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6 Month Insurance Waiting Period

HollyC

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HollyC    7

HollyC
Posted

What is the best strategy during the 6 month insurance waiting period. I'm told that they want you to do a weight loss program for 6 months where you have to go in and be weighed. Is the best strategy to lose a little bit so it looks like you need help? What happens if you lose too much and they say you don't need surgery?

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WillowsKnot    71

WillowsKnot
Posted

I was also worried about this issue. What I did was loose a little, but not too much. I did start an exercise program, and use the time to do a lot of research, reading, and did a lot of work on myself. I used the time to learn how to chew my food slower, not drink for 30 mins. after eating, etc. All those things that I would need to put into practice after I had my surgery. I also took the time to get my head in the right place. If I felt a binge coming on during those 6 months, I figured out how to deal with it knowing that I would no longer be able to eat my way through it. The 6 months went by faster than I thought and I accomplished a lot. I also got my house in order. Since you can't do a lot of heavy lifting after surgery, I remodeled my livingroom and kitchen. Painted, put in new floors and remodeled my main bathroom. Now 1/2 my house has a new look, just like I will. LOL Hang in there, it will go fast!

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littlebits    154

littlebits
Posted

I was also worried about this issue. What I did was loose a little' date=' but not too much. I did start an exercise program, and use the time to do a lot of research, reading, and did a lot of work on myself. I used the time to learn how to chew my food slower, not drink for 30 mins. after eating, etc. All those things that I would need to put into practice after I had my surgery. I also took the time to get my head in the right place. If I felt a binge coming on during those 6 months, I figured out how to deal with it knowing that I would no longer be able to eat my way through it. The 6 months went by faster than I thought and I accomplished a lot. I also got my house in order. Since you can't do a lot of heavy lifting after surgery, I remodeled my livingroom and kitchen. Painted, put in new floors and remodeled my main bathroom. Now 1/2 my house has a new look, just like I will. LOL Hang in there, it will go fast![/quote']

I agree! I am almost finished with my six months of supervised visits. I have two more visits (April & May). I feel like that time is needed to wrap your mind around your new life & new way of thinking. Good luck!

Little bits

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HollyC    7

HollyC
Posted

Little bits - how much are you loosing while you wait? are you trying not to lose too much? My husband had the sleeve & DS 3 years ago and lost 200 pounds so I think I'm pretty prepared for everything and am just anxious to get going. Tomorrow is my consult - I'm hoping the insurance won't be six months!

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littlebits    154

littlebits
Posted

I don't want to lose too much, until my liquid diet stage. I barely qualify; according to my doctor, my weight induced illnesses (hbp & diabetes) are what really qualify me. Meanwhile, I don't understand how that is the case...I get a little angry about that since I weigh 214 lbs @ 5'2". (Sorry...I had to vent for a moment.) So, I'm really trying to maintain & not gain right now. Anyway, the six months have practically flown by...honestly. I was upset at first, but it really wasn't bad.

Little bits

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littlebits    154

littlebits
Posted

Little bits - how much are you loosing while you wait? are you trying not to lose too much? My husband had the sleeve & DS 3 years ago and lost 200 pounds so I think I'm pretty prepared for everything and am just anxious to get going. Tomorrow is my consult - I'm hoping the insurance won't be six months!

Good luck & I hope that you won't have to wait too long!!! If you have gone through the process with your husband, you are probably better prepared than most of us.

Little bits

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MeMeMEEE    206

MeMeMEEE
Posted

I did weight watchers and went to the meetings the whole 6 months. I lost about 20% of the total I need to lose, 21 lbs, then another 7 on the 2 week pre-op diet. I followed WW pretty close but didn't kill myself with it. Show them you can follow a plan - it isn't so much about losing alot as showing them you can commit to a lifestyle change.

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chicagochic    73

chicagochic
Posted

Check the new insurance rules! Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Illinois just dropped the 6 month wait. And my insurance is from Tennessee, and they don't have a wait either. I would say double check with your insurance company every month or do just to make sure they haven't dropped that antiquated wait policy. All it serves to do is have people get discouraged and drop out.

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HollyC    7

HollyC
Posted

Thanks chicagochic. I had my dr. appt today and told him - he was going to have the lady in his office check it out since several people are waiting. he said it wouldn't surprise him if they did away with it. Unfortunately, I'm the type of person that once I decide to do something I want to do it. Got my psych appt tomorrow and am waiting to hear back from a nutrionist.

Thanks again to everyone for their help!

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favoredone    590

favoredone
Posted

Most insurance companies look at you BMI when you start the supervised weight loss.. I wish I would have lost more during my 6 months.. but that's spilled milk!! LOL...

I did learn to listen to my body and how to modify my eating habits, eat on schedule and some of the changes I would go through after being sleeved.. I don't think you can prepare for everything.. Heck, I didn't know this journey was so emotionally and mentally engaging!! LOL..

I wouldn't trade my new life for anything though!!! Best wishes!!!!

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HollyC    7

HollyC
Posted

thanks everyone! another question - I went to tickerfactory but now how do I add it?

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HollyC    7

HollyC
Posted

never mind - found instructions

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HollyC    7

HollyC
Posted

Called Blue Shield today and the guy on the phone told me I didn't have to do the 6 months so I got all excited. Dr.'s office called and spoke to 2 different people and they said I did. I emailed the question and got back the answer that I do have to - why did that guy have to get my hopes up for nothing!!

Good news I passed the psych review with flying colors - said I'm a perfect candidate. Have my nutrionist appt on Tuesday - going to ask her if she can monitor my weight for 6 months - depending on how much she charges

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favoredone    590

favoredone
Posted

As of last month BCBS stopped requiring the 6 month WLP.... could it be your company's own policy requirement?

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HollyC    7

HollyC
Posted

No according to my dr each state is different. In California Blue Cross and Blue Shield are two separate companies. I think I'll call again on a month and maybe every month - that should make the time fly by;)

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Go To Topic Listing PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

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      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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