It's a long story but a year ago I fell and tore a tendon and bruised an ankle bone. It still hurts, I can't walk more than a few blocks without being in severe pain.

I started researching in February and had the surgeon call UHC. They said I just needed a 5 year history over 40 BMI.

I called twice and was told the same thing.

In the meantime I've gone to seminars, support groups, spent hours and hours online researching. I have never spent so much time on deciding anything.

Finally I decided for sure, went to all the tests. Had to make up all the time off work.

They finally submit and I get a denial because they want me to do a six month diet.

I'm 41, I have done every diet known to man, hypnotherapy, supplements, psychotherapy, and exercise.

I've been told if I don't lose my ankle won't heal. But I can't work out because of the pain.

I'm on an antidepressant that causes weight fIn and makes weught loss almost impossible. I have tried numerous times to get off of it. I even have taken other medication and nothing works.

I am trying to get my WW history but they are playing games with me. I was thinning maybe after surgery I might go back but not now. Because I'm not a current member they won't just print off a receipt. After I went through this a week ago and was emailed my receipts for the online tools only.

Today they say they have to fill out a form to have a department email me my reveille which takes 7 business days.

I feel fat and ugly. I hate my clothes. I have moments when I think I don't want to go on if I can't have the surgery.

I'm thinking I may just end up having it in Mexico.

Trying to keep my head up but I feel so down.

Also I went to see my advocate on Friday

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Oops sorry finger slip!! I went to see my advocate in Friday and talk about the denial for hospital - they said some things are up to the doc that insurance cannot say NO to if doc says YES. I'm still scared of costs etc but I trust my doc and his staff so I'm pressing on. Keeping you in my thoughts - hang in there!'

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Thanks everyone.

Who is the patient advocate?

You can talk to your surgeon's insurance person. He/she may know the requirements or, if not, will likely know how to handle this situation.

I'm so sorry you are struggling! I too was denied TWICE! Even with other medical issues it wasn't until my BMI was a 40 for two years- it was 39!

At any rate I kept fighting and having surgery on 1/16/13

My primary doc' date=' my gynecologist and patient advocate were huge help and strong arms!

I know it's not really appropriate, but I wish you wouldn't have compared our weight loss battle to that of a drug addict. I just feel I needed to say this as I thank God every day insurance helped my son, who is alive today. Insurance only covered 1 of his many rehabs - its not what you think. Fighting his addiction along side him for six years made me believe I could fight this battle for myself and I have and I AM!

You will do this. You will be heAlthy and happy. Don't give up. You keep fighting and you will soon see the power that you hold inside- dont let insurance or anything stand in your way!! It may take longer than you hope, but YOU CAN DO IT!!

Keep us posted and you will be in my prayers.

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How did you get approved?

Oh the surgeon's office lady told me to start with the six months, she wasn't very helpful.

Oh the surgeon's office lady told me to start with the six months, she wasn't very helpful.

I know that isn't want you want to hear, but maybe it is the best advice. In any event, even if you are pursuing surgery in Mexico it might make sense to start the six month weight loss program. That leaves your options open in case some other problem crops up.

I just got another email from WW telling me they won't provide me with a receipt for my meetings or any verification unless I give them a cancelled check. Then it takes ten days. I'm trying really hard not to get upset but WTF???

Why can't they just give it to me? Im just sad and numb.

I might go in person to a WW tomorrow and talk to someone.

I was thinking I could record my conversation with the WW people where they tell me my dates and that they refuse to put it in writing and somehow send that to UHC. I don't know but I'm just so beyond frustrated.

I will never go back to WW after this. Never.

I have no faith that doctors or nutritionists know what to do to get me to lose weight. I have no faith left in myself that I can lose weight without this surgery. None.

My doctor is overweight herself and I'm supposed to get diet information from her?

I'm going to sit here and have a pity party.

Take a breath. Yes, your doctor can give you weight loss information. There is no reason she wouldn't know how to lose weight. On this board, all are or have been overweight, yet I bet 90% of us know and knew before contemplating the surgery how to lose weight, including exercising and eating healthy foods in reasonable portions.

You are depressed and it appears to me you are having trouble forming a workable plan. Please forgive me for saying that. I am trying to help. For many, many years, I was depressed, too. Having a workable plan that set a goal and laid out the necessary steps to getting there would have been what I needed. My suggestion is that you find out exactly what your policy requires and comply with that. Doing so will help ensure you don't have further disappointments down the road. It is likely that your insurance requires a doctor supervised weight loss program of six months and that the supervised program must be documented in your doctor's notes every month for six months, necessitating six visits to your doctor over the six month period. If that is so, Weight Watchers may not be of any help to you and you should make an appointment with your doctor to see if she can supervise you for the six month weight loss program.

Many of us did this and you can, too. You can get started tomorrow with your insurance company and with scheduling doctors appointments if you are of a mind to do so.

Again, I just mean to help. If your insurance has different requirements than I discussed here, you will need another workable plan. Please don't go off in unproductive directions. It will only lead to more negativity and depression. You can do this.

Thank you for your help. I am frustrated because I can't get anyone to tell me what the steps are. Everytime I call I get a different answer. if they would just tell me in writing exactly what I need to do I could handle it. It's the not knowing and feeling like no matter what I do they are going to find a reason to deny it that upsets me.

I don't know how to get them to just give me a definite answer.

Thank you for your help. I am frustrated because I can't get anyone to tell me what the steps are. Everytime I call I get a different answer. if they would just tell me in writing exactly what I need to do I could handle it. It's the not knowing and feeling like no matter what I do they are going to find a reason to deny it that upsets me.

I don't know how to get them to just give me a definite answer.

Make an appointment with your PCP and tell him/her that you need to have diet monitoring for 6 months ( actually 7 the 1st. doesn't count) for WLS. Did your Bariatric Clinic give you a form for your doctor to fill out each month?

I tweeted on UHC and got a fast response. We will see what they say.

Thank you for your help. I am frustrated because I can't get anyone to tell me what the steps are. Everytime I call I get a different answer. if they would just tell me in writing exactly what I need to do I could handle it. It's the not knowing and feeling like no matter what I do they are going to find a reason to deny it that upsets me.

I don't know how to get them to just give me a definite answer.

Hi--have you called the benefits coordinator at your husbands company? I have found that they are really helpful and can often get you the approval.

I tweeted on UHC and got a fast response. We will see what they say.

Hooray! Make sure they guide you to the correct section in your insurance policy so you can print it out to have paper documentation.

So I realized the other reason why I'm so upset. Surgery is HUGE for me. As you can tell I don't like doctors or being in the medical/insurance system at all.

I have never had sugery other than oral. It took me nine months to make up my mind to do this. And even though I know it's the right decision, it's freakin surgery! I am scared. It's stressful for me to have that hanging over my head. I wanted to just do it so I can stop worrying about it.

These next few months are clear: no obligations, holidays, birthdays, or vacations. Now I have to worry about scheduling this possibly during the summer when our kids' schedules with our exes and camp are crazy.

I just really feel like its weighing on me and I don't want to spend six months worrying about it and whether I'll get approved. Maybe I need hypnosis to get me to stop being afraid.

Dammit.