Hello all, I am new here. My PCP broached the subject of bariatric surgery recently. I am pretty interested. Has anyone dealt with this insurance company recently and bariatric surgery? When I called they told me the first step is to do 12 months of a documented weight loss program before anything else related to surgery. Timing wise, I found this a bit discouraging- as I have time intensive goals next september. Anyone have experience going through Horizon NJ Health? Thanks.

Dr. Neff is my surgeon as well ...My final nutritionist appt is Dec 23rd then I go back to see him and schedule my surgery date. Super excited! It's been a long journey but it'll be so worth it in the end!! Best of luck everyone!!

I had Docter Goldstein also nov 19th he is wonderful. He did my sleeve. I started in June had all my insurance stuff done by aug approve and now am done. It will be 3 weeks Tuesday I am feeling great !

I had Docter Goldstein also nov 19th he is wonderful. He did my sleeve. I started in June had all my insurance stuff done by aug approve and now am done. It will be 3 weeks Tuesday I am feeling great !

Hello! Congrats to you! How was your recovery experience?

I went in Tuesday out Wednesday first 3 days a little sore getting up from chair on my left side, but 5th day pretty good , am bore not doing anything he dosn't want to do anything but walk . I watch grand kids and clean two days a week, he said absolutely not , so am on a mini vacation I do get hiccups here and there

Congrats on your surgery!!! I am so glad to hear you are doing well. I am going a little nuts between the Christmas shopping and the surgery shopping and I am pricing proteins rinks out at stores like ShopRite and Walmart and Walgreens because I don't want to be dependent on delivery schedules and stuff... Plus I am forgetful and I know I will just forget to order and have no "food" at some point. LOL @Thick n Thin... How are things coming along with you? Did you get insurance approval yet? Did you start you 2 week pre op? ... How is it going? Keep me posted hon .... Talk to everyone soon!!

Congrats on your surgery!!! I am so glad to hear you are doing well. I am going a little nuts between the Christmas shopping and the surgery shopping and I am pricing Proteins rinks out at stores like ShopRite and Walmart and Walgreens because I don't want to be dependent on delivery schedules and stuff... Plus I am forgetful and I know I will just forget to order and have no "food" at some point. LOL @Thick n Thin... How are things coming along with you? Did you get insurance approval yet? Did you start you 2 week pre op? ... How is it going? Keep me posted hon .... Talk to everyone soon!!

I started me prop diet yesterday. had a growing headache last night from the caffeine withdrawel I think (though I had cut down to a tiny cup a day before this). Slept for like 9+ hours last night, feel good right now.

I called the doctors office to check on my approval yesterday, not so much because I anticipate a problem, but cause every here seems to do it.,..lol. Lorie said it was submitted a bit over a week ago and she anctipiates getting the authorization in the next couple days and will contact me.

Hey everyone, quick question. I spoke with Lori at Dr. Neff's office yesterday and since my final appt with the nut is Dec 23rd she requested I call her as soon as I finish that day and she will submit all of my paperwork to Cigna to begin the approval process. Meanwhile, I am scheduled to meet with Dr. Neff on January 2nd to schedule my surgery and she's hoping to have my approval by then. That being the case, how far out do you think my vsg will be scheduled? I'm hoping to have my surgery by the end of January but Lori said they usually schedule about a month to a month & a half out. Just curious if anyone has any insight...thxs!

Hi Time4... I had my appt with Dr Neff on November 21st and scheduled my surgery that day and my surgery is scheduled for December 30th .... I was originally offered December 23rd but I couldn't do it because of Christmas. So that is about one month out. I hope this helps.

Hey there ThicknThin.... I am going to call Lori tomorrow and see where I am with submitting and approval. I did everything I was supposed to, but I just realized I am assuming the other Drs sent everything in a timely manner... And you know what they say about assuming...LOL... Fingers crossed for me!!! I'll keep you guys posted!!

Thick and thin I live in nj got sleeve 9/30/2013 my insurance was blue cross blue shield and that horizon I started this journey in April this year I saw dr nausbum he is one of New Jersey best in Livingston nj, but by June this year the insurance won't pay for the surgery at the hospital he was doing it at. That was very depressing for me so I called up the insurance company and I was to where they would pay for the surgery had to transfer to New York Methodist to dr georiki he is great my cousin did it with him she is 120 pounds. Loss I chose him because my cousin did it with him. And when I saw him for the first time he schedule my surgery right away because I had most if the pre ops done already by September I was sleeve and I am 2 months post op and I lost 56 pounds so far from a size 22 jeans to size 16 and from 2x/3x tops to large I feel great my aim is a size 10 jeans just do ur research tho a lot and talk to people who done it good luck

Hey everyone, quick question. I spoke with Lori at Dr. Neff's office yesterday and since my final appt with the nut is Dec 23rd she requested I call her as soon as I finish that day and she will submit all of my paperwork to Cigna to begin the approval process. Meanwhile, I am scheduled to meet with Dr. Neff on January 2nd to schedule my surgery and she's hoping to have my approval by then. That being the case, how far out do you think my vsg will be scheduled? I'm hoping to have my surgery by the end of January but Lori said they usually schedule about a month to a month & a half out. Just curious if anyone has any insight...thxs!

I had my preop appointment Nov 27th and was scheduled for Dec 23rd. I may have been able to get an appointment sooner but I was not available before Dec 21st.

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I really appreciate it! Unfortunately I'm currently going threw some trails & tribulations at work (boss has been treating me like a second class citizen since the day she found out about my surgery) so I really need to try and move forward asap before I resign and change insurance companies. I never realized till now how evil & hostile some ppl are when it comes to this, so sad!!

Hi all-I have horizon insurance, but I live in Philly, has anyone gone go dr Noel Williams at Penn?

Well folks, all the wishing, hoping, and preparation and my day is finally coming tomorrow. I have to be at the hospital at 8am tomorrow. All this worry about being approved for the sleeve and getting a date in between semesters has turned into a bit of anxiety and second guessing. Perfectly normal reaction but I trust that my motivation and reasons were solid before the 12th hour has arrived- and it is the best decision for me, no matter how much I want to go down to the chinese buffet today!

Hi guys...I was sleeved 11/19/13 with Dr. Goldstein. I went home the next day. I had minor complications but all in all everything has been good. I can actually say that I feel good and as of today I've lost 30lbs. It's been a complete lifestyle change but I love the challenge and see the fruits of my labor in the mirror. No regrets so far. Good luck to everyone!