I just saw my PCP today and although he did not give me much information except for 'You are pretty young for Gastric Bypass' he mentioned how he usually sees a 4-6 month pre diet. Of course I still have no idea if its a requirement for me just yet but he would not go any further with it until I see my surgeon who is giving me a call this week to set up an appointment.

So my question is, he set up an appointment for me in a month does starting trying to use my bike and change my diet now count if I go in next appointment with a few pounds lost and how I started a new diet and exercise? I can't afford Jenny Craig or anything like that.

Any tips suggestions diets appreciated as well! So far I am cutting out all breads and pasta's and doing nutritional shakes with lean meat, and fruits and veggies.

Gosh, it all depends. First, on your insurance company and their requirements. Mine requires six months supervised diet. Secondly, You start when either your PCP or surgeon records official starting weight. However, remember that the more you lose before will be more that you can lose after. It's a percentage thing. Good luck and your surgeon's office will probably contact your insurance company for requirements.

Thank you so much Monola! He did get my starting weight so I will just do a bit of shakes and riding my bike. I do have health issues making going to the gym impossible so hopefully that helps my case.

I wouldn't rush into any diet plan/protein shake stuff just yet. I can tell you from personal experience! First, you need to find out what your insurance company requires you to do. It sounds like your appointment with your doctor was to discuss Gastric Bypass (was this the only reason?) The reason I ask is because when you do your 6 month diet and you meet with your PCP each month, it HAS to be coded under "obesity" or "dietary counseling" so insurance can see. It can't be for a sore throat AND a weight check, etc. Does your surgeon require you to go to an informational meeting? I just finished my 6 month diet (per insurance). Usually surgeon's offices have registered dietitian's on hand. You will more than likely meet with the RD (the only reason you would want to wait on that diet) in which you will spend about an hour going over your typical foods and then the RD will give you a certain meal plan to follow. It's always best to start trying to eat healthy anyway but I wouldn't go too far to the other end just in case you end up on a particular plan that is drastically different from what you are doing. Every surgeon is different - just make sure you have a good one! LOL. In hindsight (I'm not going to lie, it was painful hearing that I had to wait 6 months) I'm glad it was 6 months. Between having to go for a barium series, an endoscopy, psych eval, dr checks, surgeon checks, nutritionist visits, blood panels and ekgs - you'll be grateful if you have to wait 6 months!!! Anyway, I hope this helps and good luck! Feel free to message me if you have any questions about the process. I'm submitting to insurance in a few weeks!

I just saw my PCP today and although he did not give me much information except for 'You are pretty young for Gastric Bypass' he mentioned how he usually sees a 4-6 month pre diet. Of course I still have no idea if its a requirement for me just yet but he would not go any further with it until I see my surgeon who is giving me a call this week to set up an appointment.

So my question is' date=' he set up an appointment for me in a month does starting trying to use my bike and change my diet now count if I go in next appointment with a few pounds lost and how I started a new diet and exercise? I can't afford Jenny Craig or anything like that.

Any tips suggestions diets appreciated as well! So far I am cutting out all breads and pasta's and doing nutritional shakes with lean meat, and fruits and veggies.[/quote']

I saw another comment that was exactly what I was going to say. The PCP visits that are required can ONLY be for that. I have my 5th one this month and eacb month they document what im doing what they tell me I need to do and record my weight, they generally tell me either more exercise, cut sweets or something new to try!. Its literally a 15 min appointment. And if your PCP didnt seem on board...find another one! Also all you have to do is call your insurance company..ask them if bariatric surgery is covered and if so what is the criteria and what do I need to be approved. For example...mine covers the band of the gastric bypass, will not cover the sleeve. I have a 6 month medically monitored diet, psych evaluation, lab work and theh needed me to prove two years of weight history. So I called previos doctors to get my record from 2011 and 2012. That woukd be my first step is to call insurance! Good luck!

I wouldn't rush into any diet plan/protein shake stuff just yet. I can tell you from personal experience! First' date=' you need to find out what your insurance company requires you to do. It sounds like your appointment with your doctor was to discuss Gastric Bypass (was this the only reason?) The reason I ask is because when you do your 6 month diet and you meet with your PCP each month, it HAS to be coded under "obesity" or "dietary counseling" so insurance can see. It can't be for a sore throat AND a weight check, etc. Does your surgeon require you to go to an informational meeting? I just finished my 6 month diet (per insurance). Usually surgeon's offices have registered dietitian's on hand. You will more than likely meet with the RD (the only reason you would want to wait on that diet) in which you will spend about an hour going over your typical foods and then the RD will give you a certain meal plan to follow. It's always best to start trying to eat healthy anyway but I wouldn't go too far to the other end just in case you end up on a particular plan that is drastically different from what you are doing. Every surgeon is different - just make sure you have a good one! LOL. In hindsight (I'm not going to lie, it was painful hearing that I had to wait 6 months) I'm glad it was 6 months. Between having to go for a barium series, an endoscopy, psych eval, dr checks, surgeon checks, nutritionist visits, blood panels and ekgs - you'll be grateful if you have to wait 6 months!!! Anyway, I hope this helps and good luck! Feel free to message me if you have any questions about the process. I'm submitting to insurance in a few weeks![/quote']

I have a 6 month diet as well. This month is number 5! I will say I was so bummed wheb I foubd out because I was thinkinv maybe 3 months. However...you reallllly need this time and I havent even had surgery yet but I have been able to do so much more research and feel so much better about my decision nit to much better prepared! When is your surgery

I have actually called my insurance a handful of times to talk to different people and every time I asked what the requirements are all of them just said my PCP needs to send in a request and that's it. I am not sure if that means I can just go right into it, or they just aren't informed. Super confused about it hoping when I see my surgeon I can get more answers.

Sometimes you can go on your insurance companies website and find details. I have Blue Cross and they did not require monitored diets just a letter saying that you went to a meeting with the surgeon and discussed nutrition and that they went over surgery procedures. I also had to have my psych eval done before they submitted to insurance.