Confused

Is the point of the 6 month doctor restricted diet to lose or not to lose?

When i asked my insurance lady about it she said the 6 month thing is up to the doctor, not them (humana). Did i just get a un-informed representative, or is that really are descreation of the doctor?

This is all very confusing to me.

I wish I would have worked harder during my 6 months and maybe I would be closer to my goal now.  Try your best to lose.

The 6 mos diet is almost always an insurance requirement. I paid for my surgery up front and was scheduled 10 day from the date I called to tell them I had the money available. I know several people who went thru insurance and they were required to do the diet.  As for whether you are supposed to loose or not, I think it's just to show the ins company you are committed. I think if you loose or just maintain your weight they are generally okay with it.

My insurance company required it of me, but someone there sorta told me off the record that it didn't really matter. You could do one diet one month and another diet another. They just want to make sure you are really sure and are willing to jump through the hoops. Not her words, but that was gist.

My family doctor likes Weigh****chers, so I did that. I did lose a little, and I had jumped through the hoops.

Like somebody else said, I was trying to get it done before the end of 2009 and maybe could have if I had started the six-months thing a month or two earlier. But at least around here, they don't schedule much elective surgery in December because of so many doctors and nurses being off for the holiday.

So it got pushed into 2010, I got the approval in February. Unfortunately, I happened to be in the hospital at the time (for the first of seven visits in 2010, but one was for the lapband -- in October. The rest was heart related -- atrial fibrillation, including two ablations -- so I had to wait until I had an all-clear from the cardiologists. But they were all for me having the surgery.) I had the surgery in October and then was back in the hospital in November for more a-fib stuff and then the second ablation in December. But it appears that all is well, heart-wise.

Finding my "sweet spot" has been hard. In fact, I am just now -- almost six months later -- finally feeling restricted. I had no idea that it might take that long, and I get the impression from the doctor that my case is somewhat unusual. But that's how my body is -- never does anything the way other folks' bodies do! Even after a fill, it is two or three weeks before I feel anything. But, boy, am I feeling it now! That's good news, I guess.

Sorry to be so long about more than insurance, but just wanted to tell my story.

I had to do 6 months of weigh-ins with my surgeon before my insurance would approve my surgery.  In fact, the insurance specifically said that I had to stay within 10 lbs either more or less than my starting weight of 318.  So, basically they really didn't want me to help myself by losing as much as I could before surgery.  If I went out of the 10 lb range, they would have denied me (for the 2nd time).  Insurance companies have you over a barrel, don't they?!

That's odd,because my insurance company specifically told me (although not so specifically that they named a certain number of pounds) that it was Ok to lose, that they went by the starting weight, not the weight at the end of the six months. Hmmm.

I did a 3 month diet and even gained a very small amt. For most ppl unless they tell you otherwise it is mostly a formality I think.

WOW. thanks everyone for all the info, you have been very helpful. Im gonna go ahead and call back today and ask more questions, i think i had a dud rep on the phone. I don;t ming the 6 month, was just confused about it.

I had to do a 12 month doctor supervised diet for my insurance. I lost about 30 lbs and my BMI went down a little and my doctor said they will use the weight and BMI i started with instead of where I am at now. I think they just want to make sure youre willing to make the life changes and blah blah blah. I would think as long as you stayed at least the same or lost a little youd be fine. :]

Hi, Im live in Louisville, Ky too. I had to do a 6 month supervised diet with my pcp. It was a insurance requirement (Anthem). It was to see if you could lose wt. I lost weight and gained wt, but my total for the 6 months was 2 lbs.(lol). I had to make sure I didn't miss a dr. app. I would have to start all over again. Everything had to be documented. The dr. put me on a Low Carb, Low Sodium, 1400 cals with exercise (walking or water aerobics). Don't let the insurance company just tell you anything, because some don't want to pay for the surgery even though they cover it. I looked up the WLS under my insurance benefit plan to see their requirements and what they would pay for, etc. They people that answer the phone don't know everything (even though they say they do) smh...
Hope this helps you.
GOOD LUCK!!!

Lynn