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Question for Aetna peeps.



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I am in the early stages and meeting my nutrionist. I am having trouble with losing weight on this "supervised" diet they want you to do. Is there a number the insurance company is looking for? I mean, if I could lose weight I wouldn't be in this predicament. I am trying but it is really hard. Any suggestions??

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I am in texas and have Aetna. I know it differs from policy to policy. I simply could not gain weight at all during the three months on supervised diet. One month I lost only one pound and the other months were around three. There wasn't a whole lot of loss going on. I was approved. And quickly.

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I am in texas and have Aetna. I know it differs from policy to policy. I simply could not gain weight at all during the three months on supervised diet. One month I lost only one pound and the other months were around three. There wasn't a whole lot of loss going on. I was approved. And quickly.

The gaining part is what i am worried about. I gained a few pounds since last months visit. I put off my next visit another week so I can really buckle down here. Should I be really worried or is it at the end the look at??

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According to my plan, I could not gain a single pound from one month to the next. Instant denial.

If that is the case with you, go on a liquid diet. Postpone another week of possible. Say you are sick or something. LOW carbs. LOW sugar. When you go to her and weigh, wear very light clothes. Take off your shoes. No under clothes hahaha. Can you meet with her via phone? That way you can "tell" her your weight instead of show her, if you know what I mean. Others may not agree with me, but oh well. We all have our opinions. I know what I would do.

I have to ask you this on the nicest way possible. Are you sure you are ready for surgery? There may be circumstances that I don't know about causing you to gain weight. Just move on from here and do this!!

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According to my plan, I could not gain a single pound from one month to the next. Instant denial.

If that is the case with you, go on a liquid diet. Postpone another week of possible. Say you are sick or something. LOW carbs. LOW sugar. When you go to her and weigh, wear very light clothes. Take off your shoes. No under clothes hahaha. Can you meet with her via phone? That way you can "tell" her your weight instead of show her, if you know what I mean. Others may not agree with me, but oh well. We all have our opinions. I know what I would do.

I have to ask you this on the nicest way possible. Are you sure you are ready for surgery? There may be circumstances that I don't know about causing you to gain weight. Just move on from here and do this!!

Just had a bad holiday. Fully committed. just hit a speed bump. Thanks for the advice!!

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Man I completely understand. It's so hard! Before the sleeve I had to work hard NOT to eat. Now, 8 weeks post op, I have to make myself eat to get all the Protein I need. Such a difference!!! It is wonderful.

Good luck to you!!!

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Dang that's crazy!

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I have Aetna and they require 90 days of a nutritionist guided dietary advise. It was 3 nutritionist visits. They didn't require (for me) any particular weight loss goal, but they wouldn't tolerate any weight loss gain during the 90 days. So if you say weighed 300lbs at the beginning, anything more than 300 meant you failed.

What I can say is... If you don't think you can lose any weight under the guidance of a nutritionist over a 90 day period of time... Surgery and the changes that come after it might overwhelm you. The 90 days with the nutritionist is a walk in the park compared to the first month after surgery.

Something to think about.

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I was at the minimum bmi so had to keep my weight within a pound or two, either by drinking alot of fluids prior to Dr. weigh in or carring my phone and spare charger packs etc., etc. Fluid loss or gain is so quick it can get you. I am having a cluster post op cause I weighed in 2 pounds light day of surgery. Had to cash pay and now filing to see if Aetna will approve. Their first reaction is no.So maintain level, if you lose they will say keep losing, if you gain, bad. I had it wrote up that due to actual knee and back issues, unable to do much exercising. [co morbidities, also, blood pressure, etc.] If you have any medical issues, make sure your primary care Dr. sends a letter with you to your Surgeon. Good luck to you!

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Had my appt yesterday... All is well! actually lost around 6 lbs since last weigh in. I asked about the requirements and she told me that the middle weights don't matter as long as I am not heavier then when I started. Aetna does have a new requirement though. I have to meet with the surgeon after the last visit with nutritionist so he can sign off on it. Last appt Feb 11th. Should be smooth sailing from there. Thanks for the advice!!

Edited by billyfromphilly

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According to my plan, I could not gain a single pound from one month to the next. Instant denial.

If that is the case with you, go on a liquid diet. Postpone another week of possible. Say you are sick or something. LOW carbs. LOW sugar. When you go to her and weigh, wear very light clothes. Take off your shoes. No under clothes hahaha. Can you meet with her via phone? That way you can "tell" her your weight instead of show her, if you know what I mean. Others may not agree with me, but oh well. We all have our opinions. I know what I would do.

I have to ask you this on the nicest way possible. Are you sure you are ready for surgery? There may be circumstances that I don't know about causing you to gain weight. Just move on from here and do this!!

Had my appt yesterday... All is well! actually lost around 6 lbs since last weigh in. I asked about the requirements and she told me that the middle weights don't matter as long as I am not heavier then when I started. Aetna does have a new requirement though. I have to meet with the surgeon after the last visit with nutritionist so he can sign off on it. Last appt Feb 11th. Should be smooth sailing from there. Thanks for the advice!!

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thats awesome!!!! it will be here before you know it!!!!!

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I have Aetna and I'm in Missouri and my policy said no net weight gain buuuuut at my very first weigh in my weight was recorded wrong they had me 35 lbs lighter then I actually was so by the end of my 6 months it looked like I gained 35lbs but it didn't get caught til after my documents was submitted for approval so my patient advocate was in the process of getting ready for an appeal because we thought it was gone be denied but I was approved in less then 24 hrs and my surgery date is February 10!!!

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