Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hi everyone! I recently found out that my insurance (BCBS of Texas) is requiring me to do 6 months of medically supervised nutrition. I'm one visit in and cannot seem to wrap my head around waiting 6 months to finally have my sleeve surgery. It's so discouraging to make such a big life decision, be eligible, and then have to wait half a year to begin getting healthier. Does anyone have any tips or words of encouragement on how to make it through such a long wait? Thanks so much!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know. I have bcbs MA and have to do 6 months. I am only in the 2nd month. I am trying to think of starting healthy habits now

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had to do six months of medically supervised weight management before being seen by a surgeon. And then, only then, was I able to get an appointment with the surgeon. It had nothing to do with insurance protocols, it was what the weight loss program at the medical center requires.

I live in the Cleveland, Ohio area. There are three major medical centers here and each one seems to have a different set of protocols.

In the long run in my mind it came to follow-up care. I chose the one with not only the strictest preop but the best overall preop and postop support system. I couldn't ask for better!


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have Highmark BCBS and hey stopped doing the 6 month nut requirement in dec 2016. Look at ur medical policy online if u registered with ur insurance and it will tell u the policy requirements.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

They make you wait 6 month so you know what to do, see if your dedicated enough to actually have surgery. I am on BCBS of Mi from Kansas. It frustrating I know, I have 1 more group class then have to wait for approval. Hang in there you will learn a lot from classes worth it

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have BC Anthem and am also doing the 6 months. At first I was told it wasn't required and then I got a call from my coordinator and said it was. I was really bummed but then just accepted it, got my head right and am going to my 4th appointment in a few days. I scheduled all of my appointments in he beginning and made them a priority! It has really helped me make gradual changes and I think it is going to make me successful in he long run. I make one change a month that is going to me mandatory after surgery. You can do it! The insurance company does this to make sure you are committed and will be successful- prove that you can!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My advice is to get started now. I, too have BCBS (Anthem of Louisiana), and had to do the six month diet program. I decided from the very beginning that I was ready to make a change and I followed through. I lost 99 pounds during that six months (from 397 to 298 on surgery day). I used that time to re-define my relationship with food, conquer my food demons, and set myself on a course to have long-term success post-op. I have lost an additional 104 pounds since my surgery last September 28, and every day, I add 99 pounds to my current weight and think to myself if I hadn't done all of that pre-op work, I would weigh xxx pounds today. Also, all of the frustrations of post-op life (stalls, discomfort, food stages, etc.) were so much easier to deal with having already taken off half of the weight before the surgery.

The pre-op diet program was the best thing that ever happened to me. Too many people act as though the sleeve is some magic pill that will do all the work for them. That is a fallacy. In my journey, the sleeve is merely a supporting player. I am the star and I wouldn't be here without that six month experience.

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also had BCBS and had to do 6 months of weight loss. It ended up being a gift. I researched everything about the surgery, learned the post op nutrition and started a workout regimen. I only lost 10 lbs BUT it has made my post op experience SO much stronger. If you don't change your habits you won't be successful.

Sent from my XT1585 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also have BCBS TX and will be done with Month 5 next week. My doctors office will submit the insurance once the 6th visit is complete. They say once the insurance approves (which could take up to 30 days) then we can schedule surgery. They are currently scheduling through August which means even once I complete my 6 months it could be an additional 3 months before I ever have the surgery. Talk about frustrating.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have BCBS FEP and it's only 3 months. Last month I scheduled my final post op (next week) plus my tentative surgery date of July 31 at the same time. They said he surgeon is very busy so it was better to schedule the surgery and have to change it than get approved next week or the week after and have to wait a couple more months.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have BCBS FEP and it's only 3 months. Last month I scheduled my final post op (next week) plus my tentative surgery date of July 31 at the same time. They said he surgeon is very busy so it was better to schedule the surgery and have to change it than get approved next week or the week after and have to wait a couple more months.




I also have BCBS FED. Going to my visit on Monday. I only had to do 3 Mos too. How long did it take for you to be approved for surgery when you finished your requirements?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T337A using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My final appt is Thursday. I've seen people with FEP get approved in about a week. Probably depends on your surgeon's office. UCLA is typically on top of getting approvals quickly. My surgery isn't scheduled until a July 31 so I have a cushion.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i believe they passed a requirement either this year or last that states 6 months of nutrition counseling minimum. i have aetna & had to do 6 months. it goes by quicker than you think!! good luck!


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

With mine I had to do 7 months! Just finished June 1 and surgery scheduled July 18. Just go through it. I don't know about yours but with mine if I missed a month i would have had to start all over!


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×