From what day do you start the 6 month countdown to wait for surgery? Is it from the first Dr. Visit? Do they ever do it a bit earlier than the 6 months? It seems so far away. End of July early August should be my surgery. Unless by some Miracle I get an earlier date.

When I had decided it was time for a change and decided on WLS, my initial visit to the Dr I was hit with the six months wait also and was crushed I had to wait that long. My six months are up and time flew by, surgery is scheduled for 3/19 and I'm so ready to get it over with.

Im 2 months in and 14lbs down. Looking forward to getting the next 4 done. Joined the gym. Going 3 to 4 days a week.

_{I have had to do the same thing. My 6th visit is on the 18th. I've had to do the sleep study, all the fun stuff. Blue shield wants everything. Not sure how long after they submit it they will take, I know they have 45 days, but I'm hoping it'll be somewhat quick. I just want it over with before summer. My job is super busy during summer so I want to have the surgery and be back before May if I can.}

Im 2 months in and 14lbs down. Looking forward to getting the next 4 done. Joined the gym. Going 3 to 4 days a week.

My doctor and insurance coordinator gave me a heads up about my weight. If I kept loosing weight throughout the 5 month period and my last weigh in I was under the bmi of 35 I would not be approved.

I think it's wonderful your being active and loosing weight on your own! But your insurance may think you can do it own your own if they are provided supporting documentation you can/did.

Good luck to you all!

My insurance required six months of medically supervised weight loss (which was actually 7 months because they don't count the first visit!) At first I was impatient and mad (I wanted the surgery, like, yesterday!), but I have learned a lot during the MSWL program (with the Bariatric Coordinator/nurse from my surgeon's practice) and am now actually glad that I had to wait so I could make gradual changes to my diet and ways of doing things. There is a method to their madness, even if it doesn't seem like it now. I have jumped through all of the other necessary "hoops" and my last visit is March 4, and then they will put in for insurance approval!

I am join you all with the 6 month wait

However there was an options for a 3 month wait if I have proof that I was on Weight Watcher, Jenny Craig etc........

I guess it won't be that bad we can do a lot of research plan for healthy food choices etc.......... LoL I am making a list even looking at the food pyramid

survivingsleever

The program coordinator told me that the initial weight when you registered is the weight that the insurance company uses. That turned out to be true in my case

The reason insurance companies want a six month program is to be sure that you get the right education about your surgery and that you can manage it afterwards. After all they don't want you to fail because that is expensive for them. I did not have to loose a specific amount of weight, however I did have to show I could loose weight in the program and commit to a long term plan. I was encouraged to loose weight, since it would help me long term. I lost 42 pounds before surgery. I was approved with a start weight of 362, BMI of 45.24 and at surgery was 320 lbs with a BMI of 39.99.

survivingsleever The program coordinator told me that the initial weight when you registered is the weight that the insurance company uses. That turned out to be true in my case The reason insurance companies want a six month program is to be sure that you get the right education about your surgery and that you can manage it afterwards. After all they don't want you to fail because that is expensive for them. I did not have to loose a specific amount of weight, however I did have to show I could loose weight in the program and commit to a long term plan. I was encouraged to loose weight, since it would help me long term. I lost 42 pounds before surgery. I was approved with a start weight of 362, BMI of 45.24 and at surgery was 320 lbs with a BMI of 39.99.

Macman, great for you. My specific situation is my bmi was borderline 35 which is the minimum most insurances cover in addition to not having a pre existing condition. Specifically, my coordinator has seen it from experience where people were denied. My surgeon verified her statement as well. Just sharing my experience....

Our facility has a Bariatic Pathway. My insurance does not have much for additional requirements other than the BMI/comorbidity. My insurance dictates I use this facility. I met with the primary on 06/30, the NUT and the pysch 07/03/14. Was told that EVERYONE needs a sleep study. Waiting, waiting - two weeks got to see the Pulomary MD for a consult. He says my numbers do not indicate that a sleep study is warrented. waiting, waiting, waiting - a "review panel" discusses my case and decides if I'm a candidate (this is fine but when? they only meet one day per week). They schedule a consult with the surgeon and surgery is scheduled(only done one day per week). Now I understand all this needs to be done for sucess of the the surgery!! I'm not arguing that but this is a Bariatic PROGRAM - there should not be a month or more worth of waiting time between appointments and decisions. In the mean time I am doing very little and have done everything requested of me. Other than the health improvement reasons that I really want to get on top of - I have to concider my job as well. Being gone in October is not an option so all this wasted time by the Pathway may push surgery into November.

I just started my wait! Anyone want to be impatient waiting buddies?????