Question about weight loss documentation

Hey guy's. I have a question that I thought some of you may have some info on even tho Im going to have to get the specifics from my bariatric clinic to be sure. When I went to my oreintation the dietitcian told our group that we would all need to bring 6 months weight loss attempts to our pre screening. She gave us info on the programs theey would except. Of course not one of them is a free service and I havent tried any of them myself personaly, even though I have been able to loose weight before I have always gained it back and then some. ( Im rambleing sorry :) Anyhow...afterwards the Dr. himself came in and spoke with our group and he told us that you only needed this documentation if your BMI is less than 40. I raised my hand and asked him specificly to repeat himself so that I understood completly. He again told us the same thing. Now of course my BMI is 40.6 and I thought I didnt need to worry about it. But the closer I get to my pre screening time frame the more Im worrying that I received faulty info and I have heard of others ( dont know their BMI ) that have went to their pre screenings without the documentation and been sent back onto the waiting list. Does anyone have any info on this matter or have any idea whom I need to get in touch with to get the correct and bottom line information because I am scared to get an answer on the phone from some random person and then get the run around when I get there...

Thanks guy's!

Brandi~

Brandi ,  Go to your insurance company . See what their criteria is for your weightloss surgery . If you do need to have 6 months documentation , here is how it works : You actually have 7 sessions . The first is to get your started .. the remaining 6 are to talk about your eating and exercise .. and chart everything . Most insurance companies .. Aetna being one do require 6 month . But only you know what your insurance requirements are . He may be correct in saying a BMI under 40 . Maybe this is his criteria ???  But ck with your insurance .. and if you have to call the doctors office again ...  Best wishes to you ,  Nat

Hi Brandi I just had my surgery with Dr. Mann at PNH on June 6 so maybe I can help. Do you have co-morbities? You should be OK with your BMI of 40.6 if you have about 100lbs to lose. As far as the  6 month w/l attemps---they must be within the past 2 years. I will PM you with more info. Jen

Brandi I too am going to PNH and had to have a 6 month documented loss, I myself went to my dr. once a month for 6 month and that was enough for them, i brought it to my pre screening which was 6 months after the orientation so if you can get in with your dr I say go that route, cause that's the only one that's free.... hth.... Missy

Brandi, I work where you are oging and Dr. Mann also did my surgery. NO MATTER what your BMI is you are required to have 6 months of documented weight loss attempts and it has to have be done within the last 2 years. I even verified this with Dr. Manns nurse. If you are still confused you need to call the clinic and talk to them.

Yes, I believe that everyone, at least at PNH, has to have at least 6 months of documented weight loss.  Even though, through the years, I'd been through MANY weight loss programs and such, it had to be current.  I chose to attend the Nurtrition classes at Portsmouth.  Oddly enough, BEFORE my surgery, I was able to lose about 25lbs with the learning from that class.  Getting weighed every Friday was pressure for me...lol.  I really did learn alot from that class.

 I found that, although most of the folks in that class seem to be there because of WLS, it is not a bariatric eating class and it's taught by a nutritionist/dietician and they do not  advocate for WLS. Although it help SO much prior to surgery, a bariatric eating class would be better for me now. Sorry - I got a little off track... I'd also like to say that no one ever asked to see my 6 months of weight loss attempt log. I asked Dr. Mann if he'd like to see it and he said 'no'....lol.  I think that maybe it's input in the computer now when you attend a class.???  I don't know, but I did as often as I could. J   in the computer now or what      

You know what Joy, no one asked to see mine either, mine was definitely in the computer system since I was being seen at Langley by my dr. how weird is that, i guess the one time you don't have, they will want to see it...

Yes I have SEVERE pcos and I have had battles with PCOS since I was a teenager. I also have stress incontinence (sp?) ( weak bladder ) I have LOT'S of issues that are caused by the PCOS as well. Terrible acne and cystic acne and boils and horrible and random hair growth...gosh I cant wait to get rid of all that!

I was told at the preigntation that so far I am quailifed...I was just confused about the contradictions I had heard between the Dr and the other person and I didnt want to be unprepared. But I didnt realize that I could just go to my dr and have it done that way so I will call and make an appointment tomorrow and I'll be fine with that. I am also planning on attending some of the meetings as well.Ive just been a lil...ok ALOT busy so I havent had the chance as of yet but I will soon.

Do any of you attend those now??????

Thanks for All your advice ladies...I appreciate your help! Brandi~

I myself haven't been to a meeting since January and probably should go. But with my hubby's schedule the way it is, it's hard for me to get down their.. once he's off of the shift work i'm going to try and make it down there more..