Insurance gave precertification but now I have to do a 6 month supervised diet program. Along with that I have to see my primary care physician once a month to "track" my weight loss. :frown: URGH!! I'm ready to have this done. . .not have to wait 6 months. Did anyone else have to jump thru hoops? :tt1: Also - wonder what the right amount of weight is to lose because I fear insurance will say "oh, you've lost x# pounds in 6 months, you don't need the band". Help - I'm so frustrated and disappointed by this news.

I have BCBS of MN and also had to do the 6 mos dr supervised weight loss. I used that time to do as much research and talk to as many people about the band and wls in general as I could. I feel very confident with my decision to get the band in a week and a half. The 6 mos went by very quickly. It was worth the wait. I feel I'm very well prepared for the surgery and my life with the band. Good luck to you!

Trust me that at the end of 6 months you will think wow that wasn't so bad.

I have BCBS of Minnesota they require 6 month diet. I was told my the insurance and the surgeon they use the weight from the initial consulation during the calculation of your BMI for approval. Either way I stayed over the 40 BMI. I ended up only losing about 12 lbs in the 6 months. During the 6 month process I slowly scheduled all the required appts as well. I did the physc eval, nutritional class (3 classes the surgeon required), Blood tests, meeting with the surgeon to discuss life changes. In the meantime just for fun I would go weigh myself in at the surgeons office.... So on top of the dietititan appts I also weighed in there so it was documented and my surgeon didn't charge for that.

My last appt was on 4/2 and right now it's all in the hands of my insurance :Dancing_wub:

Mandilou

You mention BCBS, can I ask what plan? What State? I am new to all of this and have my first appt on Wed 9 Apr. I suspect that I will have to do 6 mos too b/c I have Federal BCBS. It doesn't make sense to me, I have tried all my life to lose and they are paying a bundle for my cardiologist & my GP not to mention all the meds and medical equipment (CPAP and blood glucose reader/strips)---seems that they would want to pay the $$ upfront and forget about the other expenses eventually.

Actually I have BCBS of Illinois, although I live in Minneapolis. And while it's super frustrating to have to wait six months when you feel you've already waited a lifetime for this option to come along, I really do feel it's going to be good for me. Like others have said, I'm trying to be positive about it... get to the gym, get used to eating like a bandster, get used to the change in lifestyle and maybe even lose a little weight to get me jump-started.

Best wishes to you! In the meantime, I encourage you to jump into the exercise threads and commit to moving a little more, or eating a little more. Making little changes now will help us a lot when the band comes!

I have BCBS of NJ a PPO plan. and I have to do all of the same stuff for the next 6 months.

Congrats on turning it into a positive! I'll be starting my "6-months" May 1, so we can support one another. Just remember to DOCUMENT and make sure you visit your GP/nutritionist/dietician to ensure everything is in your medical records, so BCBS can't deny you!

:ohmy:

Hey Mandilou - YES we can support each other. I am going this afternoon after work to check out a Water aerobics class. I hope I like that so I can add it to my daily 1.5 mile that I'm walking at lunch to help with the loss process. I will join WW tomorrow after work. Which diet plan are you using?

I will be working with my dietician/nutritionist through my surgical center for a diet plan, but my fiance and I joined the gym this past weekend, so we'll be going daily to that.

I highly recommend "The Daily Plate" as well... another bandster turned me onto it and I've loved entering in my food and really seeing what I've been putting in my mouth. Helps me keep on track!

I was required to be on a diet or have my weight monitored by my Dr. for 1 year. Luckly I had been in the Veterans Move on program for over 2 years. So i didnt have to start over again. I also now have to record all my workout to prove take I can workout over 30 minutes a day. Did anyone else have to prove that other than the PT test workout?

Yes, I had to do the 6-mo dr supervised diet too. The time went faster than I thought it would. I'm glad I had that time to do more research and develop some good relationships with a local group of banders. I feel very ready for my surgery on the 17th. Use this time to your advantage. Learn all you can and then ask more questions and learn some more! Good luck!

Hello all, Just wanted to make sure to emphasize that your monthly checkups have to be exactly a month apart. I missed it by 2 weeks because my Dr. was out of the country for a class and I was denied because of it only after appeal and written explanation of the two overdue Dr. appoint did they ever approved me. I have Cigna and apparently they are very serious about their rules. I started this process back in August and surgery is scheduled for May 14th. I know you're anxious but hopefully it will all be worth it.

Good Luck

Susie

Hello all, Just wanted to make sure to emphasize that your monthly checkups have to be exactly a month apart. I missed it by 2 weeks because my Dr. was out of the country for a class and I was denied because of it only after appeal and written explanation of the two overdue Dr. appoint did they ever approved me. I have Cigna and apparently they are very serious about their rules. I started this process back in August and surgery is scheduled for May 14th. I know you're anxious but hopefully it will all be worth it.

Good Luck

Susie

I have GreatWest Cigna too - my first appt was yesterday the 7th and my next one is May 5th. Should I change the May appt to the 7th?:frown:

I love mydailyplate.com LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT ! I too read about it in a forum and joined right away. Did you know that a Panera Cinnamon Crunch bagel was 410 calories & 75g carbs? HECK NO I DIDNT - but I do now after I plugged it in so I ate a very good lunch to compensate. What a great tool.