HELP!!! I need to find a DS surgeon. I have Cigna.

LaShelle2
on 12/8/08 12:55 am - STOCKBRIDGE, GA

WELL, KENNESTONE IS ALSO A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE, MAYBE THEY'RE ADDING KENNESTONE TO THE LIST. I'LL CHECK ON THIS AND KEEP YOU POSTED. I ALSO HEARD IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO GET IT COVERED AS OUT OF NETWORK, OR GET SPECIAL CLEARANCE SINCE THERE IS NO OTHER DR IN GA THAT DOES THE DS. IF ALL ELSE FAILS, I THINK I'LL JUST PUT ON MY TRAVEL LING SHOES AND PLAN ON SOME FREQUENT DRIVER MILES TO CHARLOTTE, NC. THE ONE PLUS ABOUT IT IS I WONT HAVE AS MANY POST OP VISITS AS THE BAND REQUIRES. I WILL BE SOOOOOO HAPPY WHEN THIS IS ALL OVER WITH.

               **** I AM AN OH SUPPORT GROUP LEADER ****
WHY I CHOSE DS: No dumping. Highest percentage of weight loss, Best long term results, Won't regain weight! Eat normal sized meals, 96% diabeties, 90% high blood pressure, 80% sleep apnea cured.                                    I  MY DS!
My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four unless there were three other people.    ~Orson Wells

talksoupslp
on 12/8/08 1:04 am

RNY on 05/06/09

If Kennestone is a Center of Excellence, it would be a matter of them contacting Cigna's provider relations and filling out a bunch of paperwork. But Kennestone has to initiate it.

You would probably have a better chance trying to get it covered as out of network since there is no other doctor.

-Elli

Highest Weight/Surgery Weight/Current Weight/Goal
426.4/356/216.8/165?

LaShelle2
on 12/8/08 3:36 am - STOCKBRIDGE, GA

DS on 07/28/09

I dont know Elli. Would our plan even cover it out of network? I guess the cost wouldn't matter, since I'll reach my out of pocket max anyway.

               **** I AM AN OH SUPPORT GROUP LEADER ****
WHY I CHOSE DS: No dumping. Highest percentage of weight loss, Best long term results, Won't regain weight! Eat normal sized meals, 96% diabeties, 90% high blood pressure, 80% sleep apnea cured.                                    I  MY DS!
My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four unless there were three other people.    ~Orson Wells

talksoupslp
on 12/8/08 8:39 am

RNY on 05/06/09

Now that you mention it, I don't think we can go out-of-network for the WLS. I think I may have specifically asked that question at some point. If they won't cover the out-of-network then it wouldn't count towards your out-of-pocket maximum. It would be all on you.

While it's a godsend that they have added the WLS coverage, they are sure making it difficult to actually HAVE the surgery. That's for sure!

-Elli

Highest Weight/Surgery Weight/Current Weight/Goal
426.4/356/216.8/165?

LaShelle2
on 12/8/08 11:05 am - STOCKBRIDGE, GA

DS on 07/28/09

I guess I'll just wait til January and see what Cigna says. Since I have 4 more mos on the diet it's not like it's a big rush anyway.

               **** I AM AN OH SUPPORT GROUP LEADER ****
WHY I CHOSE DS: No dumping. Highest percentage of weight loss, Best long term results, Won't regain weight! Eat normal sized meals, 96% diabeties, 90% high blood pressure, 80% sleep apnea cured.                                    I  MY DS!
My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four unless there were three other people.    ~Orson Wells

talksoupslp
on 12/8/08 8:42 pm

RNY on 05/06/09

Sounds like a plan. By January, hopefully everything will be ironed out and you'll get all the right answers the first time (rather than 20 phone calls later)!

-Elli

Highest Weight/Surgery Weight/Current Weight/Goal
426.4/356/216.8/165?

K M.
on 12/9/08 5:09 am - Atlanta, GA

DS on 10/08/08

Usually both the appendix and gall bladder are removed.

LaShelle2
on 12/9/08 6:33 am - STOCKBRIDGE, GA

DS on 07/28/09

Whatever they have to do to get the job done. I love your surgeon Dr. Maynard. He is a sweetheart. Are you all having a Christmas support meeting? I miss you guys.

               **** I AM AN OH SUPPORT GROUP LEADER ****
WHY I CHOSE DS: No dumping. Highest percentage of weight loss, Best long term results, Won't regain weight! Eat normal sized meals, 96% diabeties, 90% high blood pressure, 80% sleep apnea cured.                                    I  MY DS!
My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four unless there were three other people.    ~Orson Wells

LaShelle2
on 12/7/08 7:34 am - STOCKBRIDGE, GA

DS on 07/28/09

I would go for the RNY but dumping scares me. I also don't know if I'll be satisfied with those small amounts of food. I love food!!!

               **** I AM AN OH SUPPORT GROUP LEADER ****
WHY I CHOSE DS: No dumping. Highest percentage of weight loss, Best long term results, Won't regain weight! Eat normal sized meals, 96% diabeties, 90% high blood pressure, 80% sleep apnea cured.                                    I  MY DS!
My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four unless there were three other people.    ~Orson Wells

Lookingup
on 12/7/08 9:40 am - Sharpsburg, GA

DS on 10/23/08

As has been said, you have to do what feels good for you. However.........here is my two cents worth...........Go wherever you have to to get the surgery. There are pople who travel to foreign countries for crying out loud. I am only six weeks out and have been very nauseated but still know that this is just what I had to have.

You can develop a relationship with a local doc after you return for those emergency situations.

Dr. Smith is not in network for any insurance, but he does give you a special rate. His charge for me was $12,000 and insurance paid$3,300 and I paid $1,650 plus another $1,000 for the surgical assistant. I am now starting to get all of the other lab, xray, etc. bills that insurance did not cover. Because he is out of network, he offers a special rate for his part of the surgery. If you feel anything like I did before surgery, I am sure you are more than ready!

There is another DS doc in town...Donald Maynard. I was approved with him last year but he only did it as an open procedure and all of a sudden DeKalb Medical Center decided that was too risky so I switched to Dr. Smith. Good luck!

Lookingup
Pre Weight Loss 337
Pre Op 319
DS Surgery Oct. 23, 2008

HELP!!! I need to find a DS surgeon. I have Cigna.

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HELP!!! I need to find a DS surgeon. I have Cigna.