My insurance requires that I do a 6 month medical weight loss plan first. My first appointment is this monday. I was wondering if anyone else has gone through this and if after the 6 months they do the surgery even if there is weight loss? If so then why do they recommend you do the 6 months first?

Hi Heav85,

I too have to go through the required 6 months supervised weight loss plan per my insurance company. My first appointment is also Monday, August 25, 2014. From what I read overtime, they want you to lose some weight to show you are trying; but if you don't lose any weight, I've read where some say they don't want you to gain any either. This is just what I have read so I am not sure; but my plan is to try to lose at least 10-12 lbs. during these 6 months. I know losing weight will make it a lot easier when it's time to have the surgery.

Wish you much success.

There are multiple reasons for that 6 month weight loss. My insurance company only required 3 months. They want to make sure you can stick to a diet and that you are actually motivated to sticking to it. The sleeve is a tool and you will have to live on a diet after surgery. If you can't diet... the surgery will not be that effective over a long period of time. Also they need you to lose weight in order to shrink your liver so that the surgery will be safer for you. Use the time to research the diet, the recipes and the surgery so you will be prepared. Start exercising even if its just riding a stationary bike. The healthier you are at surgery the easier it will be on you and the faster the recovery. Wishing you all luck and quick healing,

I agree 100% with 1Day1Life4Now above. Everything that he said is exactly right. You have to shrink your liver for safety reason in surgery. Plus also they want you to lose weight for surgery and they want to see that you can lose weight. Plus everything else that he said. Good Luck on your journey.

Thanks so much for the responses they are so helpful. I asked a friend who has a friend going through this at the same hospital that i'm going to. And she said that I would have a few pounds I could lose in that period of time. I'm assuming from this statement that if I lose more than they want me to then they won't do it... I'm right at the 40 at 40.7... I was when I applied for this atleast... Not sure if I get to much below that if they won't do it. Another question. Lets say I lose like 40 pounds, highly unlikely I know, that won't do the surgery then right? I mean i've lost all that weight lol...

Does anyone know what kinda meal and exercise plan they put you on? I don' thave the money to go to the gym.

I too have to have 6 months of supervised dieting... went for my first visit with the dietician Thursday, they want me to do the Atkins diet... not sure if that's the same across the board, but that's what my doctors office recommends. Good luck to you! I was kinda bummed about the 6 month thing, but I'm sure it will go by super fast!!

I hope it goes fast

My BMI just barely hits 40 too. My surgeons wanted me to work on tracking my nutrition and exercising, but wanted me to stay at the same weight until after I saw the nutritionist. Now all my pre-op has been done and he wants me to start to lose weight. Just two more visits and I can submit to insurance.

I also had to do the 6 mth diet... my last appt. with NUT is tomorrow. I am down 45 lbs & now I am worried they will not do it. Has anybody out there ever been denied for losing too much weight? I just dropped below the 40 BMI but I also have sleep apnea, COPD & Asthma.

Hi Vfoster317,

I think even with your BMI being below 40.....with your comorbidities you should still be fine. My current BMI is 37.4 but my surgeon is positive with my comorbidities I will should still get approve. I wish you the best of luck in her journey.

It's really an insurance requirement on the weight loss. Talk to the carrier or the surgeons office. Whatever you do - don't gain weight

Yes that's what my doctor told me....that's what got me so nervous because for the next 4 months they don't want me to lose anymore weight. As they said just maintain where I am at....so nerve racking

Do you have Aetna? If not would just maintain. If you have Aetna you have to show no gain at all

I have WellCare and do t know what they require

Google is an amazing thing

https://www.wellcare.com/WCAssets/corporate/assets/HS006_Bariatric_Surgery.pdf

Call and make sure your specific plan covers it

Heav85, I too have to go thru 6 months, and I am thru my 4th month, I think it is way to long, all kind of things start running thru your mind. They do this to see if we are in the mindset of really trying to lose this weight. So far I have lost 19 lbs.I go to the therapist and dietician on the 26th. Good Luck.