Step #3 in 10 Hours

1. Step #1...attend orientation meeting.  Check!
2. Step #2...meet with bariatric psychologist.  Check!
3. Step #3...initial meeting with dietitian to begin 3 months of required supervised weight loss classes.  

Step #3 will be checked off in 10 hours.  What happens at this initial meeting with the dietitian?

Well, you will either get a great dietician or a crappy one -- but basically he/she will go over your current eating style/patterns.  They often want you to keep a food diary.  This is a very good thing to get in the habit of doing -- weighing and measuring portions.  These are keys to long term success for most people.  They will discuss what portion sizes are.  Usually, they will go over and start to implement the rules of surgery.  Not sure what WLS you are considering, but for the RNY these include protein first, not drinking with meals, etc

Well, your appointment should be over by now. You tell us. How did it go?

The SWL class went fine, I like the dietitian. I'm thinking these 3 classes that I have to attend are more a formality since I am already approved by Medicare.  I asked if the surgeon requires weightloss before surgery and if so, how much?  I was told the surgeon doesn't require presurgery loss.

I've been doing fine with getting in all my daily water and protein.  The only problems I've been experiencing are nausea, night spasms in my ankles and legs, daytime spasms in my side (ribcage) and lower back, cramping of my hands with pain running up to my elbow, and tingling in my legs and arms.  Other than all this I'm doing okay.

At the class, exercise was recommended.  Unfortunately, I can't do much walking due to my need for a total knee replacement.  I tested a recumbant exercise bike but I can only pedal a VERY short time (knee).  Water exercise has been recommended but I don't have a swimsuit and am too embarrassed to buy one or be seen in one at a pool.

You don't have to swim in a swimsuit!  No - I am not saying do it in the buff!

Unless your pool requires swimwear, just have a pair of shorts and t-shirt set aside as your 'swimsuit'. Before you swim, run it through your washer WITHOUT soap.  If you can get your hands on a pair of 'bike shorts' (something somewhat fitting/stretchy) then that would work best. What I would do is wear the bike shorts and loose t-shirt, then when I jump into the pool, either tie the corner of the shirt in a knot so it fits closer, or tuck it into my shorts. When Ia m about to get out of the water, untuck and put it back into place.

I would also go during low-traffic times, such as around dinner time or later when there was no kids and very few adults.  Ideally for me, there would be no one there!

Hopefully that helps! The fear of going to a swimming pool in a swimsuit was terrifying!  I miss my old neighborhood pool. :(

Really?  I was thinking that swimwear is a board of health requirement.  I guess I should make some phone calls.  Thanks for the idea.

I think it depends on the pool. I lived in a non-gated community and they did not require swimsuits, but rather that what you were swimming in couldn't be washed with laundry detergent because it would set off the pool's pH levels and such. A public pool might be different! Might be worth making some phone calls though!!

1. Step #1...attend orientation meeting.  Check!
2. Step #2...meet with bariatric psychologist.  Check!
3. Step #3...initial meeting with dietitian to begin 3 months of required supervised weight loss classes.  Check!
4. Step #4...1st meeting with surgeon.  This will be checked off in 2 more days.

I'm coming up on week 3 of my 12 weeks of losing weight before surgery.  The first few days were a bear to get through, but I made it.  I can honestly say that once I passed the third day it got easier to be around food that is no longer a part of my life.  

To date I've only lost 8 pounds.  That in itself is great since I wouldn't have otherwise lost it if it weren't for this journey.  However, if I am to be honest, I'm disappointed that it's only 8 pounds.  I have been 100% compliant and I'm drinking a minimum of 64oz of water every day.