Complete newbie needing help getting started.

Hello. I am COMPLETELY new to all of this and I'm literally just beginning my research. I am a 46 yo female, 5'6" and weigh 265 lbs. I've tried everything I can think of to lose weight and nothing has REALLY worked. A few lbs here and there, but they always come back. I called and found out that since my bmi is 42 and that makes me morbidly obese, that my insurance would cover this with a minimal Co-pay. The one requirement is that I do a diet (Nutrisystem, WW or the like) for one year. Has anyone had to do one for so long and what happens if you fail at the diet? Or even worse, are a success but then gain it all back? Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

Hi and welcome-

I had to do 6 months with a nutritionist or the like to qualify. Just make sure you don't skip a month or you will have to start all over again.

You can also do a search on the top right hand corner there is a magnifying glass. There is a ton of info on this site.

I was able to do 6 months with my surgeons nutritionist but many programs different options.

Have you engaged with a surgeon yet? They may have some direction on which program, or as in the previous post- may be able to do a nutritionist directed program instead- which would be great- you start to build a relationship with the surgeon and  staff and your comfort level increases. I would get a surgical consult and ask them to help you navigate. and of course, all the info here too.

I have to wait until after I do the informational session on April 7th. The March one is already full. :( Thanks.

Most of us had to do a program.  You need to get surgery quickly after you lose the weight or you will gain it all back.

Losing is easy, keeping it off is why we get surgery.

So you mean if I lose 75 lbs of the 130 lbs I need to lose they would still do the surgery? Sorry. I don't understand.

You are probably just going to lose a few pounds like you always do.  If you lose 75 pounds there is a chance that the insurance will not pay for the surgery.  So use common sense and stay eligible for surgery.

I think find a surgeon to talk with that about Terri. They know the insurance stuff in and out (someone in their office). For my program, I had to do 3 months. (Just finished). They said you couldn't lose so much that it took your BMI under what was acceptable to qualify though, so for a 1 year supervised plan....I don't know. Go to some seminars. Google bariatric centers of excellence in your area, and see who has them.

Make sure you understand your insurance requirements thoroughly, and find a bariatric surgeon within a "Center of Excellence"  and find a surgeon here:  https://asmbs.org/patients/find-a-provider.  Check with your insurance to be sure this surgeon is covered under your plan.  Now, as for the pre-op diet thing, I was required to do 6 months of physician supervised (actually a dietician did mine) monthly office visits, HOWEVER, I was not required to lose any weight.  So ask your insurance for clarification.  When people say don't lose too much, they mean don't let your BMI get under 35.  35 is typically the minimum requirement most insurance companies to the cut off for bariatric surgery.  Good luck!

Thank you all. I have an appt for the next upcoming informational session on April 7 with a local site. They are certified or whatever it is of Excellence. I can't wait!