6 month diet before approval

[Tapnjojo 2]

I am at the very beginning of my insurance required 6 mo medically monitored diet. It is 700-1000 calories a day. I'm so hungry, I can't imagine being able to keep it up for 6 months. I'm afraid if I really keep on track that I won't qualify for the surgery if I lose too much. Then, because this is a crash diet, I will gain it all back. Frustrated and nauseous

[RickM 1,747]

Who is requiring it to be 700-1000 calories? Most such insurance requirements that I have seen don't specify a calorie limit (nor should they, given the wide variety of patients covered by such requirements) but a more generalized statement about a limited or controlled calorie diet, maybe with something about increased exercise levels.

Philosophically, I look to these requirements, though of dubious value other than for discouraging less serious patients from WLS and saving the insurance company some money, as an opportunity to start developing the good lifestyle habits that will serve them well in the very long term, which will also usually yield some moderate weight loss during its term.

Take a look at what the actual insurance requirements are (there should be a policy bulletin about WLS requirements on the company's website) and discuss them and your specific needs with whomever is imposing this requirement on you. You can consider changing doctors or programs if you don't get a satisfactory solution.

Best of luck,

[Tapnjojo 2]

It's the diet they gave me during my consultation. 3 of their or comparable Protein Shakes and one meal of 3oz lean meat and 1 cup of approved veggies. I will talk to my Insurance co. Thanks

Edited September 23, 2017 by Tapnjojo

[Hopep4673 120]

wow that sounds a lot like the pre op liver shrinking diet that my surgeon told me ill have to do for 2 weeks prior to surgery...

[biginjapan 647]

I would be worried about that too. Have they said why your calories have to be so low, and for so long? Even when I was on my pre-op diet I was told to stay above 800 calories if possible (and even more when I was post-op), since getting so little in can wreak havoc on your metabolism. Look at the Biggest Loser contestants they studied a couple years ago - every single one of them had a worse RMR after the program than before, and most gained weight back because they could never increase their calories to a more normal range without it affecting their weight.

[Introversion 1,876]

22 minutes ago, Tapnjojo said:

It's the diet they gave me during my consultation. 3 of their or comparable Protein Shakes and one meal of 3oz lean meat and 1 cup of approved veggies. I will talk to my Insurance co. Thanks

This is the exact two-week diet plan my bariatric surgeon's office required me to follow for the two weeks leading up to surgery. The point of it was to shrink my liver.

This diet plan is utterly unsustainable for six months.

Most people who follow six-month supervised diets for insurance purposes aren't required to follow a pre-op diet that provides them with less than 1000 calories a day.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@Tapnjojo

Find a new DR.

ASAP.

[RickM 1,747]

1 hour ago, Tapnjojo said:

It's the diet they gave me during my consultation. 3 of their or comparable Protein Shakes and one meal of 3oz lean meat and 1 cup of approved veggies. I will talk to my Insurance co. Thanks

I would talk to the surgeon's people to verify that this is what they want you doing for the six months. It is not unusual for a couple of weeks pre-op for those docs who need to do the "liver shrinking" thing, but six months is counterproductive. Perhaps things got confused between your six month insurance requirement and the surgeon's week or two requirement?

If not, and they want you to do this for six months, I would look seriously at finding another program.

[Rainbow_Warrior 996]

In an extreme case, this period can be six WEEKS but I've not heard of six MONTHS until you mentioned it.

I'm tipping a misunderstanding or an unfortunate glitch.

Contact the practice or the dietitian ASAP to clarify that you heard it right or that it was written down correctly.

Do NOT change doctor unless you find out that it's not a glitch/miscommunication.

[ojibway 203]

I had to do a 6 month pre-op diet for my insurance to cover the surgery, it was well worth the work I ate six small meals a day and wasn't allowed to gain any weight during that 6 months, It actually prepared me for the surgery, because by the time I had to the the liver reduction phase during the last 2 weeks, it was easy. I had NO problems with the surgery and since I was used to eating 6 times a day the after surgery diet phases were easy too. I suggest taking this 6 months to learn how to be a bariatric patient and listen to your Doctor and Nut.

[Tapnjojo 2]

I agree with the concept of dieting to get ready for this life change and if I was told to eat 4-6 small meals a day, no problem. My concern is how low cal this diet is and there is actually only eating one time a day. I looked through all of my paperwork again and I think there is a step missing. I will be calling the Doctor on Monday. Thanks for the encouragement!

[Tapnjojo 2]

Thanks everyone. Your comment have convinced me I've misunderstood! I'm so glad I found this sight.

[ojibway 203]

4 minutes ago, Tapnjojo said:

I agree with the concept of dieting to get ready for this life change and if I was told to eat 4-6 small meals a day, no problem. My concern is how low cal this diet is and there is actually only eating one time a day. I looked through all of my paperwork again and I think there is a step missing. I will be calling the Doctor on Monday. Thanks for the encouragement!

I think mine was around 1200 to 1800 a day. I looked for my paperwork, but couldn't find it, sorry. I gave up soda, coffee and alcohol and concentrated on Proteins and veggies, I think I drank at least 2 Protein Shakes a day as my Snacks and very minimal carbs. and walked at least 1 mile a day. it was tough, but so I the huge change in lifestyle you are about to do. Please check with your Doctor and Nutritionalist. Best of Luck to you, BELIEVE me when I say that 6 months will fly by! It is all worth it in the end.

[RiveraAn 4]

I will refuse to follow any diet plan below 1300calories. 700-1000 is literally starving. Anyone can lose weight if they starve themselves.

Dont do it. Say you did it if you want. But don't do it.

[carole lakomec 0]

This is basically what you will be eating for the rest of your life unless you stretch your pouch. I'm 16 years out and I still eat the same way as I did earlier. Can buy a Delmonico steak and have 3-4 meals out of it. Having the gastric bypass you learn. I watch everything that I eat. So try to eat what they tell you and it will be worth it. Sugars will make you dump and you wish you hadn't eaten that treat. It only once and never again.