A Long 12 Months....

My insurance requires a 12-consecutive month medically supervised diet so my doc told me to go to Weigh****chers and see him once a month so he can "monitor"... I wish there could have been some other way... I'm ashamed to admit I am a lifetime member of WW and I have a BMI of 50... so as you can see WW is not something that works for me.  I am starting today... it's going to be along 12 months.... sigh.  Has or is anybody else out there going through the same thing?

my insurance did the same. i was able to get it due to good notes in my dr file. my son just finished his 12 months and is getting his letter of referral and necessity from his pcp. hang in there, it willbe over before you know it and you will be starting your new life, it is well worth the wait! teri

What insurance do you have?

Marie

BCBS State Health Plan PPO.   I went back to WW last night and got all my stuff... but don't have a chance to get to the grocery store until Friday so am doing the best I can with what I have.  This whole deal is getting me down...

You've got mail.

What do you mean "You've got mail"? 

At the very top, by your name, it should say you've got an unread message.  Do you see it?

Marie

I had my 10th monthly weigh in this morning.  Only 2 more months to go!!!  This will actually mark my SECOND 12 month diet.  The first 12 months my doctor didn't bother writing notes in my chart about my diet efforts.  Needless to say, that doctor was fired and I found another.  My surgeon recommended that I use the BEEP (bariatric exercise and education program) through Hurley Health and Fitness.  (It's a fitness club through Hurley Hospital in Flint that specializes in cardiac rehab.)   I paid $55 for the 12 month program and I stop by once a month for my check up -- blood pressure, pulse, weigh in (including body fat %) and a chat with a nutritionist/RN about my diet and exercise efforts the previous month.  I'm there based on a referral from my surgeon, so it's doctor supervised.  At the beginning of this process it's REALLY hard mentally to deal with.  The 12 months seems like an eternity and you can't imagine it'll ever end.  It took me about 4 or 5 months to stop being angry that I had to jump through this crazy hoop the insurance company put in my way.  But before long I realized I was halfway through.  Time really does fly.   Just stay connected to your support system and use this time to learn new habits that you'll need after your surgery.  For instance, my current diet resembles a post-op diet (high protein, low/no carbs, fruits and veggies).  Practice eating meals without drinking water.  Cut out all soda, sugar and other bad habits.  Also take this time to figure out your eating demons, hunt them down and conquer them now so you don't have to deal with it after the surgery. Learn to have a healthy relationship with food.  Keep current on the surgery, new research and information.  Read as many profiles as you can so you're learning and growing in the next 12 months.  Sure, the next 12 months is suppose to be about dieting and losing weight.  But for me, my focus has been on getting my head on straight and prepared for my post-op life.  Good luck! Pam

Hi Pam T., sounds like some good advice... I have been thinking alot about the lifestyle changes after surgery... and I am trying some of them out now, but you touched on some I hadn't thought of.  Thanks!

I live in the U.P. and don't know of any programs I could utilize like you have... The bariatric surgeon's office has one, but he is over an hour's drive away, and with the way it snows up here, I don't want to risk missing a month.  BCBS has approved paying for my Weigh****cher visits up to $300 because my doctor ordered me to go there.  I sure hope these next 12 months go quickly... I am so misreable right now I don't feel like I have a life.     Reading the message boards on this website has helped me to cope a little better too.   How did we ever get by without the Internet? Thanks again for all the responses I have been getting, you guys are angels!