Deja

83 lbs is GREAT!
It sounds like you and I are on similar paths. I'm at 11 months and have lost 78 lbs and I have about 40 left to lose. I contented myself with losing very slowly. Could I have been more faithful to the bariatric diet? Yes. But I'm happy and I feel great and to me, that's all that matters.

The thing to watch for with the various online BMR calculators is that they are intended for normal people, not significantly overweight people. BMR most closely correlates to lean body, or muscle, mass rather than overall scale weight - all that extra fat that we carry, or did carry, does little to influence BMR, but can give a false sense of hope by implying that we can lose weight at, say, 2000 calories when we really need to be at 1000 to get the weight off. For my numbers, there is a difference of close to 1000 calories on that calculator between the fat me and the normal weight me, and while scale weight can make some difference when discussing active or moving metabolism, as it takes energy to move that extra fat around, the difference to resting metabolism (BMR) is insignificant.
When using these calculators, it is best to use your "ideal" or goal weight to get a better idea of what your BMR really is.
The other problem is that these calculators seek to tell you what your BMR should be rather than what it actually is, and with the metabolic problems that can accompany severe obesity, that can be a significant difference. Individual testing such as a VOX test is better, but costs more than a free calculator, but can still have some errors as they are still algorithmically based upon normal people. but they are closer.
As for using BMR after WLS, the best way to use it is to simply say "that's interesting" and then ignore it. Keep your calories as moderately low as you can, say 800-1000 calories per day for most, and don't worry about BMR until you get close to your goal weight and need to increase your consumption to stabilize your weight (weight loss history is a better measure of your real world metabolism anyway) or if your weight loss is too slow and you need to adjust your intake downward.
In short, BMR is an interesting number, but not overly useful for us in the form that we usually find it.

Thank you both. This is super helpful. I think I'm just going to meet with her two more times to be consistent. I sent her the form and am keeping the mentality that she doesn't have to approve of what I'm doing but just needs to sign off on the counseling part. Appreciate the help!

I agree with Shane. I'd probably just finish out your last two visits. UHC/optum accepts programs like weight watchers for supervised diet visits which wouldn't be endorsing surgery, so I see no difference with her either (if that makes sense?). Her role is to document your weight and guide your nutrition and exercise goals.
If you are set against seeing her again, I know my nurse coordinator with optum said I could see my PCP for 3 months then see a nutritionist for the next 3 months. This would satisfy their 6 month requirements even though it wouldn't be with the same provider. The 3 and 3 month is just an example, it could be any combination. I just received my approval through UHC Optum, let me know if you have any other questions and good luck with the approval process!

Stigma maybe, stigmata very doubtful unless your side and the palms of your hands are bleeding.

I would call your surgeons office for more clarification. Part of my 2 week preop diet is no caffeine, so real coffee is a no-no. The no caffeine rule also extends for me 4 weeks postop. It's gonna be a really difficult 6 weeks... My allowed clear liquids are Water, crystal light, G2/vitamin water, broth, sugar free Gelatin, sugar free popsicles, and Decaf coffee or tea. Clear liquids 24 hours before surgery for my surgeons requirements.

For something simple, sweet and easy to add in, my surgeon and nutritionist recommended adding sugar free Torani syrups to cottage cheese or yogurt.

For something simple, sweet and easy to add in, my surgeon and nutritionist recommended adding sugar free Torani syrups to cottage cheese or yogurt.