6 months in limbo

 On September 4th I will have completed my second month of the forced 6 month medically supervised diet required by my insurance company.  I'm worried I won't get approved  and that I am doing all this for nothing since I had a BMI of under 40 on the day I went for my first apppointment  with the bariatric doctor.  (I was at 40 BMI on the first day of the forced diet but I was toldthat thiswill not help my case.)

I am struggling with the huge resentment and frustration of continuing with a diet.   I have a 41 year history of failed diets and this feels like just another exercise in futility and humiliation.   In the 18 months  prior to seeking WLS I was in Weigh****chers - one year in meetings and online tracking of food intake, them 6 months of online-only tracking of food intake.  I was so hopeful when I started WW (had done so many, many times before) and lost weight and gained it all back again plus extra weight.

 I understand that I will have to change my eating habits after surgery but I can't get past the overwhelming feeling of pointlessness of thisexercise.  When the dietician talks to me I have heard it all before (a thousand times) and I kind of zone out.   This month I have to write down everything I am eating yet again.   I have notes and scribbles on all sorts of scrap paper and now I have to sit down and pull this all together.  I am feeling real despair here.  I wish I could say I understand that this is all the game the insurance company makes you play but understanding this doesn't help.

Just venting here really.   I just hope I get appoved and maybe then I can look back at this and say it wasn't so bad.  Just an echo of all that preceding frsutration with failed diets.

Hang in there, my insurance company changed their policy after I chickened out. When I returned I had to do the 6 month supervised diet which I didn't have to do the year prior. If only I had done my surgery that November as planned in 2007. I went back in June of 2008 and had to wait the six months. Had my surgery on January 2009.

Thanks, Mickey.  I appreciate the kind words.  Just having a bad day today.  What has your experience with the surgery been like?  Are you well?  Have you lost weight?  How has it changed you life so far?

Janice

Hey Janice, My highest weight was 282  the day of surgery I was 235. I am now between 165 and 170. I've lost weight throughout the years but I was never below 200, as much as I tried I was never able to break into that number. I am extrememly happy with what I am today than where I was. The best moments are when you can cross your legs and sit indian style without pain.LOL If you know what I mean. Good luck with your journey and don't give up e-mail me when you have questions. Mickey

Janice,

My first advice – take these 6 months as a learning experience. RESEARCH .. RESEARCH .. RESEARCH .. While I know you probably did research about WHICH operation you want – but take this time to REALLY RESEARCH what happens AFTER the operation. Such as: pain people were in; what was the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd phases of eating like (ex. CLEAR Liquids for the first few days, then liquids for a week or so – most people hate THAT stage; then “soft mushy" foods; then semi-solids and finally solids). See what people had durning those stages. Try the different vitamins you will need (chewable vs liquid vs sublingual vs solid). TRY THE DIFFERENT PROTEIN DRINKS you will need. Some taste like sweat-sock juice. You need to find one you will be happy with. Go to different support groups. They will not only keep you on track, but you will find a wealthy of wisdom and answers - and maybe a few questions you never thought of.

Now .. not sure if it’s different from insurance company to insurance company – but here is a few things you may want to look into.

Your weight is what the insurance companies care about. While you may have been UNDER 40 BMI when you first seen the Doctor, if you have proof you were over 40 BMI before you started the diet – that should be good enough. Truth be known, the insurance companies don’t care if you were or weren’t successful with the 6 month diet program – they just want to know that you tried.

As you know, most insurance companies will cover if your BMI is over 40 without any co-morbidity issues. If your BMI is between 35 and 39, then they will cover you is you have at least one co-morbidity (ex. Diabetes, High blood pressure, High cholesterol, sleep apnea [which you may have is undiagnosed – so going for a sleep analysts may be warranted/suggested]. There is a ton more co-morbidities you may have (and not know it or has been diagnosed), so ask either your Bariatric or Primary Doctor.    

Remember, you may have some co-morbidity, and not know it (CAPISE?!?!?).

Didn't your Doctor say your blood pressure has been high the last few times you've gone to the Doctors ?!?!?? I bet weight loss would reduce that.

Are you still having performance (errr.. S E X ) problems? -  terrible what weight will do to you

It’s a shame how terrible your joints are? no, not the rolling paper - but your knees, elbows. I bet if you lost weight, you wouldn’t have those pains

How's your depression coming along? - bet losing weight would reduce that too.

It’s amazing how many of these co-morbidities you have … Just ask your Doctor (CAPISE!?!?!?!?)

http://mediligence.com/blog/2009/03/12/obesity-co-morbiditie s-clinical-management-and-drugdevice-market-growth/

http://www.robertorizzi.com/co-morbidities.htm

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/88011641/abstract ?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

Finally, remember insurance companies will try everything they legally can to discourage you from getting the operation. Don’t let them. Even if it take you another 8 months, keep plugging and trying. I know it is frustrating, but don’t let the *******s win !!

Know I, and the rest of us, are here for you !!

 Thanks Tom,

This is great advice.  I will begin to pay close attention to phases 1, 2, 3 and beyond.  My BMI was 37 when meet the bariatric surgeon for the consult.  I didn't  get started on the medically surpervised diet for more than 7 weeks (long story here) and I stressed out and blossomed up to a whopping 40 BMI by the time I had my first appointment for the diet.

For comorbidities I have arthritis in knees (had synvisc injections recently).  I have (mild) high blood pressure (on Diavan) and mild asthma (Proventil and Symbacort occassionally). I have been on Cymbalta for depression for years.  I've had surgery for bladder issues.  Are these comorbs enough?  I read the insurance co information and they said they have to be "life threatening."  I figured the "life threatening" language will be what the ins co uses to deny the claim.  I'm really worried about that because I want this life changing surgery so very much.

While I am no expert, I think your Co-morbidies is  more then enough. However this will depend on your insurance company and their polices.

Keep plugging along !! Know I, and the rest of us, are here for you !!

IMO the insurance companies do this so people think about their decision to have WLS. Most do not care if you lose any weight during the six months.  I was glad I had the six months so I could learn more about the surgeries and what to expect. 

 Thanks for your reply.  I kind of know that you don't have to lose any weight but there was something about writting down everything I eat yet again that made me snap out a little.  After I gathered up all the scraps of paper and wrote it all down an organized way I was less stressed out. I also just wish I could get the surgery without the long wait.  I am soooo emotionally ready to take this step.

Janice

Hey Ramone :)
I'm on the same time frame as you - finishing my 2 month of my 6 month insurance wait.  At first I was dismayed and annoyed by the wait (weight hehehe) for this surgery - it has taken me years to get to the point where I was ready to pursue this.  I have thought about it for years, and all the while dealt w/ all kinds of medical issues caused by obesity that resulted in a ton of meds, surgeries, and dispair.  I too felt like I've already "done my time".

However, I had to adjust my thinking, and now am okay with the wait.  I'm using this time to interview other surgeons, research the the good,bad and ugly, attend support groups, and prepare myself and my husband for how this is going to change our lives.  I really like the NUT at my surgeon's office, and feel like she "gets" me.  I don't feel demeaned, judged in anyway, and I don't zone out when she's talking to me.   I do not feel like I have a number stamped on my forehead during our visits, and I walk away with some meaningful information and things to think about.   I would suggest that you find a different NUT if the one you're seeing zones you out. 

So, I'll be walking the same path as you, at the same time.  We'll get through it :)

Best Wishes-