So yesterday I began my monitored diet with my personal doctor. I have been overweight my whole life, and have tried every diet out there. I actually went on my first diet when I was five!! I have been successful before when dieting, but my problem is that I cant ever keep it off. My question is what do the insurance companies look for? I know I have to stay within my 40 BMI for them to cover it, but I only could loose about 5 lbs to stay within that range. If I do not loose weight, will they still cover it. I am just wondering what they look for?!?

Thanks for your help!!

So yesterday I began my monitored diet with my personal doctor. I have been overweight my whole life, and have tried every diet out there. I actually went on my first diet when I was five!! I have been successful before when dieting, but my problem is that I cant ever keep it off. My question is what do the insurance companies look for? I know I have to stay within my 40 BMI for them to cover it, but I only could loose about 5 lbs to stay within that range. If I do not loose weight, will they still cover it. I am just wondering what they look for?!?

Thanks for your help!!

This is the age old question and there is no one that really knows.... we have all heard it both ways... The good news is.......... They use the weight to submit for insurance approval from your first appt.

I too am on a 6 month supervised consult program. I have finished 5 meetings and will go to the last one in 16 days. What I did was the first month I blew the diet ate what I wanted... Second month I cut out of of the fast foods and sodas around the third month I started thinking I will take it a little more serious and I lost about 5 pounds a month since.... so I now look at it as every single ounce I lose now I will NEVER have to lose again... This is a great way to jump start your weight loss.

I wouldn't begin starving yourself or anything I would use this as a time to prepare your body for the lifestyle changes that you're about to make. Embrace this oppurtunity to change your life and in the meantime read up the forums to gain knowledge

Happy bandings!

Thanks for the info. I have my consultation April 4th and I know my doctor will give me more information, but I have my heart set on this surgery and I am so nervous that it is not going to work out! I know that if it is meant to be, it will happen.

I can relate with you. I'm currently doing a 3 month dietician supervised program (for insurance req's). I'm cutting back on a lot of things (fast food, sugar) but, I'm not starving. I figure hell, if I could've done it the right way I wouldn't need the surgery!

Any weight I lose right now will just make my surgery that much easier, but I'm not starving or making myself crazy over it. Just taking one day at a time. (I'm not even close to 40BMI, but I hope to be someday )

You might check with your insurance company to see if they have a required % that you have to lose prior to WLS. Mine doesnt, I made sure and asked.