6 mo on diet, then what

JackieMorris · October 13, 2007

The good news is that my insurance policy does cover lap band surgury, and I generally do fit the criteria....40 BMI or 35 with premorbid conditions. I qualify both ways. I have a 40 bmi, and high blood pressure and high cholestrol

but

It says I have to have been on a doctor's diet for 6 mo prior.

So where does this put me. I am VERY GOOD at loosing weight. I've lost the same 70-80 lbs, sensibly, at least 4 times! The problem is I have always regained it, with more weight! If I go on a diet for 6 months, I'm pretty sure I will loose a lot of weight....probably 40 lbs. or more, which would then make me inelligible for surgery! Of course, the weight will more than likely come back again....as it always has. How do I get around this catch 22?

O, and my weight loss programs have never exactly been under a doctor's supervision. The last attempt was the zone, and I actually kept it off for 3 years, but eventually it did creep back....plus about 20 more lbs. My doctors have always been very happy about my weight loss attempts, but I've never been in a supervised program...Just researched a lot.

Forestcat5 · October 14, 2007

Hi JackieMorris!

I had to do a 6 month weightloss with my Dr, and it seemed a bit ridiculous since I've been on diets most of my life, and lost and gained hundreds of pounds. But there was no way I would get approved for the surgery unless I did it. And then, even after I did it - I was DENIED! The insurance co said I didn't have enough documentation from my Dr. Luckily my Dr called them and sent more info and I was later approved. So I strongly suggest you call your insurance co and ask exactly what they require for the documentation. Also read through the Insurance Forum on this site for more information.

The 6 months went faster than I thought it would. Honest! I think the insurance companies do this to see if we are really dedicated, and hope we'll be discouraged and forget the whole thing. So use the 6 months to get all your testing done, come to this site and join in and read, read, READ - and before you know it you'll be writing to us and say "I was approved!"

Best of Luck!!!!!

Forestcat

JackieMorris · October 14, 2007

Thanks Forestcat,

But are they likely to deny me because after 6 mo on the diet I have lost half my weight and am no longer overweight enough? That is what my fear is! I'm at just about exactly 40 BMI right now. If I were to loose 30 or 40 lbs, I wouldn't qualify and would be back on the yo yo again. Everytime I've lost the weight, I've gained it back with 10-20 lbs extra, so I don't want to even go there unless I can get some real help keeping it off!

Jackie

Forestcat5 · October 14, 2007

As strange as this sounds - CIGNA didn't say I HAD to lose any weight, they just wanted me on a 6 month Dr documented weightloss program. I went on the Atkins diet, and lost 20lbs, but made sure I didn't lose any more than that, for the same reasons you are worried about. But it's important that you find out if your insurance DOES want you to lose a certain amount of weight, or do they just want the documented paperwork.

I've read where some people don't lose any weight, but because they went to their Dr once a month, got weighed, talked about weightloss, and then the Dr sent the info in a letter to the insurance co - they met the requirements and were approved. So maybe that is what you will be able to do.

I am just like you - I can lose the weight, but I can't keep it off!

Forestcat