Insurance and Diet Clinics

carmillejoanita · January 19, 2007

I've recently started new insurance Unitedhealthcare plan 100 a (whatever that means) A couple of my friends lap bands were approved with the insurance, they don't give you any crap. So I hope Iam lucky has they were. I was thinking about joining a diet clinic in the mean time but my husband thinks thats a waist of money (which it is). He is so for this lap band. Its nice to have a husband who is by my side, but he don't understand how long it takes to have the surgery. We live in Louisville Kentucky home of the Kentucky Derbry and my 1st goal is to loose weight by then(1st weekend in May) and I figured if I didn't get approved I could go that route. What do you think? Should I wait until I get my new insurance cards?

~Carmille

~Jules~ · January 19, 2007

Hi Carmille,

Explain the diet clinic. I don't know what it is or does. Thanks.

carmillejoanita · January 19, 2007

Hi Carmille,
Explain the diet clinic. I don't know what it is or does. Thanks.

Thanks for the quick response! The diet clinic I was looking into they give you diet pills,weight, give pointers on food, and b6 and B12 shots every week if you want. The diet pills are every month. They also check your blood pressure to make sure the pills arent hurting you. I want to do it so bad but the first visit is $299 its for your 1st 2 wks of med blood work and a class. 2weeks later you go for weigh in blood pressure check and 1 month of diet pills and that going to cost $79 for visit and between $30-$60 for meds every month. And they give b6 and b12 shots for energy everyweek at no cost if you want. Does that sound good to you? I need you input bad! Thanks

~Carmille

Ps Congrats on the 45lbs gone! Iam so excited for you. Do you have any before and after pictures?:clap2:

~Jules~ · January 19, 2007

Carmille,

Do you go every week? So it would be 79 bucks a week plus meds?

Actually I don't have a very good before pic. I couldn't bring myself to do it. I did measure before, but haven't yet again. I am sure it is quite a few inches. I can really feel it.

Candle · January 19, 2007

Have you spoken to your doctor and/or insurance company about this? I know many insurance company's require you seen a dietician/nutritionist for a period of time (6 months usually - I know that's the requirement here in NY) before the surgery anyway.

Most doctors require you see one after the surgery.

I think it's good you are interested in seeing someone - seems the earlier you make diet and lifestyle changes, the easier the transition will be after you are banded. BUT ... you could be wasting a lot of money.

carmillejoanita · January 20, 2007

No its $79 plus meds (around $60) a month once everything gets started. I know I would loose the weight and fast doing the diet clinic thing the only problem is once its over you gain all back them some. I've already started the 6 month diet so hopefully it will be soon. Good Luck Everybody! ~Carmille

~Jules~ · January 20, 2007

If you can choke the money, I would go ahead and do it. It will help jump start your weightloss and make you have less to go to get to goal with the band.

But then, I am not patient either. Good luck to you! It was great to talk to you. Take care.

2bthinagn · January 20, 2007

I've recently started new insurance Unitedhealthcare plan 100 a (whatever that means) A couple of my friends lap bands were approved with the insurance, they don't give you any crap. So I hope Iam lucky has they were. I was thinking about joining a diet clinic in the mean time but my husband thinks thats a waist of money (which it is). He is so for this lap band. Its nice to have a husband who is by my side, but he don't understand how long it takes to have the surgery. We live in Louisville Kentucky home of the Kentucky Derbry and my 1st goal is to loose weight by then(1st weekend in May) and I figured if I didn't get approved I could go that route. What do you think? Should I wait until I get my new insurance cards?
~Carmille

Have you figured your BMI. I am not banded yet but from the talk here some insurance companys criteria is that your BMI has to be at least a certain number b4 they will pay for surgery. This is kinda not right but I would be careful to not lose so much that then your insurance wont pay for surgery.

JerseyDori · January 20, 2007

I have tried that and every other diet under the sun. I even tried the "cookie diet" where they say you can eat all the Cookies you want and lose weight. THey are all fads and scams. The cookie diet was an 800 calorie a day diet - anyone can lose weight on that, but if we could survive with that few calories we wouldn't be fat. That cost me 500$ for 2 weeks and when i had diareah everyday for 2 weeks I said forget it i'd rather be fat. Go with your insurance. You can wait the few weeks for the cards to come in. I have been on the 6 month dr/nutrionist diet for 3 months and it has gone by in a flash!

Good luck