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Hi! My name I Barbara and I live in Bham AL. I am looking into this Lap Band surgery by this summer. I want to know if anyone has used Cigna Insurance for the coverage. I have Cigna with my employer but I'm not for sure if I can use it for that surgery. Can someone help me please? Also what is the 1st step I need to take to the Lap Band road? :)

Hi Barbara, I am originally from Bham. I dont know about your insurance but wanted to say HI. I called my insurance company and asked them. I am sure there is a number on your card.

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Some things have to be believed to be seen.

I would say the first step would be to find a bariatric Dr. then let their office figure out the insurance stuff. My bariatric center took care of all the paperwork...all I had to do was show up for appointments! So, hopefully if your office works the same then you won't have to mess with any of that stuff either. Otherwise, calling the number on the back of your card will get you in touch with someone at Cigna who should be able to tell you if it's a covered procedure. Good luck!

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Starting Weight February 2006: 392
Current Weight: 217
Total Lost Since February 2006: -175
Banded April 2006

Barbara:

I have Cigna Open Network and I was recently approved. Hoping for surgery in February. For my plan I needed 6 months of nutional evaluation by primary care doctor (weigh in's and him telling me to diet). Call your insurance company and see if they cover it, then get in touch with bariatic center.

Good luck

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Banded - 2/5/07

Hi Barbara,

I can't help you with the insurance (I was self-pay), but I live in Birmingham, and just wanted to say Howdy Neighbor! Have you selected a surgeon yet? That's probably the best place to start. My doc is Dr. Miles at Medical Center East, and I highly recommend him. He was the first doc in the state to do the Lap Band surgery. They do free seminars a couple of times a month. Here's a link to their web site:

http://www.alabamawls.com/index.htm

Good luck with your insurance approval. If you have any questions, give me a holler!

Tami

The first step is typically getting scheduled with the surgeon for an informational interview and/or attending a weight loss seminar if they have one. After that, that is when you begin the preop testing (blood work), nutritionist and psych eval. You'll do fine. Best of luck.

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Julie
banded 6/6/06
Dr. McKeen, San Jose CA

320/213/goal 199. Almost there!