seminar yesterday - this is starting to feel real!
I went to the seminar yesterday! I am getting excited/nervous. The program looks great, but there will be more out of pocket expenses than I was expecting. They have a 12 week program, with weekly support group meetings and appt. with each member of the multi-disciplinary team (RD, Exercise specialist ect.) They require that you weigh-in and turn in a food journal weekly. They also have a monthly support group for post-op.
They require that you have a "support person." The support person must attend at least one appointment for the "contract signing." I just moved to this area and all of my support team lives 4+ hours away. I keep in contact with my family multiple times a week by phone. I haven't built a social circle in South Bend yet. I do have a work friend, but this seems a bit much to ask of a work friend (we never see each other outside of work.) She knows I am looking at the surgery and is very excited for me. I'm not sure if it would be appropriate to ask her.
Overall, the meeting went well. It is easy to tell who had done their research. When the nurse talked about the 2 week liquid pre-op diet, about 1/3 of the room nodded their head, and the other 2/3s of the room looked panicked! I got a good giggle.... Every one in the room seemed nervous. The RN tried to lighten the mood with a few jokes and .... crickets. oh well.
This is going to be a crazy ride, but I'm ready to jump on board!
My program was 24 weeks long, so you're getting off light with just 12! The seminar portion had to be done within 6 months of the planned surgery, so I didn't attend it until my classes were mostly done (had my surgery almost 5 months after classes ended due to work schedules). So I already knew everything the seminar taught and also had a giggle about the people who were just learning this stuff for the first time. It also, made it feel real... as I was getting closer and closer to my date at that point.
So I know exactly how you feel and I'm excited for you!
I did my seminar last month and have already had my appt's with the Nutritionist, had my EKG, Abdominal scan and have had 1 session of PT. My Ins. requires a 6 month program and a psych visit too..time is moving so slowly now that I have committed to the surgery...It really does start to feel real once you leave the seminar. You are really doing it. You are starting the process of getting a completely new body. The thought of being 1/2 my size is still mind blowing..numbing..whatever. I've found myself looking at clothes in smaller sizes and imagining how different my face is going to look. It's good to know I am not the only one nervous about this process and journey. Can't wait to join the skinny girls club!