So I went to my consultation with Dr. Schwartz on Monday morning and it went pretty well. I have completely decided that this is my time to make a change. The lap band will be a great tool for me. I need to stay inspired to change though and I am hoping that LBT will really help with that part. My boyfriend says he is going to help me with working out and making sure to stay very diligent. We are going to make sure to photograph all of the various stages so that I can realize what a drastic change I am making. The changes that I have seen everyone making here have given me the strength to know that I can do this too. Next up I have some steps to take for insurance approval. I have United and whast the doctor says that they are requiring is a note of medical necessity from my PCP, my medical records of weight for the last 5 years, the psychological evaluation, and my most recent blood work. I have scheduled my appointment with my PCP which is on 7/22. Seems like a long time to wait to me, but my doctor's office is sort of a pain. My doctor is very, "you can just do it one your own," so I actually think this could be the most difficult step. I have called my doctor previously to get medical records and I just need to go in and fill out some paperwork. I don't know whether I am supposed to send the stuff to the surgeons office or keep it myself? The surgeon uses a specific psychologist that does not accept insurance payments and it is $150 for the visit. I can go to a different one, but he says it may really save me some time this way. This entire process is just a little confusing still. I do not have to do a pre-op diet except for the week before which is a protein shake for breakfast, one for lunch and a dinner that is 1000 cal or less.

I guess the hardest thing for me right now is just to try and still eat well. I really have been doing a great job at least maintaining my weight this past year. I lost about 15lbs at the beginning of 2009 and have kept it off, which is abnormal given my past 5 year trend. But now I am just trying not to let myself get the whole idea of eating my last meals that I will never have again. I mean I don't even have a surgery date yet so this could be a really scary thing since it could be months and months until I get approved and get banded. I would love to start losing weight now and that would just be a bonus and then a tool with the lap band just when I need it. I guess I do want to have a few things that I will be missing, but lets not get out of control considering it is not all systems go yet. I was d=following Dr. Ian Smith's 4 day diet and really feeling great so maybe I will do that for the time being as best as I possibly can. It would be nice if I could get down another 20-30lbs before my lap band. You know...get the ball rolling!