I began my six month supervised diet last week.

1- My current BMI is 37.75 just 2.75 points above the min of 35 BMI required for surgery. If I lose more than 19 pounds over the next six months I do not qualify.

Has anyone had to cheat in order not go under 35 BMI? Is this something that I should not worry about? I have a feeling that my PCP will question the failure more than 3 pounds a month. Plus, I feel it a waste not to make a 100% attempt at weight loss. Do I think too much? Thoughts?

What does your insurance require? What is their policy?

My insurance will not approve below a BMI of 40 with no other medical issues. So during the 6-month diet, I was told by the nurse case manager for my insurance company that if I went below a 40BMI they would not approve. It was very stressful for me not gaining but not losing to much. Crazy!

Now, not all insurance companies are like the insurance I have. Some take your first weigh in during the supervised diet and others take your first weigh in with the bariatric surgeon. That is why it is important to find out what the policy is for your specific insurance.

What T said above.

I started at 37.7 (with much ado) and am now 4 pounds above my minimum (2 weigh ins left). My PCP actually scolded me for losing 4 pounds last month...she said I lost too much! If your PCP has been through this with any other patients they'll get it...if not, educate them. I certainly feel this is frustrating, especially the one time I'd like to be dieting and getting into good habits, but I'd go through this again in a heartbeat. So many people go through way more than 'not losing weight' to get their bands, so it sounds laughable to complain, but I have too.

Thinking about what some people have had to go through just to get the band really puts things into perspective. A very very slow weight loss is better than being a self pay. Thanks !

I am at the same numbers but the possibility of a 6 month diet was not mentioned in my consult. I am awaiting my appointment date for pre-op testing. What insurance do you guys have? I have Personal Choice... I pray to God I don't have to go through this!!! :thumbup:

My nutritionist said that the insurance companies want to see you lose wait during these 6 months to show that you can commit yourself to the new lifestyle change you are going to have to make after the surgery as well. She said she's had people drop below the minimum BMI after the 6 months, but the surgery was still approved because of what the BMI was when the people first started.

it is all about your insurance. as long as you have a significant history of being obese and attempting weight loss that is what they usually look at. I started at 5'6 223 and was one month post partum when i saw my pcp for lap banding. i did EVERYTHING they told me. i wrote a two page letter listing every year for the last 25 years how i was losing and gaining (one year i was 160 the next year i was 210) i never missed an appt. i would lose or gain 2 pounds (on purpose) during my 6 month "diet" if you go to your surgeon and you are 160 pounds (even though you started at 200+) he won't do surgery on you. just stay the way u are and do everything they ask. (i had high blood pressure and high cholesterol to qualify)

What she said...it all depends on the insurance co., and apparently the area you live in. I went to 3 hospital seminars here and one sent me home with a document saying the expectation was that you should not lose weight...they even suggested '5 pounds or so'. The hospital I chose had me meet with their insurance expert at the surgeons office. I asked her point blank if I could go below the 35 minimum during my 6 mo. She said "Then you wouldn't need the surgery, would you?" They aren't legally allowed to tell you not to lose weight, but you need to listen to what they DO say.

My ins is BC/BS of FL, and they required the 6 month diet. My bmi is right around 40 although I have numerous co-morbidities. I lost 4 pounds in 6 months and everyone was satisfied. They said it was a matter of "accountability" that I showed up every month for my weighin, etc. I've now been approved and my date is March 9th.

Oh thank you for starting this thread! I am starting out my weight loss diet at bmi of 35.5 after losing about 35 lbs on my own and now I am stuck. I would think my photographs would be enough to show I can diet!

Arp