New Here - ThinnerTimes

sasha23 · 04-22-2008, 06:49 PM

hello everyone, i wanted to introduce myself to everyone. i am just getting started in this process and still not sure if this is what i want to do. i did make the first step and called the doctor's office. you have to complete their packet and mail it back before they will call you to set up an appointment. I have to call my insurance company (CIGNA), and get the criteria for them to pay for the surgery; get a letter of support and medical clearance from my PCP; my medical records from the past 3-5 years (i plan to include my ob/gyn and allergist. my allergist prescribed me medication for acid reflux); physician assisted weight loss and a copy of my insurance card. i have to purchase a packet for gastric bypass for $25. the packet also states that it would schedule an appt. to meet with a psychologist and nutritionist and that insurance usually doesn't cover it, but if it had been done previously, i wouldn't have to repeat it. i am thinking that since my insurance does cover these visits, i may initiate them on my own, so i won't have to pay them.

the only thing i think i will have a problem with is that i don't have any physician assisted weight loss. i've done many things over the years, but never physician assisted. i have discussed my weight issues tons of times with my doctor. i plan to meet with my ob/gyn tomorrow morning to discuss my plans and my upcoming hysterectomy.

i have read some post for the past few days before i decided to sign up and post. i love forward to tons of advice.

G-LO · 04-22-2008, 08:29 PM

did you ever keep a journal? did you ever do weight watchers? did you ever join a gym?

I was taken through hoops to get my surgery done.I also have cigna.

What i did after getting denied multiple times. I decided to start a scrapbook.
I went into my storage and found old diet pills i use to take and weight watcher journals. I also joined a gym for 3 years so i had bank records that showed a monthly payment to the gym. I then took out photo albums and got pictures of my self through out the years.

I then got all of this and put them in a scrapbook i showed how no mtter what i tried I was never able to lose the weight. Say you dont have medical supervised letters because you never thought in a million years you would be at the point you are now. You never thought You would be trying to get gastric bypass. Say every diet you tried you were hoping it was going to be "the one".

Thats what i ended up doing. I also got letters from love ones that talk about how they seen me try and try.

You have to really butter it up girl. When i did that they told me they had never seen anyone go to that length to get approved and they ended up approving me on the spot.

I hope this helps or atleast encourages you to not take NO for an answer. You have to work hard. I got denied about 6x. so hang in there.

greg

pebitpeb · 04-23-2008, 04:07 AM

Welcome Sasha, I think that you are starting off on the right track to get info and into the thinking about the operation. It really is something that can change your life and make it a much better one.

Did you happen to get a look at the 13 minute portion of 60 minutes from this past Sunday, a very encouraging piece of journalism, if you didn't check out the CBS site for 60 Minutes on Gastric Bypass, it might help a little.

I wish you all the best in getting everything together and sounds as though you know what you are doing. The previous post was good in encouraging persistance and not giving up if you run into any hurdles and also use this site for questions, support or even chat is available.

All the best to you.

pebitpeb
Paul

Godsblessedme · 04-23-2008, 07:57 AM

my particular insurance was a stickler when it came to medically supervised. All the gyms, WW, etc do not count for the most part. They want an actual physician supervised program. I would seriously look into it and i agree if you dont get the answer you want appeal appeal appeal. I won my appeal and i'm 4 months post op

sasha23 · 04-23-2008, 07:50 PM

No, I have not kept a food journal. I joined the YMCA back in 2004 and still have the membership at home. I purchased a treadmill last year, so I don't go as much. I have at different times discussed my weight issues with my PCP, but nothing physician assisted.

sasha23 · 04-23-2008, 07:52 PM

no, i didn't catch the 6 minutes program on sunday, but i will be sure to check that out online.