Questions about the stuff you have to do to get approved for the surgery.

Hi all I have a few questions. I just met with my doctor and we talked about me having WLS. I called my ins. company and they said that I have to have one year of nutritional therapy supervised by a doctor and exercise that is also supervised. My question is that if you do that you will lose weight do the ins. companies then say that you don't qualify because you don't weigh as much anymore or what's the deal. And the supervised exercise what do they mean by that? I cannot afford a gym but my employer has a free gym that I can use but there is no one there to supervise me. I'm just really confused someone please help!!!

Kelly; It depends on how your body works. I had a metabolic disorder. My last pre-op diet attempt was 9 months on WW and working with a personal trainer. I lost 23 lbs. 23 lbs. in 9 months of diet and exercise. And yes, after that 23 lbs., I was still obese enough for surgery. Call your insurance back and ask what they mean by supervised exercise. I can speculate, but I'd hate for you to lose another year of your life because you went by my definition instead of their's. Keep us posted on your progress. Blessings, Jennifer 253 / 159 / 137

If you meet with the surgeon - they should be able to direct you to Drs that they work with that know exactly what the insurance company is working for. Otherwise contact Drs in the area that have experience with WLS so they can guide you. I have never heard of a supervised exercise program but Im going to assume its going to be something where somebody has to write down you came in and worked out - the day the time etc... Basically they want to see you can stick to Drs orders - if you cant then they feel you wont be successful with the surgery. If you lose too much weight - then they think you dont need the surgery. From what Ive read previously most people who had to do the supervised weight loss *HAD* to maintain or only lose a few lbs - if they gained weight I believe they had to start over or it was not good on their record.