? for those that have BCBS of AL

Jane your BMI alone should qualify you for surgery.  Most of the time anything over 40 will qualify with no co-morbidities.   

My PCP Dr. didn't send me to a Nut until the end of my 6 mos, and then I had to see another my surgeon's Nut before my surgery. He may be waiting till you are almost finished, but it will be good to ask him anyway.

I just had my RNY 11/6 (through BCBS of AL) , and for me I lost weight the first 3 months, and then the last 3months I gained. I think everyone is different on their 6 month journey. I don't believe your gain will count against you. It may actually help your case.

I have BCBSAL and had to do the 6 month supervised diet.  I initially lost 10 lbs, but gained back 5 of that so I ended up only being 10 lbs down.  My doctor would note in my file that I was unable to exercise/work out due to pain in my knees and feet/ankles  (due to the excess weight).  If you are not exercising, make sure your doctor notates why you are unable to.  Several people I know were approved by BCBSAL even though they didn't lose anything.  I was initailly denied, but was approved on appeal.  Keep up your monthly appointments until you have your approval.  I am glad I did since it took so long for me to get my approval because I would have had to start all over again.   EDITED TO ADD:  I did not see a nutritionist.  The only requirement was that the diet be supervised by a physician (other than the one doing the surgery).  My doctor asked me each month what kind of diet I was following and if I exercised.  I always just said "Low Fat" and that I tried to walk but couldn't walk far.  You just need to show effort (or at least make it sound like you tried).

Thanks for all the replies!  Please keep them coming if you haved any more suggestions. 
I am just going to document everything! I have to go back to my PCP on Jan 7th, around Feb 7th and March 7th...then I can submit to BCBS.  It seems like this is taking forever! 

I lost and gained too during that 6 months...went from 259 to 271.  I didn't have any problem with still being approved...actually my surgeon submitted it online at 4pm and at 530pm they were calling me telling me they already had the approval


Afterwards it was the weirdest thing though...BCBS paid everyone but the hospital.  They kept saying the hospital wasn't filing it right.  Finally they got it through.  It was really dumb though cause they had paid the surgeon, his partner, the anesthesiologist etc but kept telling the hospital that this surgery wasn't covered on my plan when they had the preapproval in their hands!


(I worried like crazy that everything about that 6 month thing wouldn't be right too)