Could someone please tell me why insurance companies require a medically supervised diet? What are they looking for? Isn't it enough that years of trying everything in the book to lose weight didn't help? Thanks for your replies:)

It is the insurance companies way of seeing if you will be compliant with the diet...if you are compliant then that means you will most likely be compliant once you get banded. I know its red tape bs!!! I had 8 monthes of that! being banded july 29th! Wish you luck with your endeavors! :biggrin:

OMG!!! i totally feel you. thats the question i have been asking all along. i feel its more of a way to keep you discouraged, to make you want to give up. I dont think they really care about the well being of their customers. Thats just my opinion and my experience. But dont give up if you ever thought about it. Make em' pay!!

It is like Debski said, to document whether you can be compliant.

The Lap Band is wonderful but it is just a tool to make it easier for you to lose weight. I haven't been here long but I have already seen a few people come here thinking that the band is a magic wand where they don't have to do their part to lose weight and that just isn't the case.

The lap band will stop the stomach hunger but you still have to control your head hunger and cravings and accept the fact that no matter how great the food is, you will only be able to eat a small amount of it or YOU WILL become sick. And you will not be able to eat your next meal until you are actually hungry...some people just love food way too much to be able to make that sacrafice. The band is not for everyone and the Insurance companies want to make sure you are able to make the band work before they shell out all that cash.

Edited July 22, 200818 yr by Jodi_620

I agree with you do have to control your head hunger. I just beginning the whole lap band process but I have also been in therapy for almost 8 months to deal with my other issues so I can be successful.

Thanks for your replies. I do have to deal with head hunger. My concern with the medically supervised diet is that I have a BMI of 40 and if I lose weight then my insurance company won't cover it. I have an appointment today and I actually gained 3 pounds since I started the medically supervised diet. The only thing I was instructed to do is keep a food journal. So...am I suppose to be losing weight??? I am so confused :confused2:

kerrik54304,

Which insurance company are you dealing with? Maybe someone who has dealt with the same company can help you out there.