Hello, I am new here. I have decided to have the sleeve surgery and it seems my insurance (BCBS) is requiring me to do the 6 month conservative therapy documented by my doctor and be at 40 bmi or greater. They also state "Failure of conservative therapy is defined as an inability to lose more than ten percent of body weight over a six-month period and maintain weight loss." So at 268 lbs, during the next 6 months I cannot lose more than 26.8 lbs, but actually I can't go below 248 to keep my bmi at 40. Every diet I have ever attempted always results in a 10 lbs weight loss in the first 2 weeks because I know most of it is Water weight.

Does anyone here have the BCBS of Tennessee insurance? I am a state employee, so it is actually BCBS "State" which is a little different than the regular insurance. I'm looking to hear your story. Did you have any problems getting approved? How long did it take to get approved? I am hoping to have my last PCP 6th month visit in July. I need to try to have the surgery by August because I am going on a cruise in October and my doctor doesn't want me traveling out of state, much less out of the country, for at least one month after my surgery.

Thanks!

Can't help with your question but we have same surgeon so wanted to say hello! My surgery is Friday!

I have Regence Blue Shield and had to do the 6 months of visits also. My nutritionist told me that she submits the weight I was at the beginning of the visits, not what I am at the time of the submission. I asked her if people get denied because they lose too much weight in that 6 month period and she said she had never seen that happen. I would ask your doctor's office what their experience is with your insurance and see what they say. I was 287 at the beginning and 268 at the time of submission. Still higher than the BMI requirement that my insurance has though.