New: ? Diet beforehand/exercise after?

[AZBlackhawk 122]

Hi- I am brand new and considering WLS. I was scheduled for a seminar yesterday and didn't go because I am a little scared to start the process!

Do most insurance plans make you go on medically supervised diet beforehand? My BMI is 43, what if I diet and no longer meet requirements?? Then why not just first and exercise in the first place (which obviously doesn't work in the long run)

second question- I live in Arizona, I would like to start hiking again. I'm worried about whether after surgery, I'm thinking gastric bypass, I'd be able to enjoy hot outdoor activities and stay hydrated with a smaller stomach??

[Diana_in_Philly 1,426]

Re: your insurance - depends on the policy - however, most policies consider your weight at first visit before any medically supervised diet as the starting point for weight and BMI. Get yourself scheduled for the seminar and ask some questions - they have probably dealt with your carrier before.

As for hiking after surgery, I'm six months out and I'm getting ready to run a 5k in a month. I do all kinds of outside stuff. My pre-surgery BMI was 48.1. Currently, I'm at 34. I'm down 81 pounds. I need to have two knees replaced and with that I'm running 13:39 miles in my 5k training. You may want to make sure you carry a little more Water with you, especially in the first few months after surgery, but shouldn't be an issue.