I am getting excited...

Hi Everyone,
I went to my new PCP and told him I wanted WLS...he said he would put in a referral and I got a call from Dr. Leports office today saying they got the referral and I have an appointment for the New Patient Class.  Wooo Hooo!  I do have a question though.  Will I have to do the 6 month diet?  I was not sure if you had to do that before they referred you to a surgeon or will the surgeon's office have me do it?  I have Cigna HMO.  I really thought they were going to deny the referral and have me do the diet first.  I am getting excited!!!

Hi...

I didn't have to do the 6 month diet.  I have heard with the HMO they do require a 6 month diet, but I used my PPO.  You can call the doctor's office and ask them.  When is your appointment for your New Patient Class?

I wanted to wish you well and tell you congratulations!!!!!

Michele

Congrads Isn't it a wonderful feeling? Sorry I dont have Cigna, I have Healthnet. But congrads!!!!!!!

Thank you so much.  I am going to call so I can be sure.  I did start WW a few weeks ago in anticipation of the 6 month diet.  I am going to stick to it just in case.

My appointment is 2/19, it was the earliest they could get me in.

Play the doctor game at the same time. Get weighed every 29 (not every 30) days. Even if you have to call with an "ear infection" to get in. They they have your weight documented every month so they cant come back and say they need something else like they did with me. Also ask for a referrral to the nutritionist now. Get that rolling too!

I HAVE AN HMO AND I DID NOT HAVE TO DO THE 6 MONTH DIET, I JUST TOOK ALL THE CLASSES AND THE NUTRIONIST , I STARTED SEPT.2,2008 AND MY SURGERY IS FEB.4TH.....GOOD LUCK

 In the state of CA you do not have to do the 6 month supervised diet. The state agency that oversees HMOs has a peer reviewing stating that the diet is unneccesary and may be in fact determental once a patient is identified as a WLS candidate. Same goes with losing 10% of your excess weight before you have surgery. If your insurance or surgeon requires this appeal. I wish the insurance companies would stop making us jump through hoops to get a service we deserve and need. Morbid obesity is a disease and not a character flaw. Best of luck to you.

You can read the post in my signature for help. Here is another link with examples of IMR decisions overturning insurance denial based on the supervised diet. 
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/CA/3825604/process-puzzled /page,4/

Thank you very much for all of your advice.  I did make an appointment for next month.  And they said they would refer me to the nutritionist then....I can't wait until I am on the loser's bench too!!