Question:
Anyone have Aetna PPO in Texas?

My husband is considering having surgery. When I had surgery I had Cigna and had no problem whatsoever. My husband looked at the policy book for Aetna and it mentioned a 6 month doctor/nutritionist approved diet plan. He is looking at having surgery at Bariatric Treatment Center (I had mine done there), but now he's down about the process because we don't want to be out even more money. Any ideas or suggestions? Is there a way to get around this? Thanks so much!    — Tamara S. (posted on November 20, 2003)

November 20, 2003
Tamara, I know it's not cheap - but you could consider side-stepping the whole insurance thing and self-paying. I had my surgery in Spain as a self-pay patient - it was so hassle-free. I have a couple of friends who live in Texas who have gone to Spain, as well. The real plus, besides the fact that it's so hassle-free, is that it's tax deductible. Can make for a very nice tax year! Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

November 20, 2003
Tamara -- I also have Aetna PPO and they required the 6-month dr supervised diet. However, to get around it, I simply created a chart of my weights from my own records, then supplemented it with the records from my PCP. After all, whenever you go to any Dr, even for a sore throat, they WEIGH you -- that's documentation! You just need your Dr to say that in addition to your normal medical issues, he has been helping you with weight management. E=mail me privately if you want more info --
   — Nannette

November 20, 2003
I have a friend who has Aetna and they do require a 6 month supervised diet. I have also heard that Cigna is now require that. I live in Dallas and went to Wichita Falls to Dr. Warnock to have my surgery because of the long wait in Dallas and BTC wasn't an option for me because I couldn't pay the difference in what my insurance would pay and what they charged since they weren't in-network. Dr. Warnock is wonderful and it's worth the drive.
   — Patty_Butler