Hi All - I am new and need some help.

I am trying to figure out if I can have my 1st appt this year and still have surgery this year. My 1st appt. is next week 6/21. I have Cigna insurance. They require the 6 months supervised diet. So based on what I am reading I am thinking maybe I can but I wanted to find out what you guys thing (I know this is just advice and I will verify with dr. and insurance).

Originally I thought 1st appt 6/21 so my 6 mo. would be complete 12/21. Based on that and submitting for surgery etc. my surgery wouldnt be til the beginning of next year and a new deductable. But it sounds like this may work

1st appt: 6/21

2nd appt: 7/15ish

3rd appt: 8/10ish

4th appt: 9/6ish

5th appt: 10/1ish

6th appt: 11/1

So in theory since I could get 6 appts in 6 different months could I really get this done around Thanksgiving? Anyone with knowledge or experience with this with Cigna please let me know how it worked for you.

Thanks so much!

It is possible. I started my 6 month dr appt the end of October and am having surgery on the 27th of this month. I had my final 6th appt the end of April and wish I would have started all my surgery pre op stuff before that final appt so it would have taken less time. I did have my appt's with my primary care doctor so that might make a difference too. Are you going to do it through your regular doc or the surgeon's office??

I had my initial appt with surgeon the beginning of May and just got my approval 2 days ago.

I hope this helps - let me know if you have any questions!

I also have Cigna and was just sleeved on June 8th, my first visit of the 6 mos was in December and May was my last visit. My package was submitted on May 17th and approved on the 20th, so I could have scheduled surgery the next week, however I had to plan for time off from work so I waited until June. However my point is you should be able to schedule in November, or at least the first week or so of December since November will be you 6mos...hope that helps good luck

Hi Carrierae,

I will be going in next week for my first of the 6 month appointments in order to get Cigna to cover (hopefully!) my sleeve. I am going to schedule my 6 appts each so they fall into a different month as you are doing. I am not sure what to expect during each appt. Will I have to go to WW, Jenny Craig etc., just to prove I am trying to lose weight?? I really have no clue. Is there a place on this forum that discusses it in more detail, those that have to go thru Cigna's hoops? Thanks! And good luck!

Mynde

So I found out when I went to surgeon that diet doesnt have to be supervised by the surgeon. I for some reason thought it did. That is good news. All that work my PCP and I have put in isnt for nothing. Weight off shoulders! Silly me!

Cigna guidlines dont require a calendar month......just that you see a doctor once a month for 6 months. It does have to be your primary care physician and there are certain things that have to be tried before approval. I will have my 5th visit this month. I have lost 32lbs :cheer2: :cheer2: because I am dedicated to changing my eating habits and I exercise. My surgeons office gave me a packet for my primary care. My doctor thinks I can lose it on my own. Believe me I have wavered a bit because I do feel in control now. I am not sure how I will feel with the slow progress with normal diets. It is very discouraging when I work hard but dont lose.

I will be looking to get approved sometime in August. Hopefully mine will take a few days! I was disappointed when I had to wait but it is almost over.:clap2: