I have yet to go to the doctor, but his "people" have told me I am approved through Medicare PROVIDED I go through a 6 month diet plan. Since it is 2 weeks until my very first visit, I wonder why and what are they requiring? Weight Watchers? Jenny Craig? What? Also, am I going to be required to lose weight that way? What's the point?

I also have Medicare (meaning plain old Medicare with a type F Medicare supplement, as opposed to a Medicare Advantage plan). For me the approval was almost automatic, and I didn't have to wait 6 months and lose weight. I was approved in a couple days. I had to do a 2-week pre-surgery diet, but that was after the surgery was approved.

The surgeon indicated that I needed the surgery even though I wasn't as heavy as many patients because I had some comorbidities. If you also have plain old Medicare and you're similarly situated, I suspect your approval would be the same.

Thanks, Dave. That's so strange...even in the Medicare book, it says a 6-month medically supervised program. I have Tricare as my secondary. Maybe that's the difference.

it depends insurance - not sure what Medicare requires. My insurance company required it be done with a physician or a registered dietitian, but some companies also allow programs like Weight Watchers as long as it's well documented.