[ChrissyB]

So, I've been doing a little internet search and reading alot. In my read I've seen alot of people having to do something called medically supervised dieting. What in the world is that? In some cases it's 6-12 months but I did read that one lady was required to have a three year medically supervised diet...MY WORD!!

Does Weight Watchers fall into the category of being medically supervised? I really don't want to do something like Opti-fast drinking that stuff and spending my money on that is not my idea of something that I really want to do.

I want to know these things so when I go in to talk to my Dr. I am informed and know what I need to do and what she needs to do to help me.

Now, the only other things is like I stated in my last post DH will be having an insurance change in Jan. I know that it is unrealistic to think that I would be able to get the surgery before January. I'm wondering if going to my Dr NOW and getting her support and starting the Med. Supervised Diet and get some blood work done ( I have never had a fasting sugar or cholestrol done) NOW instead of waiting for the new insurance??????????? I figure that it's just getting me closer ...what do you think???


Of course DH and I do not know what the new insurance will be. He works for OfficeMax and they have been bought out by Boise Paper Products. When he asks the main store in Jersey theytold him that the benefits are better then what we have now. I don't know if they are going to stay with FirstHealth and get a better package OR get something totally different.

So that's where I stand. I need a little guidance ladies!!

Thanks,

ChrissyB

[jiffypop]

have a meeting in 5 minutes, but basically, WW counts. especially if you have your little books with you. and starting NOW with the medically supervised diet just reinforces your case.

don't panic. you're doing fine. anything you do NOW puts you that much farther ahead.

more later.

[nelie]

I'm on Kaiser Permanente which has HMO down to a science Over a year ago, I tried their "weight loss program" which basically consisted of going to a weight loss counselor who would give you advice about your diet and exercise and would also weigh you. They also offered medication, meredia and xenical if you wanted. I tried the meredia but after 1 month and an elevated blood pressure, they took me off of it. They also had classes you had to take as well as seminars. The classes were on diet and exercise.

Anyway, when I started the program, they gave me the option of going the surgical or non surgical route, I took the non surgical route. Although I was on that path, the classes and seminars had people doing both things so I was able to talk with a lot of women who were trying to get approved for the surgery. Of course they had more things to do then me like psychological evaluations and such, but the basics were the same, they had to go to the classes and go to the counselor just the same and it was a process that took between 18-24 months for them. So I would say it depends on your insurance and maybe your doctor?

[scarletini]

It does depend on your insurance. Some insurances require a medically supervised diet before approval, some do not. But all of them will want a diet history. They'll want to know about every diet you've been on and how successful you were. Your surgeon will get the details from you and send them to insurance. Starting WW now though, can only be a good thing. Frist off, you'll most likely lose some weight before surgery, leaving you with even less to lose afterwards (every little bit counts!) and the insurance company will see that you've been trying.

Good luck! The band was a wonderful thing for me.