Nutrition Counseling

[kewlshort1 4]

I've gone to 3 of my 6 insurance mandated nutrition counseling appointments so far. (I have Humana insurance). I'm a little concerned though, because I haven't lost any weight. In fact, both of my appointments after the initial one, I had gained a pound!

What exactly is the insurance looking for? I've seen some people comment that they needed to show a percentage weight loss during that time, and others say it wasn't necessary. What's your experience?

[on the way to the new me 18]

I am with you. I went to my counseling session and feel like i have learned nothing. Pretty much i was told to follow weight watchers. I am not sure what the point is. if it was so easy to just follow weight watchers i wouldn't be looking to have surgery!

[arkansasmom 0]

Insurance companies all have their own standard. I was surprised how lenient mine was. One nutritionist vist (a complete waste of time) and a psyc. evaluation, also a waste but required. Only other requirement was 6 months of physcian managed weight loss (diet pills). I had already done that numerous times. I contacted my insurance company myself and got the requirements before I got too far into it. You may want to do the same.

[Michelle Page 0]

Insurance companies all have their own standard. I was surprised how lenient mine was. One nutritionist vist (a complete waste of time) and a psyc. evaluation, also a waste but required. Only other requirement was 6 months of physcian managed weight loss (diet pills). I had already done that numerous times. I contacted my insurance company myself and got the requirements before I got too far into it. You may want to do the same.

Hello ! I was reading your post and saw that they want you to take diet pills, are you referring to Fastins and etc ?

[blessedmom2fourkids 0]

Hi - My insurance company required three months of consecutive dietian appointments, but there is no requirement on their part to lose weight. But, the place I chose to have surgery does require you to lose weight. For me it was 10 lbs in the three months. If you haven't lost it within 2 weeks of your surgery date they will postpone your surgery until you've lost it. They basically said they wanted to see how serious their potential patients were about the weight loss and wanted to see if they could make the changes they will have to eventually make later. I did lose the weight within the first month by telling myself that I wanted this bad enough to buckle down and give it my all. I know its not easy, believe me I know. My nutritionist gave me a calorie goal for each day and I track my calories using www.livestrong.com which is totally free. I workout about 5 days a week. If you have to lose a certain amount of weight contact your nutritionist again and ask them for more detailed info on how you can do it, if they don't require you to lose then attend your last three sessions and just do what you can. I think the insurance companies just want it documented that you tried something and didn't just revert to surgery. I've tried everything myself and have been successful in losing, only to gain it all back eventually :-)