So I'm a bit nervous. My insurance (BCBS VA) requires a 7 month diet before they will approve weight loss surgery. I'm on month 2 and just feeling a bit uneasy. What if I do all the testing, ultra sounds, psych visits and basically jump through all the hoops and get declined at the end? My bmi is 40, and I have high blood pressure but that's it. Anyone else with similar feelings or stats? I need this so badly but the uncertainty is bothering me.

So I'm a bit nervous. My insurance (BCBS VA) requires a 7 month diet before they will approve weight loss surgery. I'm on month 2 and just feeling a bit uneasy. What if I do all the testing, ultra sounds, psych visits and basically jump through all the hoops and get declined at the end? My bmi is 40, and I have high blood pressure but that's it. Anyone else with similar feelings or stats? I need this so badly but the uncertainty is bothering me.

I went through the entire 6 months like this, and only half-assedly did the diet. Once I was approved I got much more serious about it tbh. The person who runs my program deals with BC/BS every day and did not think there was any reason why I wouldn't be approved, and she was right there was no issue/approved first time submitted.

4 hours ago, annam1978 said:

So I'm a bit nervous. My insurance (BCBS VA) requires a 7 month diet before they will approve weight loss surgery. I'm on month 2 and just feeling a bit uneasy. What if I do all the testing, ultra sounds, psych visits and basically jump through all the hoops and get declined at the end? My bmi is 40, and I have high blood pressure but that's it. Anyone else with similar feelings or stats? I need this so badly but the uncertainty is bothering me.

Yes, I've had these thoughts, as well. During this journey, it is important that I maintain a positive outlook and perspective. With that being said, I will use this time to learn all that I can, not just about the surgery but about myself, as well. What is my relationship with food? When did I begin this way? How am I emotionally? Exercise? What is my reason for not doing so? I have a 6 month delay...I am using each test, each dr. visit, each new way of eating as a tool for success even if I am not approved for surgery.

My BMI is 38, I am a person with diabetes, GERD, PCOS, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The surgery is not the end all, be all. It is a tool that I must work along with the other tools in the box. Therefore, if I happen to not be able to use the surgery tool, I will take all that I learn (the other tools) and make them work for me.

I say put your best effort forward and use this time to prepare for a lifestyle change even if surgery is not approved for you. Replace every negative thought with a positive one. Anxiety and uncertainty are real. However, use it to your advantage!

Wishing you success in your journey, it truly is a Daily Encounter (now you know why I've chosen this user name for this forum).

Yes, I've had these thoughts, as well. During this journey, it is important that I maintain a positive outlook and perspective. With that being said, I will use this time to learn all that I can, not just about the surgery but about myself, as well. What is my relationship with food? When did I begin this way? How am I emotionally? Exercise? What is my reason for not doing so? I have a 6 month delay...I am using each test, each dr. visit, each new way of eating as a tool for success even if I am not approved for surgery.
My BMI is 38, I am a person with diabetes, GERD, PCOS, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The surgery is not the end all, be all. It is a tool that I must work along with the other tools in the box. Therefore, if I happen to not be able to use the surgery tool, I will take all that I learn (the other tools) and make them work for me.
I say put your best effort forward and use this time to prepare for a lifestyle change even if surgery is not approved for you. Replace every negative thought with a positive one. Anxiety and uncertainty are real. However, use it to your advantage!
Wishing you success in your journey, it truly is a Daily Encounter (now you know why I've chosen this user name for this forum).

Thank you so much for your kind words! You are exactly right! I have been researching and trying to learn everything possible. The only thing I have not done is try to get to the bottom of my eating and the why's. I appreciate your advice. I also have GERD so hopefully I'm granted this helpful tool, but as you said there is so much more to it :-)

5 minutes ago, annam1978 said:

Thank you so much for your kind words! You are exactly right! I have been researching and trying to learn everything possible. The only thing I have not done is try to get to the bottom of my eating and the why's. I appreciate your advice. I also have GERD so hopefully I'm granted this helpful tool, but as you said there is so much more to it :-)

Oh, you're welcome! We're in this together! I love to journal, so I've began a "Daily Encounters" journal to document my thoughts, feelings, questions, during this time. I include my food and water intake and exercise. I've also created a binder to include any article that I've read that was helpful to me. I also include the notes from my doctor visits and all of the paperwork/documentation received from all of my appointments.

You can only take this one step at a time, day by day. I am on this journey alone. I've learned early on that everyone is not "for" you or always want to offer their opinion on why you shouldn't have the surgery. See, they look at it as cosmetic only; they don't understand the daily battles we face with our health and being overweight. They don't understand that surgery was not a quick decision for us or the "easy way out," as someone told me.

Please feel free to reach out anytime! We are all here for support!

So I'm a bit nervous. My insurance (BCBS VA) requires a 7 month diet before they will approve weight loss surgery. I'm on month 2 and just feeling a bit uneasy. What if I do all the testing, ultra sounds, psych visits and basically jump through all the hoops and get declined at the end? My bmi is 40, and I have high blood pressure but that's it. Anyone else with similar feelings or stats? I need this so badly but the uncertainty is bothering me.

Hello! I'm just 13 days post op RNY, but I do understand how you are feeling. Being nervous with this decision is very normal and is in no way "the easy way out". I had only a 3 month diet prior to being ok'ed for surgery.
I then met my surgeon and then all the hoop jumping began! I started on November 2nd, 2016 and had my surgery on June 21st, 2017.
Understand this though, every doctor and insurance company are different in how they approach WLS. If you have questions about your insurance, call them and ask. I found out my doctors office misinformed me about a lot of what my insurance covered and such. I called both my insurance company and my doctor and set my mind at ease.
Remember this is a tool and not a cure, but you have come this far and you will do great! Keep educating yourself, stay positive, and believe in yourself! You can do this and we are all here to cheer you on! We all understand how you feel and where you are coming from. You're not alone! Feel free to message me if I can ever help! [emoji16]

Hello! I'm just 13 days post op RNY, but I do understand how you are feeling. Being nervous with this decision is very normal and is in no way "the easy way out". I had only a 3 month diet prior to being ok'ed for surgery.
I then met my surgeon and then all the hoop jumping began! I started on November 2nd, 2016 and had my surgery on June 21st, 2017.
Understand this though, every doctor and insurance company are different in how they approach WLS. If you have questions about your insurance, call them and ask. I found out my doctors office misinformed me about a lot of what my insurance covered and such. I called both my insurance company and my doctor and set my mind at ease.
Remember this is a tool and not a cure, but you have come this far and you will do great! Keep educating yourself, stay positive, and believe in yourself! You can do this and we are all here to cheer you on! We all understand how you feel and where you are coming from. You're not alone! Feel free to message me if I can ever help! [emoji16]

Thanks for the advice! I never thought to contact my insurance company directly, I'll do that to see what the requirements are to set my mind at ease, thank you so much. It's nice to have the support of all of you during this journey!

That's how I felt when I went through mine. But all of the feelings of uneasiness were for nothing. I was at the same BMI when I started with nothing else wrong with me but got approved anyway. If I can get approved then so can you. [emoji846]If it doesn't happen then you can always appeal their decision.


----------------------------

HW- 273
Pre-op Wt- 230
SW- 226
CW- 186
GW- 130
Ht- 5'2.5"
DOS- April 26th, 2017

"Only those who try will become." ~FFX