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?

I had to complete 6 months for insurance. I just could not gain even 1 pound. They also said if I fell below 40 BMI I would not be penalized for losing weight. That I would still qualify for surgery. Started Jan. 2014. Surgery Oct. 7th. Best of luck!!!!

Thank you walkin'onsunshine.....I hope all goes well with your surgery....keep me posted on how everything went

Thank you walkin'onsunshine.....I hope all goes well with your surgery....keep me posted on how everything went

Will do. I hit 3 week mark today!!! Only 3 weeks. Yahoo!!!!

Don't lose more then 10 lbs regardless of your weight during the six month diet. If you smoke you have to stop six weeks before your sugary date.

Thank you rosasmotherer, my husband and I just got back off of a 8 days 7 nights cruise....I know I have gain 2 pounds

Your welcome.

My surgeon actually told me that one main reason some insurance companies put this 6 month clause in there is because MOST people who are thinking about the surgery give up and won't follow thru, thus saving the insurance company money! Now mine required me to do the 6 months, but once they got the BMI stuff back and saw I'm at 50, they approved without doing any more of the 6 months. (I had completed 3 months and was not giving up.)

I had to do that too. My insurance requirement is 35 BMI with co-morbidities. Problem was, I started out with a BMI of about 36.5 so if I'd gone below 35, I'd have not qualified for surgery, (still having almost 100 pounds to lose and all the health issues remaining). My doc had changed up some of my meds as things were getting worse, my cholesterol and BP) and I ended up GAINING 10 pounds in the process. Once I had my surgical consultation after all the hoops had been jumped thru, I got immediately serious and dropped the 10 plus 3 before my pre-op appointment 3 weeks later knowing I needed to shrink my liver and my surgeon would reject me if I didn't drop the required 10.

All insurance is different. I've heard some say if they have a very successful loss in the 6 months they'll reject for that. I've also heard if they lose nothing or gain they'll reject based on "no effort given". Mine, thank God, didn't seem to care either way. It was just a hoop to jump through in their hope I'd give up. So far anyway, my failure in the 6 month diet has not been a predictor of success. Health problems GONE! I reached my goal range in 9 months and have been successfully maintaining for the last 5.

I will go for my 4th weight loss consultation on Nov. 17th (2 months remaining).....I am not giving up....I have come this fair....I am going to see it through all the way....my nutritionist keep telling me not to worry about it....she is pretty sure I will be approve....so I hope she know what she is talking about

Ok, bikrchk...I want the success you've had!! Way to go!!

I was required to do the 6 month supervised diet & was very successful doing it....I have lost 55 lbs. I have UMR (United Healthcare Choice Plus) & my surgery was still approved with the substantial weight loss. I am having my surgery Nov. 24th. Insurance companies like to intimidate people with all the hoops but PLEASE.DO NOT GIVE UP!

I pray all goes well for you on Nov. 24th Vfoster317; please keep us updated on your progress.

My insurance required 6 months. I lost 44 pounds in that six months. Then I kept getting asked if I was still going to go through with it and why don't I just try on my own. I already tried that. Even my Dr office said it's one thing to lose it is another to keep it off. People like us yoyo. I know cuz I did. I made the decision and stuck with it. It's for life not for a few months. You can do it.

Thanks Toodie1974! I will let you know how everything goes & hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Guess there won't be any turkey at my house this year but it will be so worth it! =)