I went in to my doctor last week to get weighed and I gained 5lbs! I can't figure out why. I even wrote down everything I ate and gave it to the doctor to review. She said it looked great and couldn't figure out why either. Now I'm afraid Aetna will not count this last month. This is the second time of my doctor supervised weight management appointment. I'm so frustrated and angry. She has me on a low carb diet and I don't think it's working for me. The thing is is that my pants are looser and my tummy has gone down. So I don't know what to think.

Has anyone else had this happen after following everything correctly?

Are you pre op? If pre op, I am following a 1500 calorie diet by nutritionist and I went up and down with my weight for 6 months too. I just sign the consent for surgery this week and should get my surgery date next week. I lost a total of 13 lbs since I started the process in September. I think you will be fine with insurance, they want to see that you are trying. Good luck.

Insurance companies just want to see that you made an attempt., and went to every single appointment. My insurance company told me that it didn't matter if I had gained or lost. I gained some months, and lost other months. Up and down, up and down. I was approved 2 days after mine was submitted. I do not have BCBS, I have UHC, but I can't imagine they are much different. Afterall...as my surgeon said, that proves that I can't do it on my own. If you want to see a loss next time you go, do a week of nothing but chicken and veges and tons of Water, or Protein shakes and tons of water, and you will lose. I did that on my last month and lost 5 pounds, which put me 1 pound lower than my starting weight. It's a game that those of us who are lucky enough to have insurance must play. Just chill and keep jumping through the hoops.

It's pretty common to fluctuate in weight as aggravating as it is. I don't know what your eating but I know when I was doing a low carb diet before surgery it seemed to be high in sodium which will cause fluid retention. Also low carb diets have a tendency to cause constipation maybe thats a issue? I know TMI but if it is try drinking some "smooth move" tea to keep everything moving along. Keep tracking everything and make sure you really read those lables. There's so much hidden sugar in everything. Try to cook your own food fresh so you can season and know what's actually in the food. If your already doing all this than just you never mind me:) good luck!@@Scarlett72

Edited March 14, 201511 yr by Elode

I stayed the same through my 6 month pre-op. My surgeon and I met monthly. He would read my diet and make suggestions. At the end he blasted the six month pre-op and congratulated me for sticking it out. His opinion is that the insurance just wants people to back out.

I have Aetna also. My Nut told me Atena uses the weightes by the weight you your initial consult with your surgron

Please excuse my last post. Fat fingers on little key boards get me everytime. I'll try again. My NUT told me that Aetna uses you weight from you initial consult with your surgeon. I met 3 times with the NUT and at my first visit i had gained 5lbs. By the third visit i had lost 9 lbs, so when my papers were submitted to Aetna i had lost a total of 4 lbs from initial consult visit. I was approved and my surgery date is this Wed the 18th.

I went in to my doctor last week to get weighed and I gained 5lbs! I can't figure out why. I even wrote down everything I ate and gave it to the doctor to review. She said it looked great and couldn't figure out why either. Now I'm afraid Aetna will not count this last month. This is the second time of my doctor supervised weight management appointment. I'm so frustrated and angry. She has me on a low carb diet and I don't think it's working for me. The thing is is that my pants are looser and my tummy has gone down. So I don't know what to think.

Has anyone else had this happen after following everything correctly?

I am in the same boat... My nutrionist has not put me on restricted calories just portion control and exercise. I have been faithful to both and my H20 intake and i have gained. I have Aetna as well and tomorrow is my last apt in my 90 day supervised diet. Have you gained or lost anymore?

Sometimes I think insurance companies just want to frustrate you to the point that you give up. They want the premiums, but would rather not pay for medical costs.

Seriously? I know if I was so good at losing weight and maintaining it I sure wouldn't be looking at surgery.

I gained one month. I think it was my 3rd visit. I was going through some crazy issues at home (my husband lost his job and my job changed) and I was on my period. My doc wasn't worried, but told me to make sure that next month I did better. Everyone (surgery or not) varies in weight by a few pounds just depending on the day. Don't stress yourself out. That will just make it worse. Eat better (less sugar) and exercise more and it will come. They know its hard to lose the weight. That's why you are choosing to have surgery.

Be a little better everyday. Good luck

So I met with my surgeon last week and am feeling better. My patient coordinator eased my fear of any weight gain. She said that it doesn't mean that Aetna will reject me. They just don't want to see huge amounts of weight gained. The important thing is meeting with my doctor every month.

I also found out that my MD's scales are WRONG and not correct. They finally listened to me when they weighed me and it said I lost 65 lbs in a month! lol So they are ordering new scales and I will be weighed there after.

Thanks for posting this question!! I'm only down 11 lbs since Jan. 13th - (my initial visit with my surgeon). I have to do six month supervised... Last month I only lost 2 lbs. and was kicking myself for it! Gaining weight during this six month trial scares me!

I gained during this process but was approved. Do the best you can. If we were able to do it without the tool we would not be looking to have the surgery in the first place.

Aetna and the coordinator at the surgeons office told me that Aetna's new (just redone 11/04/2014) Clinical Policy Bulletin: Obesity Surgery states that during the 6 month Physician supervised diet that you can not have a net gain. So I was told as long as you weigh the same or less at the last appointment as the first appointment you are ok. If you want to see the policy look up Aetna's Clinical Policy Bulletin: Obesity Surgery Number 0157.

Good luck I'm doing my 6 month now!