I'm new to this journey, just had my first appointment with the Bariatric doc... My insurance requires a five year history of my weight loss attempts, along with a letter written by myself as to why I want/need this surgery. Did anyone else have to do this? I don't know where to start, I have been overweight my entire life... Any advice would be beneficial.

I didn't need to do a letter but my insurance required a documented failed weight loss. 5 years ago I did Optifast through Miriam Hospital in Providence RI. I was in the program for 10 months and lost 80 pounds. BCBSRI paid my biweekly copays with the doctor so that was my documentation. Within one year I had gained it all back, plus a little more. Over 28 years of being obese I had tried and failed at every weight loss attempt I ever made, proving that I am very good at losing weight - but I am terrible at keeping it off.

I think they just want proof that WLS surgery is not your first weight loss option, and that you've tried other ways that didn't work. Ultimately, permanent, successful weight loss saves them a ton of money by limiting or eliminating future long-term weight-related health problems.

My doctor had a form that asked me all the times I had attempted to lose weight over the years. How successful were my attempts and the ultimate results. I literally just listed and dated generally (like the year) and the method. He turned that in as my statement of proof of weight loss attempt. I think that want to be sure that traditional weight loss methods won't be successful. And they are a failure if yu either didnot lose weight or you regain it back.

Just make a List

Date Method Use results did yor regain? How much