6 month supervised diet how much weight?

Hi, I was wondering of all of you out there that had to do the 6 month Dr supervised diet, lost, didn't lose, or gained. I know the idea is to lose weight before the surgery and so they can see you will be able to use your tool, and follow a diet so you don't gain the weight back. They mostly say its the insurance company that wants you to lose between 15-20 pounds. Is this true, I have no clue its just what I have been told. Do you get denied by the insurance company if you don't lose, or don't lose enough? I have a whole 9 days left of my 6 month diet, and have struggled to lose. I am on a gluten free diet, on top of the 1200 calorie diet, and have been exercising every day for at least an hour. Swimming, walking, and elliptical. So any of you out there that can share their experience, words of wisdom with me, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much!                          Renee

You want to loose weight before surgery as the operation is safer.  My understanding is that loosing the weight will help srink the liver which the doctor has to operate around when doing the surgery (not so for lap band thought). As far as what the insurance company expects, with rare exception, they do not have a specific requirement for loosing weight, just that you made the attempt.  Many people see this as just one more reason to delay or discurage us from getting the surgery.  Be sure to check your insurance companies Clinical Policy for sure though.  But it is worth it. Jim

You would have to check with your insurance company as to how much, if any, they expect you to lose.  I have a friend who was required by her insurance company to lose 10% of her weight before they would approve her for gastric bypass.  It didn't matter how long it took as long as she lost 10%.

Thats the thing, it doesn't say on the paper they sent me, and when I call they don't say they require you to lose anything either. Just that you have done a 6 month Dr supervised diet.

If the insurance company is explicitly stating that no weight-loss amount is required, then it most likely is interested in your attempt to lose weight, not the amount that you have to lose.  I will defer to the first respondent's statement that many health insurance companies don't have requirements as to how much you must lose.  They simply want to get you started on the lifestyle of healthy living when life is continuing after the surgery. Ultimately, as long as you complete the six-month medically supervised diet, then you will have met the requirement that the insurance company is setting forth.  However, keep in mind that the six-month diet should not be considered an impediment or a stall tactic from the health insurance provider.  It is truly beneficial in arming with tools for long-term success of bariatric surgery.  I am quite thankful that I went through mine and got the education along with it.

My insurance- BCBS of AZ states only that there can't be a gain of more than 5 lbs during the six month diet but it doesn't give any requirements for weight loss. The entire idea behind WLS is that diets have not worked in the past for me for any extensive period of time. I will always lose a little and then the loss will stop and I will start re-gaining so it's a little tricky how they do it. I know I am not cheating and I am trying very hard to lose- but I refuse to hurt my body anymore with all the diet fads. I am going to WW which helps satisfy the requirements for the weekly face to face meeting (your might want to check if your insurance has this) and it also helps me eat healthy. Even if your insurance doesn't require that weekly face to face- it's always helpful to have a letter from your WW rep stating how hard you have tried. Good luck, Nicole

Well, I went with my hubby to our PCP today since upper resp infections seem to be going through the house. Anyway, he told our Dr. how I am doing a liquid diet and exercising like crazy to get off as much weight as I can before my weigh in Monday. I told him neither the surgeons office, nor BCBSIL PPO state there has to be a certain amount lost in the 6 month period. He said the 6 month diet is like a protocol for the insurance. I sure hope he is right. He did not like what I am doing, as he said "yes you can lose it, but can you maintain it, no." He is right how could I continue on liquids for an extended amount of time. All I can do is do it until the weigh in and see what happens then. I can only pray the insurance will approve me.

Hello  I also have bcbs of Ill. I had to do 12 mos before they changed it to 6 mos. I only lost a total of 6 lbs over a year and I got approved. they never questioned how much I lost only that I did it for 12 mos. It states in the requirements 6 mos of a failed diet attempt. with your PCP. I  had appointment with my surgeon today. I HAVE A SURGERY DATE!!!!!  My surgery is  Nov 23. the day after Thanksgiving. I will be having chicken broth instead of turkey but thats ok with me . I have been waiting for this for 16  months . Good Luck  I hope this helps. Barb

Congrats on having a surgery date.  I need 3 months of documented supervised monitored, nutrition and exercise program for weight lose attempt with documented patient compliance before insurance will approve. Tried for 20 years to lose but doctor never documented anything but the prescription and weight.  Do you know how the Dr, is suppose to write this info. above so insurance will except it?  I have been able to lose a few lbs. but it & more comes back.  I don't know how I am suppose to do this correctly and be approved.  I'm afraid if I don't lose my ins. co, will say that I can't have the surgery because if I "complided" I would have lost weight.  If I lose I am afraid they will say I don't need the surgery because I can do it myself.  What am I suppose to do?  1 lady at ins. said you don't have to lose but another said they need proof that dieting doesn't help.  Any suggestions. KNow a diet I can use to follow.  I go to Dr. 9/20.