I have started seeing my nutrionist...

but I am a little confused.  Does she actually want me to lose weight?  With my insurance, I have to see the nutritionist for 6 months.  I'm scared that if I lose too much weight then my surgery will not be approved.  I do not want to go through these 6 months and then be denied.  What should I do, lose weight or not/

Well, your nutritionist does probably want to help you to lose weight. that is the catch-22. Insurances want you to lose weight so they can deny you- I think the magic number is 10% of your excess body weight. Nutritionists' jobs are to help you to eat the right things so that you lose weight- it's what they're paid to do. However, in this case, If you do lose enough, then insurance will declare it a sucess, and therefore "surgery is unnecessary". So just be careful about that. I know it sounds really whack but  I hope that cleared it up a little bit.

Ann

From my own personal opinion, I think the insurance requires you to do the 6 month diet to see how committed you really are to having this surgery. Most people just flat out give up on the surgery when they hear insurances' requirement of this diet, I know I almost did. My nutritionist said she has never heard of an insurance company denying you because you lost too much weight. If you are really that apprehensive then just ask your surgeon. They would know out of everyone.

I had the same question, My insurance is carefirst BCBS, my surgeon told me that insurance doesn't look to see if you lose weight or not, they are looking for the commitment.  I lost about 12 pounds during my 6 months, and I was approved no problem.  My PCP did tell me to make sure you don't get below a BMI of 40 or whatever your insurance requires. 


I would also recommend that you really take advantage of this 6 mo prep.  I feel so prepared for my upcoming surgery!  Is your nutritionist a bariatric nutritionist?  At the time I thought it was such a pain but I'm def glad my insurance made me do it.  Let me know if I can help you in any way.