I had my very first consult with my surgeon last week. I LOVED HIM! He probably spent an hour or better just chatting with me about the surgery, benefits, complications, expectations, etc. It was a wonderful visit! That being said.... there is SO MUCH MORE paperwork and red tape and hoops to jump through than I ever imagined. I am a nurse so I have an insight to how insurance rules the world, but I had no idea!! For example, my insurance requires me to show proof of being followed by my family doctor for 6 months for weight loss.... Ok, no problem, we've got that. The catch is, it has to be 6 consecutive months, which I don't have, because my doc would see me and then say check back in with me in 6-8 weeks.... UGH! So, not knowing then what I know now, I have to start back at square 1 with the family doc for 6 months before we can set up surgery.......................... I just keep telling myself it's going to be worth it but DANG INSURANCE COMPANIES!!!!

Insurance requirements can feel so defeating at times. Like you, I found out that I needed 6 consecutive months of nutrition visits. It's like seriously?! That being said, the time goes really fast. I have my fifth visit this month. I can't believe the final visit is in a month. It sounds like if you start now you could have your surgery by the end of summer, which is great! Best of luck on your journey!

Per my insurance company's policy, I had to schedule six monthly diet visits with my doc as well. I thought it would take FOREVER but I'm already on month four, hoping my surgery will be scheduled in April. Yes, it's pretty frustrating but we'll get there!

I guess what I'm frustrated with the most is that I have my 6 months and then some..... They just aren't CONSECUTIVE..... Totally bummed.

Yeah, that's pretty crummy -- to basically have the six monthly visits in your pocket but not having them count because the months weren't consecutive.

I just keep telling myself, "This will be my last November at this weight," "The next time I Celebrate Christmas, I will be at a healthier weight," "This will be my last January at this weight," and so on. It has helped me to stay motivated the these last few months.

That's a great way of thinking about it Mochamommy!

Yeah, that's pretty crummy -- to basically have the six monthly visits in your pocket but not having them count because the months weren't consecutive.

I just keep telling myself, "This will be my last November at this weight," "The next time I celebrate Christmas, I will be at a healthier weight," "This will be my last January at this weight," and so on. It has helped me to stay motivated the these last few months.

One of the doctors told me that there's no medical need whatsoever for the six month requirement. The insurance companies just don't want to spend the money, so they make you wait 6 months hoping that either you won't complete the program, in which case no surgery. You lose interest, in which case no surgery. Or you drop dead, in which case no surgery. Any way they can save money is good for them.

I have make the choice to change my life also. I too have to do 6 months of weight loss with family dr and psych evaluation and 3 years of weight loss charts. It sounds like a lifetime 6 months that is but I did this to myself and if only 6 months is standing in my way, I've got this!

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The health group I'm with has a designated bariatric program which has scheduled meetings, helps you get everything done you need for insurance requirements.

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That is an awesome outlook! I'm totally stealing this and doing it for myself too! On that note, I called and scheduled my Jan. appt with my doc today!

Yeah, that's pretty crummy -- to basically have the six monthly visits in your pocket but not having them count because the months weren't consecutive.

I just keep telling myself, "This will be my last November at this weight," "The next time I celebrate Christmas, I will be at a healthier weight," "This will be my last January at this weight," and so on. It has helped me to stay motivated the these last few months.

I'm sure that's 100% true! Insurance truly does run the world!

One of the doctors told me that there's no medical need whatsoever for the six month requirement. The insurance companies just don't want to spend the money, so they make you wait 6 months hoping that either you won't complete the program, in which case no surgery. You lose interest, in which case no surgery. Or you drop dead, in which case no surgery. Any way they can save money is good for them.

I have a folder full of "stuff" to be done. I'm slowly checking things off and I scheduled my Jan. appt with my family doc.... I've got this! I guess it's part of the "its a marathon not a sprint" mentality that they're prepping us all for!

I have made my 1st appt with my family dr for the 6 month journey. It will start tomorrow! Not looking back just looking forward

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