Question:
Should I see a dietician before consulting a surgeon?

I am 37, 130pds overweight with a BMI of 41. My PCP wants me to see a dietician before referring me to a surgeon. He says the insurance will want a 3 month supervised diet within last 12 months anyways. I checked and that is a requirement with Cigna POS, is this the right thing or should I consult the surgeon first?    — Correnia H. (posted on July 21, 2003)

July 20, 2003
I think your PCP is giving you good advice!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 20, 2003
I agree with Ruth. It is probably best to go that way so you have all your ducks in a row. Ask your surgeon if he recommends a dietician and if he does then maybe go to that one. If your surgeon requires you to see a dietician also then you get to kill two birds with one stone. Good Luck!
   — jenniemminor

July 20, 2003
I agree with the previous posters with regards to seeing the dietician prior to your consultation with the surgeon. However, you may want to ask how long the wait is for a consulation with your surgeon. I called in December 2002 to set up an initial consult with my surgeon and the first available appointment wasn't until May 2nd. That's a 5 month wait. So maybe you could contact your surgeons office to schedule the consult so that is set. Then see the dietician while awaiting your consultation.
   — Kamy

July 21, 2003
My surgeons group has their own dietician we have to see and I had to see her twice after my consult abd before my surgery.
   — Delores S.

July 21, 2003
I have Cigna POS in Illinois and was just denied pending proof of 2-26week supervised diets. One being in the past 12 months. You might want to double check on the requirements because when I first inquired about wls to my insurance, I was told it just has to be deemed "medically necessary, next I was told I would have to have a 6 month supervised diet and just last week when the letter came asking for more info. it stated I had to have 2-26 week supervised diets inorder to qualify for the surgery. Good luck with Cigna they are ignorant, incompetent and will give you a different story every time you talk to someone.
   — sherri M.