Weight Loss Before the Band???

[smcgill721 0]

I'm at the very begginning of the process. I'm going to the seminar today!! I was wondering if I should try and loose a few pounds before the surgery? Will that make a difference? Is there a such thing as loosing to much and the insurance not approving you? I can start a diet and loose about 10 pounds, but then I fall off from there. That's where I need lapband to step in and HELP!! Did anyone else loose a few pounds beforehand to jumpstart the process?

[Nean4488 1]

Your insurance should go by your starting BMI.. but you would have have to check with them. I am getting banded monday and I have lost 31 pounds since I started my 3 month diet at the end of January. I am hoping to be down to 35 by the time surgery comes around..

I was told that the less you way the less chance of complications. I was just doing it for me tho, a jump start on the weight loss and now my pants fit better!

[karmaandkismet 0]

Nean, how to you get your dates to automatically show up at the bottom of your posts?

[Nean4488 1]

Go to quick links at the top right of the page and click it and look for edit signature. Whatever you write there will show up every time you post.

[smcgill721 0]

I was wondering the same thing about the signature...Thanks!!

[mscafe32 0]

Talk to the person who deals with the insurance companies for your surgeon. He/she should be able to tell you what your insurance company is looking for.

At my first Nutrition appointment, the benefits coordinator came in to talk to me and basically told me that because my BMI was right at 40.1 with no co-morbidities, I needed to maintain my weight and not lose anything. I told her that I was getting ready to stop breastfeeding my daughter and anticipated that I would gain around 10lbs when my metabolism went back to normal. Because she is familiar with how each insurance company works, she was able to instruct the doctor and the nutritionist to both put notes in my file that stated I was currently breastfeeding and anticipated a 10lb weight gain once the baby was weened. During my 3rd nutrition visit, I told the nutritionist that I was going to wean my daughter the following week. She put another note in my file. At my next appointment, I had gained 9lbs. But since everything had been properly documented, it wasn't an issue. There are some insurance companies that will not approve your surgery if you gain weight, and even some doctors can extend your supervised weight loss if they are not satisfied with your progress and/or effort. There are also some insurance companies that base your approval on your weight after the supervised diet and some will even look at both. That is why the very first person (unless you are self-pay) that you talk to should be the benefits coordinator. Good luck.

[KimDB 0]

You should follow what your insurance company and surgery program ask of you. The big rule here is don't improvise your own programs.

Back when I joined the forum in January, there was indeed one person who had posted that they had lost so much weight on their pre-op diet that their doctor no longer felt they needed the surgery. I have heard of others who have had to gain weight in order to have a BMI high enough to qualify them for the surgery.

It was one of my first questions, what if I lose weight on the pre-op diet and don't qualify anymore? Their answer was that the Dr. and insurance go by your starting weight in order to qualify you for the surgical procedure, which should also apply to your insurance if you are using it. Insurance is so different across the board.

Many (but definitely not all!) programs recommend a certain amount of pre-op weight loss to clear the belly of some fat before surgery, shrink the liver for a safer surgery, as well as accustom the patient to living an altered, controlled lifestyle.

From my perspective, it can't hurt. I look at pre-op weight loss as weight that at least won't come back.

[CurvyCat 0]

I worried about the same thing. But it seems most insurance companies go by the weight you are at your initial consult (not the seminar).

I was told by my insurance liaison that my weight loss during my 3-month diet probably worked in my favor in getting approved. I did not have all the medical history the way they would have wanted, but she said that my compliance during the diet showed that I am serious about this and that I am a good investment in the company's eyes for the procedure.

So, if your insurance goes by the same guidelines and uses your starting BMI, go for it! Getting a head start on things is fantastic. I love knowing that I could by almost halfway there BEFORE I get my band. :smile2:

[machan30 0]

This is interesting. While I know that insurance company rules are so different that comparing them is impossible, mine actually would NOT approve the surgery if I lost 10% of my weight during the 6 month supervised diet. I am over 300lbs, so it would have been great to lose 30 pounds, but that would have made me a self pay. Go figure.

[stargate713 0]

Don't lose any weight prior to your weigh in at your first surgeon's appointment, that's the weight your insurance will use (actually your BMI) Unless of course you are way above the required BMI for approval. Most insurance company's require your BMI to be at least 40 or 35 with comorbidities....but like machan30 stated CHECK YOUR OWN INSURANCE!!! They vary wildly. Good luck with your journey!

[Kristy29 0]

I just went to the seminar last week, and it also included meeting with the nurse practitioner and dietitian, so it counted as my first appointment. The weight they took when I walked in that day is what is considered my weight for approval. My surgeon requires a 5% weight loss of all patients, or he will not do the surgery. You will find out at the seminar what is required of you from your surgeon and your insurance company. Good luck!

[Manda87 3]

I agree with everyone. It depends on your BMI and your insurance. My BMI is high so losing any weight wouldn't have really affected my chances of approval. I did end up losing 5 pounds on my own. However, it doesn't hurt to start eating healthy and exercising though... things don't change once you have the band. It doesn't turn on some switch in your brain that says "starting eating better now."