I think it is just about meeting the insurance requirements and having documentation. During that time,I took suggestions from the nutritionist, eliminated certain things from my diet, increased excercise, and truthfully journaled EVERYTHING. I may have lost five pounds in that four month period (my ins. required 4 months). I'd lose a pound one month and gain 3 the next...yo-yo totally. Don't quote me but I don't think weightloss really matters until the pre-op. My bff had LB surgery too in Nov 2009, didn't lose a pound during her six month. Another friend had Gastric in 2007 and didn't lose during the six months either. One more, my cousin had bypass last summer. It was by for by Medicaid!!! and she didn't lose weight prior.

My insurance required 6 months or a doctor surpervised diet. What this involved was a weight check each month with the nurse, where they weighed me, asked how much I was exercising (I was honest and said none). The first 2 months I did fairly good on the diet and lost a little weight but gained it back over the following 4 months plus a few more It's mainly an insurance hoop to jump through. I just got approved a few weeks ago and my surgery is scheduled for 1/11/11. Right now I am on a 2 week pre-op diet which consists of 1200 calories a day and the two days prior to surgery I'm on a full liquid diet. Six months pass by quickly.

I enjoyed going to see my PCP doctor once a month for 6 months because I felt like I had someone to answer to besides myself. I didn't want to see disappointment on her face when I came in so I really tried to lose some weight. I lost 15 pounds over the 6 months. It's not a lot but I tried. I was only required to do 3 months but we decided to extend it ourselves to keep me on track until I had my surgery.

Hi. my insurance made me go see my primary care doctor for 6 months . I never lost a pound. And my insurance still covered me. Good luck

Insurance requirement for all and even though it was inconvenient to go see my family doctor once every six months plus attend other meetings (nutritionist, behavioral counselor, etc.), I am glad I did it. Not only to meet the requirements but to prove to myself that I was serious and set a goal and going forward with this surgery. I did it!!! November 29th.

I did not lose any weight while in those 6-month visits although I did try but it was when I started my 10-day liquid diet before surgery, which was also a requirement, is when I lost 8.5 pounds I believe.

Pretty awesome.

The need to lose before surgery is to shrink the liver as it lies above the stomach and hopefully prevents any damage when they are placing the lap band.

Hope each of you are doing well and seeing great results with your lap band.

It's a new year, it's a new me! Happy New Year

Thank you all for the advice,now I really don't feel too bad,I am so glad to have you all to ask,nothing better than to have someone that has already went through the process,Like I said before I've already went through 3 months and I hope that thats all I need to go through,but I know its all worth while,I am bound and determined to do this I have been researching for 2 yrs or better and I would cry like a baby if the doctor tells me that I couldnt get approved,wish me luck and may God be with each and every one of you through this New Year,..........

Like I said thank you all.....camille01

I really want to thank each and everyone of you for your encouragement,I was really excited after I left the doctors office because after I wrote down all my questions and the doctor answered them her self I felt that she took that special intrest in me,and I had a chance to make up my mind as to the procedure that I really want,I can tell you after I left and went to a group meeting I was so incited I really had my eyes wide opened to the testamonies....my heart went out to the people that had already had the surgery and came to share there experiance,,I think I want to set the fine example and be able to share my story to incurrage people too.....It really makes you feel really good...I just want to thank you all for your help...now I have my work cur out for me...I have 3 months left 4 more appointments left and I am finito-finished.....camille01