Question:
Has everyone had to go through a 2 26 week supervised

diet program for their Insurance to authorize the surgery? I am really confused. I was told that it had to be medically necessary to have the surgery done. I think it is. I am 5"3 and weigh 280lbs, I have sleep apnea, hypertension, asthma, and diabetes. I can barely even bare the pain in my feet and legs to move around. I am going through a 2nd appeal. They stated that if I lost 10% of my weight that I would be fine? PLEASE HELP!    — Martha A. (posted on September 4, 2003)

September 4, 2003
No, everyone does not have to go thru this. It really depends on your ins. company. I have UHC Select pos. All I had to do was prove medical necessity. Sounds to me like yours is also medical necessity. If I were you, i would contact obesitylaw.com for walter Lindstrom and see if he can help you win your appeal. Good luck.
   — Delores S.

September 5, 2003
Sounds like you have CIGNA for your insurance. Recommend you join the CIGNA Squeaky Wheels Yahoo Group. It is a bunch of people dedicated to getting people with CIGNA insurance approved fro WLS. Here is a like to subscribe to the list. [email protected] Come join us in the fight!! Sue
   — Sue C.