So I have just recently started this journey. I did the webinar last week and had my first apt with the surgeon on Monday. They originally told me that I was going to have to do a 3 months of pre-op diet and meeting with the dietitian. They just talked to my insurance company and found out that I have to do SIX MONTHS! UGH!!!

It just seems like such a long time! What did you guys have to do to get pre-authorized by insurance?

Just my two cents....

My insurance required a 6-month program also, including monitored nutrition, endoscopy, sleep study, and psych eval. I was irritated when I found out the requirements, but at 3 months post surgery, I'm very grateful for the time. It allowed me time to get my head straight, make sure I was choosing the right procedure, and really assess the impact to my life.

It's a really serious surgery and a major change to your lifestyle. I'm very pleased with my results, and have had a great experience. However, I'm not sure my experience would have been the same without the time to prepare and meet with the surgical team multiple times

Just my opinion...can take it for what it's worth.

Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just my two cents....

My insurance required a 6-month program also, including monitored nutrition, endoscopy, sleep study, and psych eval. I was irritated when I found out the requirements, but at 3 months post surgery, I'm very grateful for the time. It allowed me time to get my head straight, make sure I was choosing the right procedure, and really assess the impact to my life.

It's a really serious surgery and a major change to your lifestyle. I'm very pleased with my results, and have had a great experience. However, I'm not sure my experience would have been the same without the time to prepare and meet with the surgical team multiple times

Just my opinion...can take it for what it's worth.

Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My insurance requires the same.
I too was annoyed with the waiting period and requirements.
My surgery will not be until August at the earliest.
I keep going back and forth.
I am scared, but I also need to get the weight off.
I need to lose close to 200 pounds.
I am 38 years old and have been over 300 pounds for about 10 years.
I have been over 400 pounds for about 5 years now.

I also had to do a six month medical weight loss program before my insurance would approve me for surgery. Originally I was not happy with the wait but now I am glad they required it. The time went really fast. I am having surgery on March 23. Having to wait gave me much more time to get prepared for this. I met with the dietician several times and she gave me a check list of things to do to prepare. I am glad I had the time to gradually get off of caffeine and carbonation. Use the time wisely and you will be more successful because of it.

My insurance also required six months. I attended a surgical seminar in early February and underwent surgery October 31. The process demanded a bazillion appointments and documents. And it was 100% worth it.

Same here.
I have to do six months of working with dietician.
Monthly weigh ins.
Monthly office visits.
Psyche evaluation.
Lots of hoops to jump through.
Surgery won't be until August at the earliest.

I will not brag, but my surgery cost me $4400 and a plane ticket to and from San Diego. I am unfortunate to work for a hospital that performs bariatric surgery, is a Bariatric Center of Excellence, and forces employees to undergo biometric screenings, and based on those result, force unhealthy, overweight employees to pay more in insurance, but DOES NOT COVER BARIATRIC SURGERY (it is specifically written into the insurance plan). My sister, who had her surgery about 6 months before I decided, put me in touch with this site, and the Mexican surgery forum. I found my surgeon, after careful consideration and from January 2015 (from finding out my insurance didn't cover it) to my surgery on March 2, 2015, is all the only waiting I had to do. I did inform my PCP and he was okay with it and agreed to do my follow up. Now 2 years later, no regret... just wish I would have done this earlier.