6 month wlp

Hello. This is one of my first post. I am a little irritated but I guess I will deal as I am sure all of you have had to deal. I have got to be put on a medically supervised weight loss plan before I can have my surgery approved. Have to go in every month for a followup. Do they know how hard this is for single working people who have children? Not to mention you have to pay a copay every time you go into the dr. Any suggestions out there? My insurance is BSBS TRS. I want to try and get this done by June or July while I am off work....I have been on so many diet programs but of course none of them were supervised. I just feel like people who are overweight get the run around alot. Does anyone agree with me. Sorry to sound like I am *****ing but it is frustrating or is it just me? I will stop griping now and just wait for your opininions or suggestions....thanks kim (gypsypoet2007)

I have BCBS also and I had to do the six month diet as well. It was a pain in the rear and yes those copays add up, but if that's your insurance's requirements then that's what you have to do. My doctor was able to work with me and since my appointments were super quick in/out just get the weight and talk about diet and exercise for a few minutes. We always scheduled me the first patient of the day that way I was in and out quick (before she got behind) and I was usually only 30 minutes late for work. I finished up my diet back in November and was approved in January (after having to appeal a denial). If you want the surgery, you just have to do it. As much as it is ridiculous and just jumping through hoops for insurance's sake. Sandi

Thanks for replying I appreciate it. What do you do for a living? I am just trying to get everything done while I am off instead of having to do it when school starts again in Septemeber. Oh well, I will just do what I have to do... Thanks again.

Tricky situation. Sometimes insurers make you do the pre surgery diets to get you under the BMI that qualifies you. Then, you would have to pay for it yourself. Or, they want to make sure that you can follow through with the weight loss after surgery. If you are a "bad risk" then they wont approve you. (you dont lose enough).I suggest you investigate and try to find out the EXACT qualifications from the insurer, and see if anyone that has the same plan has had surgery and what there weight loss was pre-surgery. I know its frustrating, but hopefully it all works out.

Hello and welcome to the boards. Honestly, I was just as frustrated when I found out I had to do the 6 month pre-op period of supervised diet with monthly dr visits. I felt ready to go and thought that was such a waste of time -- in hind site, I was so wrong! That 6 months was so valuable! I read everything I could find, talked to my doctors and to others. I was so mentally and physically prepared by the time I had surgery that I have bounced back in record speed. I returned to work 11 days after Laproscopic RNY bypass surgery. Don't look it as a problem turn it into a positive. Take advantage of the time to get yourself fully prepared for the life change surgery will bring. It goes by much quicker than you can imagine. Before you know it -- you'll be on the losers bench! BEST WISHES! Hang in there!

Thanks for everyone who has replied. I am going to turn this into a positive. I am sure they do it for a reason. I am just one of those people who has no patience. I want to do this over the summer and that is that. 8) People should be on my schedule anyway...LOL I could probably still get this done in the summer. I am just in knots. Nervous. Want things set in stone. Want to plan things when they are best for me. I am going to the dr on Friday. Tomorrow and getting her to put me on the diet and run some blood work to find out why I am so tired all the time and just as a precaution. Once again thanks so much for your replies and just letting me vent. kim