Question:
I am having trouble getting approved how can i get around the 1 yr Dr supervised diet

   — debbie T. (posted on August 24, 2003)

August 24, 2003
e-mail Walter Lindstrom. He is a well known lawyer that specializes in obtaining insurance approvals. I hired him for me because my BMI is only 37-38. I have co-morbidities but not the ones that Aetna requires. I have a severe back problem and I have been off work since Dec,2002. Ive been to pain specialists, had nerve blocks etc... I have letters from 4 different doctors now that reccommend that if I lost my weight, that it would alleviate my pain a great deal. So, go to obesitylaw.com. God Bless you
   — Dawn R.

August 24, 2003
Hi, the only thing I can suggest you do is to try to have you primary care doctor write you ins co a letter stating that you have tried all kinds of diets already and what medical problems you have and that you need to have this surgery soon, or ask your doctor if he or she will call your ins co personally sometimes that works! The only other thing you can do is try to hire a lawyer to see if you can get this done sooner, or try to see if you can switch ins companies! Good Luck to You!
   — Melodee S.

August 24, 2003
Have you ever been on weight watchers for a year? That counts.
   — Laura T.

August 24, 2003
At the risk of being slammed, I'm going to point out that often the insurance company and doctor imposed "hoops" have a purpose. It is frequently to your benefit to jump through these hoops. If you have not been on at least a couple of serious diets in the past, then a doctor-supervised one will aid you in two ways: you will lose some weight before the surgery, making the surgery and recovery easier, and getting you to goal quicker, and it will give you practice at modifying your food intake and eating patterns, which are critical for long-term success. If you've been on every diet under the sun, and have had been successful for short periods of time in modifying your food intake and eating behaviors (and hae some way of proving it), then I say it may be worth fighting this requirement. If you haven't done these things, I think it's a good idea to try the doctor-supervised diet. (Are you sure it's a year-long diet they're looking for? Many will accept a 6-month try in the recent past.) Best wishes to you.
   — Vespa R.

August 25, 2003
I have BCBS and my policy requires 2 years of dieting under a doctors supervision and I didn't have that. I have been on many, many diets in my 47 years but the only doctors supervised diets I had been on were from 2 different doctors who had given me diet pills for 3 months a piece back in the 70's. My surgery was still approved without it. I do have co-morbidities though.
   — Debbie R.

August 25, 2003
My doctor's office (The Wish Center) requires an 8 week "practice" diet. I thought it was nuts at first, but it taught me what kind of food/diet plan that I would be on for the rest of my life. And you know what 8 weeks are not really enough time to "teach" you how you are going to have to eat after surgery. Give it a try - you will be surprised how much it will teach you. I am 4 months post and I am still learning. I do not know what your age is but I am 50 and it is real hard to undo close to 50 years of bad eating habits. Good luck, all good things come to those that wait.
   — ChristineB