Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Beginning My Pre-Op Journey & The Nutritionist Suggests Herbal Life?



Recommended Posts

Hello All--

So this is only the second time I've posted. I found this site while researching the lap band procedures. I've read hundreds of the stories each of you have shared. And many of these stories have reaffirmed God's word to me that I should take this step of faith.

Little background...I'm 45, a proud mother of a college freshman, and I've been overweight all of my life EXCEPT when I was pregnant. During my pregnancy I lost weight (about 60 lbs!) and I made the mistake of believing that my metabolism would stay there and I'd keep it off...NOT! So...needless to say, over the past 18 years I've gained that weight back ++++ more.

I, like many of you, have tried EVERY (& I mean EVERY) weight loss plan out there. And they all work...for a while. Then you stop buying all of those expensive products, stick to the program for a while...then the weight loss plateau...you get discouraged and can that attempt...then the weight comes back.

I, like many of you, am TIRED of carrying these extra unnecessary pounds. I thought I was beyond the normal health conditions that are associated with obesity until the last few years of my life. I've never, I mean NEVER, had problems with my blood pressure until 2 years ago. Now I'm on medication. Reflux that NEVER leaves...yeah I got that too. Constant joint pain from carrying the additional weight..that's me too. Diabetes runs on both sides of my family--I've still escaped that one, but who knows...it could be knocking at my door too.

I want to live to see my child graduate college, get married, have kids. I can't do that how I am now. I'm an only child, and while I'm blessed to still have my dad, God called my mama and best friend home almost 5 years ago to cancer. If God calls me, I don't want it to be because I didn't take care of my temple...my body.

Hence the reason for my screen name...I'm ON A MISSION IN 2012 to take my life back!

So I began my mission with my insurance BCBS CareFirst. I was surprised to find out that I do not need pre approval to have the surgery because I live outside of the United States. I asked the CSR 4 times to be sure. I said "I don't want any surprise bills from BCBS...ARE YOU SURE?" lol and she referred me to the benefits book and told me what page to go to. Hallelujah!!! I'm on my way! I want to be banded in December!!!

I still want to have the psychological & nutritional evaluations..just in case. And I believed that they would benefit me in the long run. So I scheduled an appointment with the nutritionist for yesterday. I expected her to tell me that I didn't need the surgery...that I COULD DO THIS...with her help of course...but I did not expect her to try and tell me that Herbal Life was the only way!!! I figured that she would map out a meal plan...with regular foods...to learn to eat healthier and to learn Portion Control. She kept pushing the Herbal Life. I was so mad. I finally said "look lady, I'm positive that Herbal Life works...for the time you're on it. It's no different from the hundreds of other weight loss programs I've tried. But when you've been overweight all of your life, and you've yo-yo dieted for most of that time, it comes a point when you have to CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE. I believe that with the lap band I can do just that. It will allow me to eat regular foods (not shakes) for the rest of my life..at no additional cost (lol) but it will assist me with portion control. It will make me listen to my body and stop eating when I'm full." She really didn't have a comeback...so she asked me what I wanted her to write in her evaluation for me. She did ask me to do the Herbal Life until I had my surgery...I told her I'd think about it.

Whew...I guess I've said a mouthful. :rolleyes: I'll continue to be encouraged by your posts...your struggles..your triumphs..your knowledge. My appointment with the surgeon is 22 Oct. I'm excited. I've met him before because I went with a friend of mine to one of her appointments. My goal is to be banded mid December. I always said that I never wanted to have surgery again (I've had my gall bladder & spleen removed), but God is guiding this ship...and I'm on for the ride.

Blessings to each of you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congratulations on your decision. My first step would be to find another nutritionists............perhaps your surgeon can recommend one. Wait to see what your surgeon wants you to accomplish between now and surgery, keeping in mind you will probably have to do a pre op liquid diet of some sort.

I would have been on fire when she mentioned HL after your rant........good for you for staying calm.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you..

I'm all for the liquid diet pre & post surgery...but for her sole reason to sell me her product? NOT!

One thing I have a lot of is patience...I'll be alright...I'm just READY now, you know?

Take care.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow. First of all...great job. You seem like you have done your research and are mentally prepared (which is the most important!)

Forget what the dietitian/nutritionist said about herbal life. If you really want to follow this to the T then I suggest you seek another opinion. My dietitian gave me a meal plan for a person having a bypass, and said it was the same thing. Totally different, I threw the paper as soon as I got outta that place.

Your mind and heart are on the right place, everything else will fall into place. Congrats on making the first steps to your new you and journey. If you have any questions feel free to message me.

B)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the encouragement! It's harder for me to find another nutritionist because I live in Europe, but the surgeon does have a nutritionist that works with him.

Even though BCBS doesn't require it for pre-approval since I live outside the US, I was trying to cover my bases in case BCBS developed a case of amnesia! lol

And yes...I am so spiritually and mentally ready for this next season in my life!

,

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congratulations on your decision. My first step would be to find another nutritionists............perhaps your surgeon can recommend one. Wait to see what your surgeon wants you to accomplish between now and surgery, keeping in mind you will probably have to do a pre op liquid diet of some sort.

I would have been on fire when she mentioned HL after your rant........good for you for staying calm.

wow, wonder how much Herbal Life is paying her for referrals?

I would definitely look for a new nutritionist. That is just not right.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Best wishes with your surgery! I would say get with a different nutritionist and start ASAP

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×