AliciaA122

We're going for two weeks Dec 22-Jan 5. We'll be up north, near Inverness, but may take the train down to Glasgow or Edinburgh for a day. My husband is a Scottish immigrant and his mum and brother still live in the UK, so we visit every couple of years. Unfortunately, twice this year because my father-in-law passed away in April. I've never actually been to Glasgow, but really want to visit and check out some of the art galleries (and maybe some shopping!) Sounds like you had a long, fun trip!

I love M&S and forgot about them having their little shops in the train stations. Excellent suggestion, thanks! I know I'll be able to find some healthy foods at Tesco too, just need to steer clear of all of my calorie-laden favorites there as well. And I love Pimm's too!

Thanks for that Amanda! Where did you visit in Scotland, if you don't mind me asking? We're going there in December and I'm debating whether to try to buy Protein powder/drinks there or maybe ship some fave powder on ahead to my mother-in-law's house. I'll probably be newly sleeved (hopefully having surgery next month!) And I'll definitely be sure to get my surgeon to write me a letter to have for security here and in the UK. Glad your trip seemed to be pretty hitch-free!

This is very helpful! I'll be travelling to Scotland for Christmas and will probably be pretty newly sleeved, no idea when my surgery will be. Just as long as Tesco or Asda has some Protein options I'll be fine! But it's not a bad idea to maybe ship some of my favorites on ahead of us to be there for me.

Did you find out anything? We were submitted around the same time. Of course, my surgeon's office left out information so mine has been delayed.

I have Cigna and was told mine is in nurse review as well. Of course, it's in review and I should know something this week. Meanwhile, my surgeon up and quit on Friday so I have to find a new surgeon. Mine will probably get messy!

I called Cigna today. I was told they received my information yesterday from my surgeon's office and my case is now in nurse review. A decision should be made in 24-72 business hours. So, that's my timeline. I'll be calling everyday until I know something.

I have Cigna too. My requirements were all done last week but my surgeon's office has yet to submit my package to them. I'm still waiting. Hopefully you'll get an approval soon!

I talked to my surgeon's office today and was told they received the notes/referral from my PCP this morning. After doing a cursory glance she said it looked like they had everything they needed. My surgeon just needs to review my PCP's reports and then everything will be submitted to Cigna. Ugh. I'm so nervous. I hate waiting.

Still, you're approved! So that's a major relief at least!

wish I'd seen that in May! I heard about it being changed but couldn't find the official policy at the time. Would have saved me two months of visits!

Oh yikes! I have Cigna. This is scaring me. Had my last of my 6 month doctor's visit's today and have done the nutritionist and psych evals. Hopefully my surgeon's office will be able to submit everything this week or next. I'll stay on them and Cigna!

I have Cigna too and I've also heard the 3 month thing. I know there is a 3 month multi-disciplanry diet you can do (or used to be able to do) that's more intense than a 6 month PCP diet. I had my last PCP appointment today in my 6 month diet. I have done all the other requirements, so now it's on to Cigna for approval... well, after my PCP writes his report and notes. Fingers crossed for you Emily! Update us on how it turns out.

I'll tell you that there is a wide range of what the psych evals entail. Mine was not about behavior modification, well, there was a little of that, maybe 5 minutes. Mine was more about my life history, trauma, weight issues, a little bit of everything. I have heard where others have to take tests. Others get asked strange questions. So, it could be anything!

I'm way late to this, but thought I'd throw in my opinion and experience. My husband and I tried to conceive for a couple of years on our own with no success. We went to a fertility specialist and began testing. At the same time I began looking into Lap Band. My fertility specialist AND primary doctor both told me to try to get pregnant first and then pursue WLS. I was 31 when I began fertility treatments. However, my fertility specialist told me that by having the surgery I would be taking another large chunk out of my fertile years. He could find no reason that my weight was affecting my fertility and as it was we were undiagnosed. We began treatments including Clomid, injectable meds and IUIs. We conceived our daughter on an 'off cycle' after an IUI cycle. She's 14 months old and I'm now very close to having my sleeve surgery. SO GLAD I listened to my doctors. Also, to the previous poster who commented that you can just adopt and that there are so many babies who need homes. If only it were that easy. Adoption is painfully slow, definitely not a guarantee and very expensive. You can't 'just adopt.'

If you don't mind me asking, why were you denied 6 times? Was it a lack of documented weight history?

Good luck! I have Aetna too and am just starting the process. I just met with the surgeon yesterday and have to decide if I want to do the 6 month doctor supervised diet or the 3 month multi-disciplinary program. If I do the 6 I figure I’d be banded late October/ or November. I can’t decide which to do… so I’m calling the place that runs the 3 month program today for further details. I'm leaning toward the 3month because it would mean being banded sooner and that's a good thing. But we'll see.

Wow Larry! That's phenomenal. 102 pounds in 5 months?! Good for you!

I haven’t had the surgery, but your weight loss sounds very good to me… and normal or above normal, I’d assume. The goal they gave us at my seminar is to lose 1-2 pounds a week and you’ve lost 4.5 pounds a week!

Thank you so much! Your post is chock full of very good information. I really appreciate you taking the time to share it with me. I am hopeful that if my weight is what’s preventing us from conceiving then this surgery will help us.

Hi! A little about me. I am Alicia, 30 years old, from central Virginia, married to a great guy who is very supportive and loving. I am just at the very beginning of this process. I have attended a seminar, done a lot of reading and lurking here, and have an appointment with the surgeon a week from tomorrow. My insurance has the WLS rider. I am currently around 310. :biggrin: I need to lose a lot of weight, 150+ to be at a normal weight. But, my own personal goal is to be at the 200 mark. I have a number of motivating factors, but the biggest one is to start a family. My husband and I have been trying to conceive (off and on with breaks) for about 2 years. I have an appointment with a fertility specialist in June to find out exactly what is going on with me, though I’m pretty convinced I have PCOS due to all my symptoms. My PCP says I should try to have a baby before WLS, but I want to pursue both concurrently and see where it leads. I know I will have to do a 3-6 month supervised program for insurance purposes, so that will allow me to meet with the fertility specialist and get his opinion. I’ve probably shared too much. But, that’s me. I look forward to this journey and am excited at the prospect of shedding the pounds.

Congrats to you, K! 20 pounds is still...20 pounds gone and closer to your goal. That must feel good!

I too enjoy a beer every now and then and have 2 diet pepsis a day! I know I’ll have to give them up if/when I am banded. But, I’m willing to do it for the sake of my health. J My hubby suggested I could just let them get flat before drinking…hah!

I’ve been wondering about this myself. There is some good info (and opinions) in the Realize band forum. You may want to check that out. I plan on deferring to my surgeon, when I eventually and hopefully get to that point. But, from what I heard them say at the seminar it’s based on patient opinion… they’ll give you what you ask for. So, I don’t know!