6 mopnth diet

Well, I was originally going to have my surgery last year and got the jitters after gaining another 20 pounds and 6 months later I decided I am going to go through with WLS. Unfortunately since then my insurance comapny has changed the requirements and is now seeking a 6 month monitored diet . Even though I have years of weight loss and gain inluding weigh****chers, gyms, meridia and xenical just to name a few.  Can some folks who have had this requirement let me know how it went for them and did they lose or gain weight during this period? Just frustrated but not giving up. Please send me words of encouragement when I left my doctors office I was in tears and still am. I am on NJBCBS.

Mickey, I know what you mean.  My insurance was in the process of changing their requirements when my surgeon quick got me in/  Hang in there the 6 months will fly by fast, but start now. Good luck. Jeanne

Hi  -  I had Aetna at the time I was pursuing wls and they had the same requirement. So off I went to my primary care dr. every month for 6 months. I know it seems like a long time but I does go by fast. They just need to see a monitered attempt at losing weight. Honestly it was a joke, I would go in and get weighed and talk about excercise, I did a food journal - which I gave to dr. so they could keep in my file. I didn't gain or lose a pound. As it turns out my insurance changed to NJ BCBS after about 4 months and at that time I had heard that they were one of the more lenient ones for wls. However, I had to wait till surgeon took  nj bcbs - and start the process w/ his office. All in all it took me  more the  6 months for everything to fall into place - so if you can work the 6 month diet and do all the other tests that are needed it will all come together in the end. I know it seems like a long time, but I does go quick. Don't give up - that is what they want you to do..... so they don't have to pay. It is a stall tactic, even my dr. said so. Goodluck -

My doctor said it's a stall tactic as well, but it makes me more determined to go through with it. Thanks for your support and I'd like to thank everyone for their time and responses. God Bless all!

WELL I HAD TO DO THE SIX MONTH THING WHAT A PAIN IN THE BUTT. ANYWAY I HAD AETNA AT THAT TIME. THE 6MONTHS HAS TO BE WITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS. HAVE YOU GONE TO A DOCTOR FOR AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH FOR A SIX MONTHS ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GET A COPY OF TE DOCTORS NOTES FOR THE 6 APPOINTMENTS THATS WHAT I DID AND THEY APPROVED ME.IT ON THE NOTES IT HAS TO SAY THAT THEY WEIGHED YOU YADA YADA YADA. I KNOW ITS A PAIN BUT LET ME TELL YOU IT WAS WORTH IT SINCE 11/6 IM DOWN ABOUT 90LBS. IF I CAN HELP YOU CAN EMAIL ME [email protected]. HARRIS

I actually have been on supervised diets for the last 3 years however I did not go every month for six months as required now. I would go every three months for weigh in and meds. So I have to start all over again and go every 30 days. Thanks.

I knew about the six months when I started seriously considering WLS however it has been almost a year since I made the decision.  My particular insurance does not require that you actually lose the weight.  Just make sure your PCP makes a notation regarding weight counseling on your chart each time you go.  The time does go by fast and looking back I am glad I had to wait.  I have learned so much more about the surgery, am much better prepared for what comes afterwards and feel I will be more successful because of that knowledge.   I would suggest you find out exactly what your insurance company requires as far as the six month diet.

Mickey~ I have NJ BCBS also, but Ihad the surgery almost 9 months ago already.  I am down 105 pounds.  I have passed my goal weight, I am now trying to stay here... and not lose anymore weight.  QUITE a difference from the past 10 years of my life.. Anyway, with BCBS, I have the HMO thing with them.  I didn't have the 6 month supervised diet requirement, but they are getting more stringent with the guidelines now to get the surgery.  I don't know if they even care if you lose 5 pounds or gain 5 pounds, but I will give you my advice on the diet.  The lower your BMI at the time of surgery, the less dangerous it is for you, and the easier it is for the surgeon to do his job.  It's better for the both of you if you can manage to lose some weight on the supervised diet.  I don't know if you are planning on having it done laparoscopically (I killed that spelling, I just know it), the lighter you are, the more you can guarantee you won't wake up with a big incision in your belly.  Just my 2 cents... Good luck with the process, and try and make it to a support group as soon as you can, they make a WORLD of difference! Michelle

Hi I also have BC/BS.  I have the PPO and they did not make me wait.  I did see a bariatric nutrionist for about 4 months but that was to prepare me for the surgery.  I think you should use this time to prepare yourself both physically and mentally for the surgery and the post op period.   Melissa

I just noticed who your surgeon was I was looking into him last year but was told he is out of network and would have to pay 20% of the cost so I chose s adifferent doctor in network. Did you have to pay the 20%? Just curious. My BC/BS is the Medaliion which is considered a PPO.