I have to write an essay? WTF?

[lmd2070]

Been ignoring this for awhile but I need to do it. So my Dr says I have to write an essay detailing my weight loss attempts over the years. They say it get submitted to the insurance company with everything else. I have Blue Cross... has anyone else had to do this. I hate this kind of stuff. Its okay to stick an endoscope down my throat, but essay writing is what gags me.

I know stop whining and do it. Searched forums and found no mention of anyone having to do this:confused. Just wondering if it one of those extra things the Dr puts in just as a final boost to the insurance company or what.

[kaygee]

Nope. Not here. Maybe he just wants it as a reference for his report?

[gini]

First time hearing of this!

[lmd2070]

Yeah, its not like its something they just threw at me, its part of the booklet of things to do... one of the last steps before they submit for insurance approval.

[mtcantor]

Nope. I had nothing like this. I have Blue Cross of MA for reference.

[Pbran21]

blue cross of western ny never

[lmd2070]

Blue Cross, Peoples Republic of Maryland...

[katiedidd40]

Never heard this one! I have BCBS of Texas

[DebbieLvswknds]

Not something I had to do with BCBS of Ga.

[AnewDee]

Yes I had to do it. I have united healthcare and it's part of their requirement. I had to turn it in at my first visit. They asked to write about weight struggles over the years, diet attempts, and how the surgery will benefit me. Think I ended up with about 6 paragraphs

[SeasonsChange]

I have BCBS of CT and have never heard of this.

[reading mom]

I think this falls under cruel and unusual punishment!!!

[greenmomma]

UHC, I didn't have to do it.

[WayLessInNH]

I had to document all of the different ways I tried to lose weight, how much I lost with each attempt, how much I regained each time, and how long I was on each diet.

It wasn't in essay form but a chart I had to fill out.

[toutdesuite]

If I had to write an essay, I would use a lot of bullet statements and approach it something like this:

I have struggled with weight loss throughout my adult life. From 1978 to 2013 my weight has ranged from 130 to 335 pounds. Over the years, I dieted unsuccessfully with the following diets:

*Low calorie (1978)
*Weight Watchers (1979)
*Atkins (1981)
and so on...

Although I did lose weight with some of the above diets, it was only temporary, and I eventually gained back every pound I lost plus some. Below is a summary of my weight over the last 35 years.

1978 -- 130 lbs
1980 -- 145 lbs
1981 -- 150 lbs
and so on...