First meeting with Bariatric Dietitian and Behavioral Health Specialist

This morning I'm meeting the Bariatric Dietitian and Behavioral Health Specialist for the first time. I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it. I'm anxious to get started, I feel like a stuffed sausage and want to lose a few pounds ASAP, but the surgeon cautioned me not to lose too much weight before getting approval. I'm so hoping that I can set some simple goals and start to feel some improvement in my overall health this week. The weather seems to have stabilized a bit for now, so I'm looking forward to long walks outside in the coming months before surgery.

The tentative surgery date is about 2 1/2 months out and I really want to lose 15-20 pounds before then. I don't know if that's going to be allowed, but I'm hopeful! Wish me luck, friends. :)  

Congrats!!  WLS is a very exciting roller coaster ride!!!

I'm guessing your insurance company doesn't require you to have 6 month mandatory dr. visits.  That's great!  I'd listen to the Dr. when he said not to loose to much before approval.  Insurance companies have all kinds of rules.

Nope, my insurance company requires:

• Diagnosis of morbid obesity for a period of 2 years prior to surgery
• Participation in a medically supervised weight loss program, including nutritional counseling, for at least 3 months prior to the date of surgery. 
• Preoperative nutritional assessment and nutritional counseling about pre- and post-operative nutrition, eating, and exercise
• Evidence that attempts at weight loss in the 1 year period prior to surgery have been ineffective
• Psychological clearance of the member's ability to understand and adhere to the pre- and post-operative program, based on a psychological assessment performed by a licensed professional mental health practitioner 
• Non-Smoker for 6 months (and no substance abuse, obviously)

The surgeon says he's sure it'll get approved, so I'm trusting him. Today's visit was so encouraging. I don't have to actually diet until 4 weeks PreOp, but the nutritionist says I can do it for 8 weeks if I want to. (I do want to) During my first 4 weeks I was supposed to eliminate sugar and white carbs, processed food and caffeine. Without much effort at all I lost 1.5 pounds, but 2.5 pounds of fat, and gained a pound of muscle. YAY! 

Welcome to the LW's.    We love newbee's and following their journey.  Decarb and decaff and read, read, read.  Up your exercise and get healthy.  Stop soda, stop drinking with meals, learn to eat slow and take tiny bites.  You will do fine!!!

I actually started reducing caffeine a little at a time after the first new patient seminar, just to avoid withdrawal. I've never been a soda drinker and I drink coffee for the taste and feel, going decaf is not a deal-breaker for me. I was successful at cutting back 90% of sugar, and I've stopped drinking with meals in the last two weeks. Not drinking with meals has honestly been the biggest adjustment I've encountered! This month my goal is to eliminate processed and refined carbs and replace them with whole fruits. I haven't started taking tiny bites yet, but I am much more focused on chewing completely, I didn't even realize how bad I was about it.

Thanks to everyone for all of the support and encouragement, it's honestly keeping me sane! I appreciate all of you so much!