Who had to complete a pre op six month diet for insurance?

[Dreamjeans 0]

I'm trying to work on mine right now and I feel so frustrated because I have been having a problem staying on track. I thought to myself that I had all the time in the world to lose 28 pounds (10% of my body weight) since I couldn't submit my claim for six months. I lose weight and then slip and gain it. NOw I'm only one month from it and haven't lost near what I should. I would have to lose five pounds a week at this point to hit my mark. I am doing Weight Watchers which I love but its not a fast wl program.

What would you all suggest? Take my time and just do it slower at 1-2 pounds a week or do something a little more drastic to hit my mark quicker? Once I am approved they won't schedule my surgery for another six weeks after that so its a super long process and I don't want my insurance to change and lose that benefit or something like that. Thanks for any advice!

[Who'sThere 331]

My surgeon requires all his patients to undergo a 6 mo. diet to show that they are willing to comply with his directions. Basically he has no requirement for how much weight you should lose, but he doesn't want you to gain weight during that time. I would not have done well losing 10% of my weight (which would also be 28 pounds). Today was my last weigh-in, and I only lost a total of 8 pounds, so you are way ahead of me. Good luck!

[Suzdavis 0]

I had to do a 6 mo pre op diet for my insurance purpose. My PC Dr said I knew what to do to lose weight and gave me a diabetic 1200 cal diet but told me to do whatever diet that worked for me and I could stay on. I have had good results from the Atkins diet. I chose that one and lost 37 lbs in the 6 months. I think it also prepared me for the way you eat with the band. It stresses Protein. I was happy with my results.

I think if I were you I'd give myself time to lose the lbs and better prepare yourself. Only a month or two isn't that long in the scheme of things.

[STLMom2006 0]

Hello there! I too have been on a 6 month diet and doing weight watchers. I have lost 6 lbs in 5 months and while I feel like i've failed, my surgeon doesn't seem concerned that I haven't lost more. Let's just hope my insurance doesn't see it as failure and deny the paperwork. Ugh! Good Luck ladies

[cj74 0]

My insurance also required that I lose weight prior to sugery, but it was only 5% of my bodyweight. My surgeon didn't necessarily agree with that requirement but we had no choice. My body tends to respond well to the low carb, high Protein diet. It's not easy to cut out breads, pastas, etc. but so worth it - you will see results!

[FarmGirl7 0]

My insurance (Cigna) required the 6 month diet, but I only lost ONE pound the entire time, hence why I needed to be banded! the only thing my insurance company really cared about was the reference from my PCP for the surgery.

[justpeachytexas 0]

I had to do the 6 month diet. I do better by counting calories and found that Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate worked for me.

[nfl1 0]

Several folks in my support group had to do this before being approved, and most had difficulty. I had to do supervised diet with my PC doctor, but without a specific % goal. A few folks in my group finally did the 2 week liquid (pre-op) diet that my surgeon requires, and through that they were able to reach the insurance co. goal. It's basically no meat, no fruit, no carbs, all liquid (3-4 Protein Shakes a day) plus salads and non-starchy veggies but no dressing, and Soups with non-starchy veggies only.

[Lopez1978 0]

Well I had to do a 6 month diet as well and I think I was the exact same weight on my final weigh in and my first one. I started my 6 months, and lost a few and then gained a few. Got a little stressed out towards the end with having to take off time from work and paying copays at the doctor. I actually had quit. Then two and a half months later, I regretted quitting and went back to the doctor. She said she would use that weight as my final weight since it would have been if I had kept going. She said lets just submit it to your insurance and see what happens. I was shocked when my insurance approved it 3 weeks later. So I moaned and groaned the entire time, but in the end I was glad I was approved and banded. I love my band. Stick with it because it is soooo worth it.