Hey Guys & Gals! I'm new to this site, and I must say I am already loving it. So much info and support. I have not received a surgery date. I am having to do the 6 months medical side first, Thanks alot Cigna! lol I have 3 appts. (months) left. My Surgeon is looking towards November for Surgery, I am excited. I've done my sleep study, endoscopy, psych evaluation (apparently I'm just fat, not fat and crazy) hehehehe.

I am looking forward in my journey, and the new me and I would love to share my journey with you guys as you share yours. Any advice or tips to prepare or anything you want to share with me is greatly appreciated!

Is there anyone here from the Charlotte, NC area or surrounding areas?

TTYL, L

Hi! I am from Fayetteville nc I also have to do 6 months so how is your 6 months going.

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I'm new to the site also. Just had my surgery 3 weeks ago today and I'm doing great! I'm in Salisbury nc....about 30 miles north of Charlotte. Your 6 months will fly ny...I only had to do 3 months but it really for go much quicker than expected.

Hi to both of you. I've only lost around 13 lbs so far, I need to work harder! But, I think the more important thing is I am eating ALOT healthier than I had been. I have learned so much in the 3 months so far, I just need to work on my exercising, that's my hardest thing. Congrats on the surgery "cjoyce", how has it been post op?

Recovery was not that bad....the first day or 2 home was rough but I have a 5 yr old & 18 month old....daddy took them to grandma's the next morning though. I feel completely 'normal' now and have since about a week and a half out....no longer feel anything when getting up/down or turning over in bed. I was back at work less than 2 weeks after surgery....I cannot complain about my recovery at all!! I lost 25 lbs before surgery and have lost another 22 since...47 total - yay! I had protein drinks for the first 2 weeks - glad that's over that was probably the worst part! On limited foods now...higher, cheese, etc and get to add fish next week and slowly all meats over the next couple weeks. I hope your recovery goes as smoothly as mine!!!

Hey, I am in Spartanburg SC...just a little south of Charlotte. I am finishing my 3 mos. of weight loss next monday... hoping to get surgery set up for Aug 6th. I am praying to get this done and over with so I can finally move on with actually living my life!!

Welcome to the group, they are great with info and sharing experiences.... has helped me a lot with how to prepare, what not to do and what to expect.

Hey! I'm from Charleston SC. And I also have Cigna! Lol nice to meet you and the rest of y'all! I'm just waiting for approval! Once I get that...i get a surgery date!!

Welcome to the group... Yes we have a lot of info here.

Hi Lydia! I loveee visiting Charleston! How long have you been waiting on approval? Just wondering how long Cigna usually takes. Anyone else know?

Hi Lydia! I loveee visiting Charleston! How long have you been waiting on approval? Just wondering how long Cigna usually takes. Anyone else know?

Charleston is WONDERFUL! But I've been waiting for about 3 weeks. But MUSC said that Cigna is one of their slowest insurance companies. So I was like great! still pending, and I'm not a patient person. So this waiting is driving me crazy! Lol

So I had my appt with the Surgical Dietician and my Resting Metabolic Rate test this week, he cleared me for surgery and the test went well. He said my rate was 17%, which is great... the norm is 10%, so that's a good thing.

Now all I have left are the Aug and Sept appts with my Nutritionist to complete my 6 months and the paperwork can go to Cigna.... I am getting excited!

Hi L Belle. Double check with Cigna on 6 vs 3 months weight management. They changed their requirement in May to 3 months within the last 12 months. I did 6, but found this out when I had to switch doctors recently. I got approval yesterday, a week after it was submitted. Surgery is September 10. I'm in Southern California, but you can look it up on Cigna.com or call to confirm. If you call, be forewarned different reps tell you different things. You might be all done!!!

Hi L Belle. Double check with Cigna on 6 vs 3 months weight management. They changed their requirement in May to 3 months within the last 12 months. I did 6, but found this out when I had to switch doctors recently. I got approval yesterday, a week after it was submitted. Surgery is September 10. I'm in Southern California, but you can look it up on Cigna.com or call to confirm. If you call, be forewarned different reps tell you different things. You might be all done!!!

OMG Thanks for that Info. I am calling today!!!

Let is know what you find out. Here's the link to the coverage policy. If all your ducks are in a row, Cigna is very quick to respond wih an approval. Good luck!!!

http://www.cigna.com/assets/docs/health-care-professionals/coverage_positions/mm_0051_coveragepositioncriteria_bariatric_surgery.pdf

Thanks to the info from Maria, Cigna did in fact change to 3 months instead of 6. I spoke with my Surgeon's office and the paperwork is going to Cigna by the end of the week, instead of me having to wait until the end of September!! I am sooooo excited!!

Yeah!! Double check to make sure you have all of the other requirements too. They slightly changed as well, but nothing too major. Now your medical doctor not only has to clear you, but also RECOMMEND you for surgery. You will also need an evaluation/letter from a nutritionist. Don't give Cigna any chance to deny you and keep us posted! Cigna will call your surgeon with the approval before you get your letter. :-))