BMI? Is there any reason you think you may be denied?? My prayers are with you! Kimberly

Jodi you are such a huge help!! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I am a teacher in the fall and winter, but in the summer I wait on tables. I am sure I will not be able to go back as fast as you did....I am shoting for surgery in October, after the restaurant slows down. I am sure I can go back to school after a week...but carrying trays will be out of the question. I still don't know if my insurance will require a 6 month diet...my GP sent them a wonderful letter stating that I have done several diets with him so possibly they will not require ANOTHER ONE. Was your BMI was low...did you have a difficult time getting approved? I am trying to stay @ 35-36, but it is just hardwired in me to diet and loose weight...I have been as high as 40, but do not want to go back there for anything. I have Cigna so now it is just hurry up and wait. Thanks again Kimberly

Kerri and Sarah, I know I have "horned" in, but reading your posts really means a lot to me. I read thru all the posts titled complications. I needed to. I am not having second thoughts, but feel a lot more informed. When you both met with the surgeon did he tell you how many of his patients bands slipped, ports got twisted, or any other complications? I have had several people respond to my question...have any of you had a hiatal hernia pre surgery...I was concerned that would be a "deal breaker" or that possibly it would lengthen my recovery time. I too am nervous about going from liquids to solids...you wait so long for the band and you don't want to do anything to ruin it. thanks ladies!! Kimberly

You don't have to apologize...I was just making sure...I too am about 45 minutes from Augusta...I am in Bath. I am hoping we can do as many things as possible on the same day just because of gas prices. Boy I hope you are right and things do move right along. I am shooting for early September. If my insurance co still wants me to go on another diet than I am looking at some time after the holidays. Thanks once again...have a good weekend! Kimberly

Hi Sarah...you are so "uplifting" I am fortunate to have found you in the beginning of my journey. Don't I have to go to an informational meeting first?? The next one is July 17...I feel like hurry up and wait..lol. Kimberly

Did your Insurance not approve you because of your low BMI?? I have several comorbidities, but my BMI is fairly low (according to Cigna) and I am concerned with coverage. Kimberly

Was your recovery longer because of the hernia repair? I thank God I found this web site early...everyone has been such an fantastic help!! Kimberly

I do not have high blood pressure or the others that you mentioned, but my GP wrote an wonderful letter to the surgeon and insurance co stating that my herniated discs, knee pain, and a few others were because of my obesity. I can't see the surgeon until I attend an informational meeting and that meeting is July 17th. I have had regular doctor visits so I am sure I will not have to go thru what you went thru. My only prayer right now is that things move right along after the 17th...I am anxious to start my new way of living and want to become a healthier happier me. Kimberly

Sarah, I got a copy of the letter that my GP sent to Mckee and to my insurance company...it was amazing! He outlined every diet I have been on in the last 8 years...I wonder if they will still insist that I do ANOTHER supervised diet for 6 months? I read thru all of Cigna's material and they do require a 6 month diet UNLESS you have documentation from another doc in the last 2 years. I am very fortunate to have the PCP that I do. I want so badly to be able to get started on my new way of living. Kimberly

I will keep you in my prayers that things move along with Cigna. I just received an incredible letter from my GP stating every diet I have been on in the last 8 years...I am hoping that will appease the insurance company and I will not have to go on ANOTHER supervised diet for 6 months. You keep us posted....Cigna has been very good to me and my family so I am praying that that continues. GOOD LUCK! Kimberly

I did call Cigna...they do require the 6 month diet...I have been on a 35 year diet...lol! I have been on diets with my GP...I wonder if they will accept that or ask that I start a new one with the surgeon. Once again I am a little concerned with lowering my BMI and loosing my chance of being accepted by Cigna. I know I can loose the weight, but my history shows I can not keep it off. If I knew they would accept my comorbidities than I would love to get started on something. From your posts you it sounds like you are more than happy with your choice. Thanks again. Kimberly

Thank you Janet for all your uplifting support, and congrats on your 100lb loss!!!! I am at the hurry up and wait stage. I am afraid to "loose" any weight for fear of going under 35 BMI. I have my info meeting July 17th then I can make my first appt. I just want to get started. It took me a long time to research and make sure this was for me. I can't wait to be able to report my one year out success! Kimberly

Sarah you are such a BIG help!! When I was pregnant with my son (8 years ago) I had dangerously high blood pressure..I just did not think something that happened so long ago would come into play. Are you suppose to fast for a blood sugar level test?? These are all good things to know. I am HUGE into research and being prepared...I have read and re-read everything I can get my hands on to make sure this is something for me. Once I made the decision to go with it I wanted to make sure I would get approved. Thanks yet again! Kimberly

Thanks Kerri, Now i just have to wait with baited breath for insurance approval. I have read through 35 pages of information from my insurance company (cigna) that all have to do with bariatric (sp) surgery. From what I read it could go either way. I keep reading about pb...i understand what it is but (i am sorry to get graphic...lol) is it like reflux? I have Gerd and it causes reflux and it is a lot like vomit. How will I know the difference? Thanks for the encouraging words...Kimberly

I was wondering how much my GP's referral letter would have to do with my approval. He was very supportive and is thrilled that I brought it up. He does not suggest them, but said I was an excellent candidate. I was concerned that my BMI would hold me back, but he said that with my herniated discs, knee joint pain, depression and stress incontinence would be the route we would take. Now it is "hurry up and wait". I can't attend my first "info" session until July 17th. Dennise, I LOVE YOUR QUOTE!! (definition of insanity) That says it all.. and yes I did have to change my name around...I had a problem logging in. Thanks again for your support and help. Kimberly

Hi Sarah, My PCP was incredible!! Not only was he supportive, but he said I would make a great candidate. Too bad it is up to the insurance company and not him..lol. He is going with my BMI of 36 and depression and all my "bone" issues. ie: herniated discs, knee joints, fallen arches etc. I am now just really concerned that my insurance co is going to be looking for blood pressure and diabetes. Does the letter from your PC come into play at all? I know Mckee's office will do the actual filing with the insurance co...do they file appeals if needed?? So you pay the $500 AFTER you're approved...what about all the meetings you attend ie: nutritionist, Dr. appts? Does that $500 cover the psyc tests? Are there any other hidden costs? $500 is a drop in the bucket compared to what I have spent in just the past year on diets and diet stuff. Sarah I hope I can look back in a year and help someone the way you have helped and supported me. Kimberly