I'm new to the forum and am one month into my journey. I've done pre op blood, barium, echo and EKG. I have NUT and psych on 9/10. It is possible after those two appts we can submit to insurance. Hopefully insurance will approve. My doctor is requiring 5% weight loss before he will even schedule surgery. I have to get to 244. I've been at/around 250 for 3 weeks. I can't seem to break this barrier. I'm a life long dieter and thought this 14 lbs would be a breeze but I just can't seem to get it together.b I was hoping for Oct/Nov surgery.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

I'm new to the forum and am one month into my journey. I've done pre op blood, barium, echo and EKG. I have NUT and psych on 9/10. It is possible after those two appts we can submit to insurance. Hopefully insurance will approve. My doctor is requiring 5% weight loss before he will even schedule surgery. I have to get to 244. I've been at/around 250 for 3 weeks. I can't seem to break this barrier. I'm a life long dieter and thought this 14 lbs would be a breeze but I just can't seem to get it together.b I was hoping for Oct/Nov surgery.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

I totally cut out bread, chips and all snacking. The snacking was by far, the most difficult. Of course, nothing sweet. I had two months to lose 10 - 15 lbs, I lost 23. If you drink cokes, stop, totally, no looking back. You can do this, up your Protein and liquids.

Usual questions. How is the protein intake. Water exercise? Try changing it up a bit,more water. More protein.

My BMI was 35.3 when I got started on this journey in January 2013 and Aetna denied me stating that I needed to be Obese for at least 2 years before they would even consider it, I have only been considered over weight for about 1 year because I had 2 knee surgeries and back issues after a bad accident...so I packed on the pounds being less active.... I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure and hyper tension. I was very upset and left that surgeon because they let me get all the way up to a week out from surgery to tell me I was denied and that they were sorry this was a new requirement of Aetna ...this was a lie the coordinator was just careless.

I switched surgeons, and hospitals and got Priority Partners Insurance and, Allof my records were transferred so I didn't have to start over from scratch but this surgeon had a few more requirements which I was good with...because my BMI was just at the threshhold I was only asked to lose about 5 lbs but lost 7lbs...they submitted to insurance but I was denied because they said I wasn't serious about losing weight...that was in July..then my doctor resended my application and we worked on weight loss for anothr few weeks and I lost about 4 more lbs for a total of 11 lbs. We then resubmitted and I was denied again..guess why? Because my BMI was too low...SMH. I was so upset because THE INSURANCE is the one who said I needed to lose the weight to begin with. My doctor did a peer to peer and submitted my food diary and I just got apporved Thursday September 5th. I will get my surgery date on Monday. I am so excited. I started to feel like it just wasn't meant to be. Keep your head up it will turn around..insurance companies just don't like to pay for surgery....period. and this to them is elective,

I said all that to say..it's a toss up, It also depends on what your insurance requirements are..I did what seemed like a million tests prior to submission but you really want ALL of your ducks in a row (tests, requirements, letters) in order before they submit because in some cases you cannot appeal..it depends on the reason for denial...so don't rush it as long as you end up with getting an approval.

Good luck dear!! I pray you have waaaay less trouble than I did.

Thanks everyone. It is for sure nerve racking. I have confirmed all insurance requirements and need normal clearances, BMI over 40 and 6 months of dr supervised diet within last 2 years. I have been an active member of WW for at least the last 18 months and my doctor thinks that's sufficient. Lets hope. I know it isn't over til approval is in.

Any way, thanks for all suggestions, I don't drink soda, no Pasta breads or rice. I eat about 800 calls of Protein a day plus all the veggies and salad I want. I drink between 64 and 80 ounces of crystal light a day. I'm trying to cut the artificial sugar but my weakness is the sweetness.

If I cheat it is on sweets, never chips or typical snack foods.

I think is should start weighing my protein and maybe eating a little less more often. Have not been exercising regularly.