I'm back!

Hi all - I'm back again after a long hiatus....I was all the way through the GB program with Kaiser in later 2009 and even had a date....but then I kept losing and losing on my own and the surgery was ill-advised...then I had a lot of family issues come up and of course, like every time in the past, I gained it all back.  I'm still travelling for work like a fiend, but when I get home in a couple of weeks I'm headed back to my doc to get the ball rolling again.  I hope they take me back. 

the big reason for my post here today, though, is to see if anyone hear has any experience going through the GB pre-op and getting an approvel with Cigna insurance.  We still have Kaiser where I work, but it might be discontinued next year, and I'd hate to go through their program only to have to leave them right before the surgery and start over.  I haven't seen much posted about Cigna --- I think the option we have is called Open Choice.--- and I know that 'regular' insurance companies are way different from Kaiser - I really like Kaiser and will hate to lose them if I have to.

Hope everone is having a nice weekend!

Cheers!
Mare

Welcome back Mare!

I am sorry I am not able to advice but I wanted to wish you all the best in your journey.  I hope that everything falls into place for you.  You should try calling Cigna and ask them what are their requirements for weight loss surgery.  

Have a fantastic weekend.

Cira

Thanks Cira- I remember you!

The good news is that Kaiser will take me back - first appt is June 2.  I'm back in the saddle again.  And I also discovered that Cigna has a 'continuation of care' provision that should make the transition easier - if I have to lose my Kasier in December...hope not, though!  :)

I'm back back back in the US for almost two weeks, and then I hop back to Spain for a week, but then I think I might actuall be home for a while.  Yay!

I hope you had a fantastic weekend - I sure did - I was in Paris (on my way home from Spain) and just wandered a bit, went up in the Tour Montparnesse, and strolled through the Musee d'Orsay.  But then Saturday night I went to a great club and saw an awesome concert - two bands I love, one of which will likely never play in the US - and they totally kicked butt!  It was a GREAT show!!! 

Cheerios!
Mare

Wow Mare!!!   That is fantastic news..  So glad to hear that they will take you back.  I am sure everything will fall into place for you.   Will you have to do the entire time or will they start you up where you left off?

What do you do for a living that you travel so much? One of my dreams is to travel to Paris and Spain. 
That concert must have been awesome.  Any pics to share of those beautiful places you visit?  
So when you say you will be home for a while how long will that be? 

Keep me posted on your progress. 

Take care,

Cira

Hi Cira,

I'm typing as I sit in the BA lounge at the JFK airport wiating for my flight later tonight - and looking forward to falling aqsleep as soon as we take off!

The first appt went just fine and dandy and my next two are already set up.  I do have to go through the whole 6 months again, but that's OK with me --- it's great for getting your mind prepared along with your body.  My Kaiser friends have been working hard at making the program simpler and better while I've been gone, and I'm happy to see the changes...

First, I can choose my doc and hospital from three qualtity Baltimore programs --- St. Agnes, Hopkins, and GBMC.  Next, they are now fully integrated with each of the three programs, and I can pick the one I want and get enrolled with them before I finish the KP program completely, so I can basically get a date as soon as I finish the KP program.  Finally, they are now covering VSG in addition to RNY and Band.  I was on the RNY path before as no way did I want to fuss with the band, and on top of that, my doc back then said that RNY is generally more successful than the band in patients who caryy their weight all over ---- as opposed to just in their midsection.  But I'm curious about the VSG, and am researching all I can, because at first glance, it seems much simpler, and it gets rid of that excess/unused stomach --- something I was OK with, with RNY, but frankly I always thought it was a little odd to just leave it there.  In any case, I'm really happy with the changes.

As for what I do, I am a Sr. Project Manager for McCormick & Co. and I run all over the place to our worldwide locations.  I used to implement SAP, but now we are all implemented, so I'm in a business support role now --- helping the subsidiary companies improve their processes once they get used to the new way of life with SAP.  It can certainly be grueling (my last trip was 8 weeks) but I love it.

I'm always working a lot - during the implemenation phase that was 6 or 7 days a week, every week, but I try to sneak some time here and there to see where I am.  In 2009 I had a tiny apartment in Spain and ran all around on the weekends when I could --- from taking a sailing lesson in the Mediterranean Sea to taking the funicular as for as it would go, then climbing up up up to almost the top of Monserrat......I do have pics, but funny, not as many as you might think, especially considering when I'm not at my day job you may well find me in a church on Saturday doing a wedding ---- my other life is that I'm a pro photographer.

I'd be happy to post a couple of pics if I knew how, LOL.....I'm good on Facebook, but I have no clue how to post pics on this site, LOL....

This trip is a super quickie - I'm back on the 11th and heading right to my department's summer picnic.  After that I'm homebound for a while....it will be a nice change, LOL!

Finally, my other realization, which came quite out of the blue, was that even if my company drops KP next time, and I have to go with Cigna on Jan 1, 2012,  I can just COBRA my KP coverage for one, two three months, whatever I need.  Yes, COBRA is expensive, but my FSA covers it and I would be much better off than messing around trying to get hooked up with a new ins co who certainly will have different requirements from KP - everbody has a different way of handling it.

One of these days I'll get to a MD/PA OH event to meet you adn some other cool people here!

Cheerios!
Mare

Good moining Mare,

I am just reading your message. I am sorry it took me so long to respond. Frankly I have 1,012 messages to sift through and I just found yours.  By the time you get this message you will probably be home from your trip.  Wow!  what an exciting job you have. Traveling all over the world and sight seeing I know you love it!  I know you must be looking forward to not have to travel for a bit. It will be a good time to start getting yourself conditioned for this wonderful journey that you are about to embark.

I am so happy that everything is going to work out just fine.  Those three locations that you have a choice to pick which doctor to go with is excellent.  Nothing is more exciting to know that you have FSA that will cover COBRA.   I totally agree with you I would have done the same as well. 
It's great to put all your ducks in a row.  :)

It's very easy to put photos on the OH site.  I can walk you through it if you like, just let me know.  I am on Facebook please friend me there at [email protected] .

My goal is to make it to one of the OH Event as well to meet all these wonderful people that has inspired me through the last 4 years of this great journey.  Hopefully you will be there as well.

Please keep in touch and let me know how everything is going along. Take care and make sure to take time to rest a bit and enjoy Summer.

Take care,

Cira