DMHC and 6 month rule

Has anyone been successful with having the 6 month nutrition & diet management waived after filing with the DMHC.  If so how long did it take ??

thanks

keliblue

Kelli,

I do believe there are those that have been successful in fighting the 6 month rule, but I want to tell you something else.

As someone who was NOT required to do that, I am a strong believer that everyone should be required to have six months of nutritional guidance and getting ready for the surgery. Too many people emotionally are not ready for this surgery. It's a major lifestyle change that takes getting used to. Statistics are starting to show that those who have had classes have more long term success after the surgery.  As one who didn't and had no guidance after surgery, I am totally back to square one now.  I haven't gained all my weight back, but I've gained 70 pounds of it.

I didn't know what I was up against.  During the first 18 months after surgery, it doesn't matter what you do or how you eat, you will lose weight.  But once that time is over and once you are back to "normal", if you are not prepared and ready for what you must now do, trust me, you won't do it.  I don't care how much you think you will.  I've been at this for over 5 years and have seen alot of people come and go and everyone struggles after 3 years.  The weight comes back if you haven't changed you lifestyle and learned how to do that.

Additionally that 6 months gives you a chance to find out everything you need to find out about the surgery.  It's not that long in the big picture.  So rather than trying to fight it, embrace it and get on with your journey.  It will take you just about as long to fight it as it will to go through it.  If you are comitted to changing what got you to the point of needing surgery, then you should be ready, willing and able to do whatever it takes for the long haul.

Just my opinion of course. I'm sure there is someone out there who will disagree and who can tell you how to fight it.

Stephanie

Hi Keliblue,

It probably took me around 9 months before having the surgery, but I was unable to lose the weight my surgeon wanted me to. I tried, but the combo of meds I was taking made this task next to impossible unless I starved myself and noboby wanted me to do that.  I don't know if it's the weight you want to avoid losing or just waiting 6 months in general. If it's for reasons of weight, it's actually against the law for you to be denied surgery and there is an obesity law center somewhere in California that has taken people's cases on in this regard.  If it's just being impatient, I agree with Stephanie on this. Six months will go by fast and in that time you get the time to learn about the surgery and what is expected aftwards to be successful.  I also belonged to an eating disorders support group many years before surgery learning why I overate and relied on food for so many things.  I am almost 6 months out from having surgery and while I am doing great according to my surgeon's team, my mind still tells me to eat and snack all the time even though I am not hungry. I struggle with this everyday even after surgery. If I hadn't had the time to figure out my triggers and how to talk to this voice and say no when it wants me to munch out, this surgery would do me no good except for the short term.

Good luck with your journey. Keep posting questions and getting support.

MsBlues

Stephanie is correct that there are so many things you can learn from the 6 month monitored diet so its not all bad, however I can tell you I did do the 6 month nutritional counseling and it really felt like just a road block slowing down my pursuit of surgery. Nearly everything they told me was already things I had tried for 10 years. I do think it is a great tool for those who want to rush into surgery without learning a healthier lifestyle first but if you have knowledge of healthy choices and are capable of putting those choices into action, then the couseling they offer can be somewhat repetitive.

That having been said after I went through the 6 month nutritional counseling, my primary care physician still refused to submit my referral so I had to switch medical groups. When my new pcp submitted the referral my insurance requested I do the 6 month again because it had to be done within the new medical group. I filed a claim with the DMHC and then with my insurance and got the approval within 30 days. Best of luck!

Yes you can fight it and I wanted to when I learned I had to take a 6 month class.  But guess what?  I'm so glad I took it and as Steph said, once the honeymoon is over, it is over!

Keliblue:

Please listen to what Stephanie and Gus have to say.  I am another one who is six years out from surgery.  From the time I decided to finally have WLS until I was on the table being cut open, it was ONLY three weeks.  I cam through the surgery physically with flying colors, but mentally I was a mess!!!  Because I was such a mess, it was the most miserable two - three months of my life.  Had I been made to wait and prepare emotionally better, it would have been so much better. 

Once you are three + years out, it will be much more difficult to maintain the weight loss.  Anyone who tells you different is either the one exception to the rule or is just lying to you.

My best advice to you is to take the six month classes AND to start an exercise regimen right away.  Without exercise, you risk at least a 90% chance of major weight gain when you become a long term post op. 

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!  Hoping for the best for you!!!

I ditto what everyone else has said here.  I wasn't required to do any waiting period or anything like that... but from November 08 to my surgery date on June 22 (8 mos) I attended both psychological counseling, a nutritionist and my doctor on a regular basis, and checked in with my surgeon every six weeks.  I think this helped me prepare mentally and physically for surgery.  I have done great and at 5 mos am almost halfway to goal.  I have always taken this one step at a time always thinking that the real hurdle was ahead...and from what I hear, the further out the harder it will be... I am doing everything I can to prepare for those later hurdles which will undoubtedly be the hardest.  I remind myself that I didn't gain all this weight overnight.. and I won't lose it overnight either.. it takes lots of hard work.  Also, anything that doesn't feel quite right in life pre-surgery... isn't going to be magically fixed afterwards.  And that is the honest to goodness truth of the matter.  Looking back, I am glad that I took the time to get my head in order as a solid beginning to my journey - even though I didn't technically have to.    Good luck to you!

I did. I have Kaiser & the Option program teaches nothing about the surgery I plan on having (DS), so I filed a grievance & won. You would most likely win with any procedure you are having though.

I don't exactly agree with everyone here, I think the classes are a stall tactic used by the insurance companies. I think the classes do have some serious value if you're planning on a surgery that they teach about, but I also think those classes can be made into a few weekend sessions & not dragged out for 6 months, which is why I see them as a stall tactic. Who knows where you will be insurance wise 6 months from now?

Danas,

I think that the disagreement comes from the different perspectives, one being from long term post-ops, the other from one who hasn't been under the knife yet.

I 100% guarantee you that when you hit three - four - five years post op, you will have changed your perspective.

I do somewhat agree with the stall tactics.  The wait should be six months, but the classes need to be revamped so there will be actual learning of new lifestyles and new coping mechanisms instead of the ridiculous basics I hear they "teach" you about, such as how you gained weight in the first place, how the body loses weight, what a calorie is, etc.  Duh!!!!

Anyway, I am glad you won the fight and you are getting to have the surgery you chose to have.  Wishing you the best of luck when you get that new tool!  Work it!!