I was told at my doctors office that some insurances extend the time period to see that you are truly dedicated to the goal of losing weight. I met a lady my pre-op doctors meeting whose insurance required her to do 18 months under a doctors supervision. Her doctor told her that if she missed any weigh in and appointments that they would decline her. I was the same, went up in lbs one month, down the next and then back up. However i did loose 12lbs on the two week pre -op diet. Just got banded yesterday! Good luck with you!