Initial surgeon appointment

[sandylyn88 10]

Ok, so I was nervous for no reason at all lol. Today was my initial surgeon appt and first I saw the nurse who explained gastric sleeve and bypass, and went over a specific checklist to complete the bariatric program. I have even more steps to do, but that is OK. I have to follow a supervised diet for six months, and I already have 2 months down of that. I am about to register for my first steps classes, and have to do an additional workout class then I will go to monthly support group till surgery. Next, I spoke to the surgeon and he's giving me the option of either sleeve or bypass. I think I'm going to stick to the sleeve. Then I talked to the insurance coordinator.. they also did blood work to test my Vitamins, minerals, and thyroid. Ugh. . It was a long appointment lol

[_Kate_ 2,224]

At least its done and another step out of the way. It seems a long way away but before you know it, it will be a day away.

Exciting times

Hugs

Kate

[ShrinkingPeach 1,291]

It can be a lengthy checklist but consider they are being thorough. Your day will be here before you know it and this gives you a chance to lose and get closer to your goal. Good luck!

[jane13 2,256]

my first appointment was a beat too, but so worth it! no regrets at all.

[sandylyn88 10]

Thanks guys!! Hugs back!! I like it that they are being thorough and I really like the surgeon. And I know 6-8 more months will practically fly by, but it's hard to be patient lol been going through the program so far since april. April 6th was the informational meeting.

[hockeyfan7 249]

I remember all that pre-testing stuff was crazy. I had to have a mammogram, a pregnancy test, bone density, sleep study, H pylori test, chest x-ray, EKG, blood work, psychiatry appointment, nutritionist appointment and pre-op surgeon appointment.

The pregnancy test made me ggigle. I was 49 and had an ablation and my husband had a vasectomy several years ago so there was no way I was pregnant.

[sandylyn88 10]

Lol.. yeah they asked me if I ever had a mammogram .. I'm like no (I'm only 27) haha but yeah it's such a huge process tho.. so far I have done the informational meeting and bod pod assessment to measure accurate bmi, I'm a couple months into the supervised weight loss program (have to do 6 months altogether), and today met the surgeon, chose a surgery, then had bloodwork to check my Vitamins, minerals, and thyroid. So I still have a ways to go. I have diagnosed sleep apnea so I don't think I'd have to have another sleep study.

[ssflbelle 829]

I have to follow a supervised diet for six months, and I already have 2 months down of that.

Sandy May I ask what kind of a supervised diet were you given for the 6 months? Have you been losing? Did the Dr or the NUT give you the diet?

I went to my NUT for the 1st visit as I am suppose to follow a 6 month supervised diet and she gave me nothing. She said she doesn't do that. All she did was tell me what I am suppose to do after surgery in 2016. She asked what diet did the Dr give me and I told her he said to stay with NS.I have been on NS on my own for a year and have only lost 44 of more than 200 pounds. When I told her that she said well that is what you should do than as we want the insurance to see you can't lose well on a diet. I was in shock and so confused as I thought the idea was to begin to change eating habits and lose weight before surgery.

[sandylyn88 10]

That doesn't sound good.. my team basically says if I lose enough weight and don't have to have surgery then great but otherwise try to lose as much as I can before surgery cuz it will help. I see a dietician and exercise specialist and the APN once a month. My dietician wants me to eat 3 balanced meals a day, Snacks in between those meals only if I feel actual hunger, and she has using my fitness pal app so she can log in and communicate with me on there. It's been great so far. My calorie goal is no more than 1700 a day.. she also wants me to start practicing eating without drinking anything 30 mins before or after eating a meal cuz after surgery it's not good to drink with meals. So, my balanced meals I'm eating now include a Protein, grain, a fruit and vegetables. Half the plate needs to be fruit and veggies and the other half protien and grain. If I do snack.she.wants to see a plant with animal type of.snack..

[sandylyn88 10]

And I've lost 10 pounds so far

[Trinn 139]

Interesting! I met with my surgeon yesterday. I have a shorter list, in part because I had recently had a lot of bloodwork done as part of an annual physical. I had the first NUT visit at the beginning of June, and she gave me a mess o Vitamin and Protein samples, and basically laid out what they wanted me to do for food. The team strongly recommends a low carb diet, and that's what I'm comfortable doing. I would actually be really uncomfortable if I were asked to have that much fruit/veggies and grains at meals. She also strongly recommend a partial shake/partial food diet, and that's what I've been doing, mostly because I enjoy the shakes.

My surgeon said one thing I found interesting -- he said, "Even if you lose 80 pounds between now and your surgery, I will still do the surgery for you, because it's about keeping off the weight, not just losing it. So, don't feel you have to 'fail' at losing while you're waiting for approval."

[sandylyn88 10]

That's a very good attitude trinn.. and my "diet" sounds like a lot but it really isnt.. like I said 1700 max calories a day right now. This part is about changing the bad habit.. I haven't been through the nutritional.classes yet specifically for the surgery

[ssflbelle 829]

Thanks Ladies for the info on your diets. I guess I am just disappointed as I was hoping to get something new beside what I have been doing for the past year without good results. I see the Dr again on July 22 so I will see what happens between now and than.

Congratulations on the 10 pounds gone already.. I wish I could lose faster.

[sandylyn88 10]

How is it going g ssflbelle?