Lose Weight before surgery

[apple4dteacher 0]

If I lose weight with my Bariatric Diet Dr. while doing my 6 month wait period required by insurance, will I be denied surgery?

[Oopsseedaisy 90]

I am not sure. I was worried about the same thing. I was told by my surgeon's insurance navigator that if I lost 20 pounds in a month, I might get denied. And if I fell below 40 BMI I might not get approved. Ask questions regarding your particular situation.

[kellyw74 258]

I don't think so. I mean they approve you on what you weigh now. If you do a diet to lose waiting to be sleeved and go below 40 bmi, they should still do it.

My insurance does, I have Kaiser. I was 43 bmi and am now 34 bmi. I have lost 53lbs and my surgeon is THRILLED!! He said it will only help me post op and he will definatly still do the surgery. Besides, it will make me have a very short goal.

Good luck to you!

Kelly

[Day Dreamer 23]

If I lose weight with my Bariatric Diet Dr. while doing my 6 month wait period required by insurance, will I be denied surgery?

I suppose it is unique based on your insurance. My CoE said that I could not lose because I was already borderline BMI. They do have everyone do a 2 week, low carb, pre op diet. During the seminar a lady with UHC asked if she lost weight would she be denied and they told her that it was possible. At this point, I think the insurance companies are looking for any reason not to cover the surgery, so I am not going to give them one. Good Luck

[KristinaRN 54]

If I lose weight with my Bariatric Diet Dr. while doing my 6 month wait period required by insurance, will I be denied surgery?

I was told by the insurance coordinator at my surgeons office, and by the insurance company, that your approval is based on your INITIAL weight and BMI. I clarified this with both of them because my starting BMI was only 40, so losing even a few pounds on the 6 month diet will make my BMI below the minimum. I am still nervous though!

[M2G 1,836]

My personal bariatric plan was through UHC and I had to do a 6 month supervised "diet" (b/c I didn't have to diet per my surgeon's NUTs) HOWEVER, I was told by my bariatric case manager that my WEIGHT at my final 6 month weigh-in would be used. My BMI HAD to be above 40 because I had no co-morbidities. Basically, ASK FOR YOUR SPECIFIC plan rules...don't go by what others say was part of their plan. You need to know exactly how you are affected. Good luck.

[snowfie9 6]

I was told the program was to increase the chances of success post surgery, not as a measure of determining eligability.