Hello Everyone!

[Phranp 46]

I have finally found a doctor that is under my insurance -- 3rd times a charm. :-)

I hope to have my surgery in 4-6 weeks but that will all depend on my insurance. I have BCBS, and they require six months of some kind of diet program. I hope that the time with my therapist will do. I really do not want to wait six months. I have many health problems related to my weight and I am tired of being in poor health.

I am glad this forum is here. I have been reading posts and everyone seems very helpful and informative.

[TQUAD64 9]

I have finally found a doctor that is under my insurance -- 3rd times a charm. :-)

I hope to have my surgery in 4-6 weeks but that will all depend on my insurance. I have BCBS, and they require six months of some kind of diet program. I hope that the time with my therapist will do. I really do not want to wait six months. I have many health problems related to my weight and I am tired of being in poor health.

I am glad this forum is here. I have been reading posts and everyone seems very helpful and informative.

I have Blue Shield and the 6-month supervised diet is very different from the therapist examine. Most insurances require the 6-month supervised diet. 6-months is not that long of a wait and you will learn a lot about the band and post-op diet. It really helps you to wrap your mind around the proces you are going to go through.

It took me 11-months to complete all the requirements of the insurance, plus all the requirements of the bariatric doctor, which were very much different.

Check to see if your bariatric doctor has any requirements you need to complete as well. You don't want any surprises or further delays.

Good luck!

[Phranp 46]

Thanks Tquad, 6 months seems a very long time but your explanation of all that I will learn and how it will help me prepare really does help. I am a little anxious, scratch that, I am a LOT anxious ... lol about having the surgery. And thanks for the heads up about my docs requirements, I will be sure to ask him Monday.

[TQUAD64 9]

Thanks Tquad, 6 months seems a very long time but your explanation of all that I will learn and how it will help me prepare really does help. I am a little anxious, scratch that, I am a LOT anxious ... lol about having the surgery. And thanks for the heads up about my docs requirements, I will be sure to ask him Monday.

Oh, I totally get being anxious. I was so anxious to get it done, but when I got the official approval from the insurance company and my surgery date, I started freaking out. Like oh man, what the heck am I doing and is this really what I want to do, and what if this does not work and on and on and on the mind games went.

But, I had the surgery. And I am doing great. And I don't regret my decision. And I am glad I had the time to work with the nutritionist for the 6-months. Funny thing is, I continue to see the nutritioinist once a month and I don't even have too.

Take care!

[HeatherO 7]

I don't think they will necessarily take the therapists time as your 6 month medically supervised diet unless they put you on a very specific diet an there are detailed progress notes and visits every month.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Phranp 46]

Thanks HeatherO, I'm sorry to hear that they might night accept my therapist report. She is a PhD and specializes an Obesity Medicine. We have been working on changing the foods I eat as well as food portions in addition to food diaries and jounals. All that work just to have to spend another six months with someone with a "more acceptable" title (i.e., "nutritionist") geeezzzzz ... oh well, it is what it is.

Thanks.

[HeatherO 7]

Thanks HeatherO, I'm sorry to hear that they might night accept my therapist report. She is a PhD and specializes an Obesity Medicine. We have been working on changing the foods I eat as well as food portions in addition to food diaries and jounals. All that work just to have to spend another six months with someone with a "more acceptable" title (i.e., "nutritionist") geeezzzzz ... oh well, it is what it is.

Thanks.

Actually, now that you have mentioned a little more about it . . . it sounds much more promising. She may have provided a lot more support than you would typically get with a doctor supervised diet plan.

I think a lot of it might be in the way she writes up her report. The best thing you can do is to check with your insurance and get specific details regarding exactly what they need to cover this aspect of it before you submit anything from your therapist. It might be able to be written up in such a way that will make it more likely to pass muster.

After all, a lot of insurances tend to deny first and ask questions later. Any time you can shave off will just get you that much closer to your eventual goals.

[KawasakiChick 0]

Hello there! I also have BCBS and I had to do the 6 month diet...It took me a year to complete all of their requirements and get an approval ( I was denied twice) but it is all sooo worth it. Send it in, see what they say and don't give up! There were days when I was sooo discouraged, but they want to find a way not to pay...be adamant that this surgery will change your life.

Keep us posted, best of luck!!:sneaky: