This week I met with my PA and Nutrionist. It went better than expected as I was so darn nervous; they both were great! The PA said I should fly through my checklist the hospital requires with no problem which is really good to hear. So now I start cutting back calories to lose my 5% (at minimum) that the surgeon requires before surgery. The nutritionist wants me to eat about 1600 calories a day, aiming at 75-80 grams Protein. I know this is the first steps to this whole process and it's setting in and I couldn't be happier with my choice!

One question I have is what happens when I lose my 5% and go through all the hosipital requirements and they then go to insurance for clearance. If my insurance requires any pre-surgery diet (which I think mine requests 6 months) can the hosiptal/surgeon override this? Or will the hospital come back and say that I HAVE to complete a 6 month diet before getting a surgery date?

IF that is what your insurance requires then you probably will have to do it. So the beginning is right now. Start doing daily logs on your food (your nut probably has asked you do to that) if you have seen your Primary care doc for weight loss those records could help. But bottom line if that is what they require you will just have to see the nut for six months, get everything else done that is needed to be approved and go for it. I know it sucks. Waiting sucks it just does. But somehow you have to know that this will be time well spent getting ready for surgery and a healthier way of living. And that can start even before the surgery. My thoughts and hopes are with you. Keep coming here for support and knowledge. You have made the first step. For the majority of us it has not been a quick process. So just hang on you are getting ready for a great ride.

THANK YOU for those encouraging words. I know i'll be fine with waiting 6months, it will fly by and i'll be on my way to a healthier me before the surgery....it will all work out :-)