Question:
Should I get my dr to write me a diet history or should I just use the one I already

Since BCBS might ask for documentation of supervised diet history should I get my pcp to write me out one or use the one that I will submit to the surgeon which is just my 14 year diet history. My LOMN stated I have been on supervised diets such as xenical and quick weightloss but did not go into any details. I guess I don't want any surprises then again bcbs might surprise me and say approve first time around :)    — shae7755 (posted on September 3, 2003)

September 3, 2003
It wouldn't hurt to get one from your doctor and turn them both in. Maybe your surgeon could advise you if he thinks you will need it.
   — Delores S.

September 3, 2003
Most PCPs aren't going to give the detail you are looking for. I'd try to use both.
   — bethybb

September 3, 2003
Here is how BCBS of WI handled it. The letter from my surgeon indicated I had done Redux, Xenical etc. but gave no deatils. Well BCBS love details, at least in WI they do. So the first thing they asked for was a detailed diet history. They did allow me to provide it though. So I just listed things as best I could remember them and faxed to them. I indicated year and/or months too and lbs lost. On the diets since 94 did I have accurate information. I had a total of 5 attempts since about age 10 with one being very successful in 94/95 when I lost 200 lbs. I debated listing that one at all because I was not sure if it would work for or against me. I don't really know which it did because at the same time I was diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea and faxed that info the next day. The following day I had my approval. I technically was a slam dunk as I weighed 442 lbs and was a 65.3 BMI and had some "good" co-morbs even without the sleep apnea. All I had to do was prove medical necessity as my policy clearly did cover it. I'm sure the sleep apnea locked the approval. My only concern was that they would come back and ask for another diet attempt. My surgeon had addressed that in his letter indicating that is made no sense to require me to try something that has proven to fail just so I could have something done that has proven to be successful. The exact way it was written is in the pre-op section of my profile. Probably around about mid December 02. <p>The Redux and Xenical were doctor supervised so I did have that and I did have documented in office notes about the 200 lb loss but in reality it was not a doctor supervised diet. I did it myself. What I sent them was okay I guess. If your BCBS is like mine they will ask for more detail than the surgeon is giving them. However, the surgeon may not agree to send your stuff along, so make sure to keep a copy so you can fax right away if they request it. Good Luck!
   — zoedogcbr