Question:
What is the supervised diet for?

What if you lose enough weight on the supervised diet to disqualify yourself for surgery? I suppose that would be good, right? But what if you lose/gain, lose/gain? Should you try NOT to lose weight on the supervised diet? I just don't get it...    — Debbi K. (posted on August 19, 2009)

August 19, 2009
I did not have to technically lose any weight on my supervised diet. If you do you must be very careful not to gain even a pound as your insurance company can deny you saying that you are not ready/comitted. At least that is what my surgeon's office had told me. Basically use the time to try to change your eating habits and work in some excercise. My dr office wanted me to work on eating the 6 small meals a day, seperating eating and drinking, and working in the vitamins. Some dr offices require that you lose so much weight before surgery, so I would see what your doctor says. Good Luck!!!
   — wendy-s

August 19, 2009
Most insurance companies use the BMI at the beginning of your supervised weight loss as their deciding number. They know that most obese patients maybe able to loose weight but that they cannot keep it off. The other reason for the diet is to see if you can follow doctor's orders and do what you are supposed to do. Remember the surgery is not a magic bullet, you still need to work to keep your weight off and to regain your health with exercise and eating the RIGHT foods.
   — rkurquhart

August 19, 2009
the supervised diet is so that you will get discouraged and decide not to have surgery. then the insurance company does not have to pay.
   — greenpunchbuggie

August 19, 2009
I agree with the first two responses. They just want to make sure you can follow the food plan to keep from gaining weight. I had to do it for six months. The Bariatric center said they would not do surgery if I gained weight. The supervised diet is for your benefit. It will also shrink the fat around your liver which will make the surgery easier.
   — Muggs

August 20, 2009
it's basically to prove you are very committed to doing what you need to do!
   — RNlvnCARSON

August 20, 2009
The supervised diet is basically to show that you are committed to losing the weight whether in the past or the present. If you have been to Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, any weight loss plan will work. I had Jenny Craig write a letter on my behalf, and I had saved my stamped cards from Weight Watchers from years ago. So I didn't have to do a supervised diet for my insurance company. They want to see if you have tried everything to lose weight. I was on Weight Watchers for a year and I worked out 3 days a week, I also had planned on going on a cruise so I had motivation; I only lost 26 lbs in that year. I followed the plan, worked out, only to be very discouraged. So if you have tried ANY weight loss programs write that down, even if it is taking diet pills from a doctor or a supervised program like J/C or WW. Most of us won't lose enough weight to not be able to get the surgery, because I am sure most of us are insulin resistant and therefore, we don't lose weight like "normal" people. We are then considered a "yo-yo dieter". Any weight loss program you have done in the past might satisfy your insurance company. I hope this helps.
   — Kristy

August 20, 2009
The supervised diet is to see if you are commited to losing weight. Your insurance co does not want to pay for surgery so if they feel that you are not commited they wont pay for it.My doctors office submitted my beginning weight and my ending weight. You should loose some weight so they can see that you are commited. I know I had gain some of the weight back from the time I started until the time I finished by that time when they submitted to my insurace company I had only lost 5 pounds. Aslo you Drs office wants to see if your committed. Good Luck
   — DonnaRo

August 20, 2009
My surgeon told me that losing 5% of the weight before surgery, helped to shrink the liver and makes the surgery easier.
   — bcruiser2003