higgikd1

Hi, there! I, too am fighting with Cigna. My husband is a nurse at a local hospital chain here in Tucson, and Cigna policy specifically states that lapband and ANY type of weight loss program is NOT covered. They just denied me, even though I have met ALL the requirements, done all the preop "hoop jumping". To add insult to injury, they also state that they have a NO APPEAL PROCESS. I don't like to take No for an answer, so I am doing my homework on the cost for overweight healthcare workers just to add to my letter to see if that might shake them up. Doubt it, but everything is worth a try. Good luck to you. :eek:

11/05/2010 Well, it's official...Cigna denied my request for lapband and even has a "No Appeal" process in place. What a bummer! I expected them to say no, but I thought I would just keep appealing. Would love to know if anyone else had this problem with "No Appeal" and if you were able to get them to overturn it. :cursing:

10/17/2010 Well I am now officially getting bummed about not hearing ANYTHING from the hospital where I saw the MD, did the psych eval, saw the nutritionist x 2, have called 3 times, e-mailed them 2 times and NOTHING!!! I have decided not to get super discouraged, but find myself not wanting to write in my food journal consistently, "thinking" about exercising now, and in general, just feeling kind of discouraged. I know from the other blogs, etc. that sometimes it can take a LOOOOOOONG time for this to happen, but would really like some sort of response from Cigna and/or the hospital. Will keep "shaking the tree" until I hear. :thumbup:

Hi! I live in Tucson, AZ and Dr. Carlos Galvani is here at the University of Arizona doing the lapband surgery. I liked him when I met him for my initial consult and have gone through all the "hoop jumping" of nutritional counseling, psychological testing, etc. but have heard NOTHING from the clinic. I have called and left 3 messages, but I am really expecting a fight from CIGNA insurance because of a clause which specifically states that no employees or their families can have any kind of treatment pertaining to obesity...Isn't that unfair? Good luck to you.

Hi! I just heard about this hypnosis therapy versus lapband myself today and am wondering about it. I have been "pretending" I have already had the surgery for about the last month and have actually changed some of my eating behaviors (i.e. smaller plate, baby utensils, writing food down in a diary, exercising, etc.) and have lost some weight. I am pretty sure my insurance will deny me at least once, so I guess perhaps I am "gearing up" in case they deny me totally. What do bandsters think about this hypnosis therapy?:drool:

09/27/2010 Well, I am now officially in the "waiting stage" to see I insurance will really approve me. It seems SO SLOW!!! I called Melissa at my surgeon's office and she said she would get all the paperwork in, but that was 2 weeks ago. I know these things take time, but in the meantime, I am still "pretending" that I already got the lapband and am still writing food down in my diary, eating off smaller plates with baby utensils, and have lost well over 10 pounds in the process. However, I would really like to just get approved and get on with it. The other blogger's stories of their waits, etc. have really been helpful for me. Trying to stay pro-active!:smile:

09/08/2010 Wow! Today I saw the nutritionist for the second time. Saw her 2 weeks ago and she gave me some great info. I have been writing down everything I eat (gulp!) and making myself get a little bit of exercise by walking around my neighborhood for 15-20 mins. Well, guess what? I actually lost 10 pounds just by doing that for 2 weeks. I told her that I was a "professional weight loser", just don't seem to be able to keep it off. The more I investigate this whole lapband thing, the more I desperately want it and KNOW that it is the right thing for me. I will keep you posted on my fight with the insurance company to get this surgery. I told them I even wanted to be the spokesperson for this hospital's bariatric surgery center. :wink:

I have just started eating oatmeal and before I just could NOT believe that one of those little packets was ACTUALLY a serving!! (Ha!). Now I make it in a little bowl and eat it with my tiny sterling silver baby spoon and chew, chew, chew. Stays with me for a loooooong time.

08/29/2010 OK, so I AM SO IMPRESSED WITH MYSELF!!! I have been keeping a food log/diary to take back to the nutritionist, AND (get this!), I just came back from a 20 minute brisk walk around my neighborhood!!!! I can't remember the last time I did ANY type of actual exercise that wasn't house work or gardening or moving furniture!!! I am really using this time to get ready for the lapband and am just determined that Cigna WILL approve me. :scared2:

Hey, all! I went for a plastic surgery consultation a few years ago (was still fat then, too!), but for the cost, I decided to restore an old MGB that I had stored for 20+ years. Will STILL get the plastic surgery done eventually and am all in favor of "better living through surgery..." if it is what someone wants and can afford. :thumbup:

Hey, everyone! Lovin' the fact that those of us "Over 50" have such a cool group. Count me in! I am pre-op, having just had the (I hope) last of the steps I need to take before praying that Cigna approves me. I will keep you all posted.

Bklynike - Working with the public is one of THE most stressful things a person can do! I think your insight into what the old you would have done (eat over it), versus what the new you does is just like money in the bank. With the skills you have learned interacting with the public, I can't imagine that you couldn't get a MUCH better job where folks actually APPRECIATE you! Keep you chin up and remember, most folks who are raging at you are really raging at a ton of other things BUT YOU...you just get to hear it!