Hi Everyone - I'm new and very excited

I had my 2nd mtg with Nancy today.  My original weight in Nov was 286.  I'm now down to 277 and have 5 lbs more to lose before surgery.  I have my 1st appointment with Dr. Wagner on tues the 24th.  I still have a way to go though because I have cigna insurance, and they make you have 6mos worth of notes from a primary care provider.  I've gone through 2 months so far.  Anyone else out there have any experience with cigna?  How about any ideas on excercise programs in the portsmouth area?  Thanks for any input!!

Julie

Hi Julie, and welcome.  You are doing fabulous so far.  Keep up the good work.  I know of one other person who has Cigna, and is having to wait the 6 months, even though she did weigh****chers under her doctor's supervision for over a year.  So just keep losing, because the more you lose now, the less you have to lose after surgery.  Are you having lap band or RNY?

Really?  A year under docs supervision with WW and she was denied?  Wow.  Does it have to be within the last year.  For my insurance it has to be within the last year so I'm hoping I'm ok.  I have my first meeting with DMHC in Lebanon next friday. 

If your BMI goes below 40 with weight loss does that disqualify you? 

She still has to go through the six months.  I have heard others say the same thing.  Cigna is really strict about that.   Usually if your BMI goes under 40 you can still have the surgery, especially if you have co-morbidities.  It takes quite a lot to get below 40 for most people though.

Hello Julie,

I am a lucky person who has CIGNA (do you hear my sarcasm?)  I also had to have 6 months of a Dr. supervised diet/exercise/visits.  That was easy because I was still researching the surgery.  You need to make sure that your Dr. notes are VERY detailed.  CIGNA is VERY unorganized.  They denied me saying I didn't send in all the required info. when I sent in and did more than enough to be approved.  I had DHMC send it in again, and again and again.  Yes, 3 times.  I ended up getting my husband's HR mgr. involved and she took control.  She found a person with a fax in her office and finally got ALL the info.  So, eventually I was approved and when they sent me my approval letter saying I was approved for LAP BAND!  ARGH!  Anyway, they fixed that.  I'm rambling here.....Oh, also when I got my EOB they denied 1 night of the hospital stay (even though it was approved) so I had to call them and they fixed it.  Just another example of how unorganized they are.  There were other problems like this that I won't get into.

Anyway, good luck with everything.  Let me know if you have any other questions.  I'm in Hooksett, so I can't answer your exercise question.

Lisa

I have CIGNA also.  Six months is the rule.  Go to their website and download the insurance requirements.  When the surgeon sent the "package" in for approal in January for me, it only took 2 days to get the approval. 

All the the medical fols will tell you that CIGNA is the hardest to work with and will start you over on the 6 months if all your ducks aren't in a row.  I recommend you keep a notebook of everything you've done, who've you spoken with, and any upcoming milestones you need to meet.  Good documentation is your best defense against a health care company that may be predisposed to denials.

Thanks everyone!  
I have decided to go with the RNY. 

 I am going to my Dr. for my 3rd monthly appt on the 2nd, and when I do I am going to ask for a copy of her documentation up to date and give it to Gail to make sure it will meet the requirements. 

I'm looking foward to meeting w/ Dr. Wagner because I really want to have my head in the right place going into this.

I am going to the support meeting on monday nite too.

Julie

That is good you are going to the meeting.  We will see you there.

Hi Julie!

Welcome! You're doing great! Keep up the good work! I don't have Cigna, and from what I'm hearing I guess I'm glad for that!
I'll also be at the meeting Monday!
I go to Planet Fitness in Rochester, Dover and Concord...I'm sure there is one in Portsmouth, but I don't know where?
Best wishes!!

Diane

yes I believe there is one in Portsmouth.  I will look it up on line.  Thanks!!!!