I'm 5'5½" and weigh 314.75 pounds! BMI = 51.1%

and a "goal weight" of 160 will put in at BMI of 26... perfectly fine!

I met with Teresa (NP) at Dean East today... we went through my entire 17 pages of Q/A... and she ordered all sorts of blood work. It'll take about a week for the results - she'll call me and also mail a hard copy.

When Gil (asst) gets back tomorrow, they will schedule me for a 4 hour appt. at Dean East... I'll meet with the nutritionist, surgeon, and psychiatrist... wow! They do this on Tuesday afternoons... so I'm on hold til I know that date. Not sure if I'm supposed to make an appt. with a nutritionist first, or not! Hm...

I have to keep a three day food journal... it will be used as a tool with the nutritionist. T wants me to do two work days and one weekend day.

The diet I will adopt "for life" is similar to Atkins... mainly pushing protein, avoiding carbs... I can do that! I am weaning myself off of diet soda, learning to love water again. She said I can "practice" the diet - eating without liquids, chewing a LOT, etc.

We talked about my past attempts at dieting, she asked that I get a letter from Dr. Searles - and document anything I can w/old notes from him.

Here is a summary of my "to do list":

I had my intake appt. this a.m... and I am PSYCHED! With or without insurance restrictions, they (The Weight Management Team) like to take a 6 month approach to the surgery to assure the best results. I am totally fine with that! The counselor was totally impressed with all the research I've done here... Thanks LBT!!!

1. Intake appt: DONE
   
2. Bloodwork: DONE (fasting lipid paned, comprehensive metabolic panel, TSH, HgbAIC, Vit B1, B12, Vit D-25, Iron, Iron Binding and Folate)
   
3. 4 hour appt: includes paperwork and program overview, meet & greet the surgeon, Nutrition Eval, Psych Eval, and computerized psych testing. Scheduler will call me tomorrow (I have to keep a food diary for 3 days for the nutritionist)
   
4. The TEAM meets the following Monday to talk about me
   
5. PCP Letter: his recommendation and history of weight appts I've had with him in the past:I will email him now to ask for that
   
6. Attend a Support Meeting: Going next Wed!

They will submit to the insurance co. NOW, and expect they'll respond with a list of requirements... which should be part of their plan anyway...

These six months will include monthly meetings/weigh-ins - more counseling and help getting my head screwed on straight so that I succeed... I'm psyched and ready! I'm sure this could happen sooner if I pushed for it... I just want this to work - and will do whatever it takes!

I was given a book written by a nurse who has had LBS... Laproscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding by Jessie H Ahroni... along with some literature from the lb manuf.

WHeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!