So, my insurance does not require a nutritionist. I'm thankful that I'm already approved but wonder if I need to see a nutritionist. I am a vegetarian, so I'm already a bit concerned about figuring out what and how much I should eat. I guess I answered my own question. But, please tell me - do you find your nutritionist very helpful in your daily meal planning?

Since you are vegan, I would highly recommend seeing one. Especially if your insurance will cover it. So many Vitamins and other things you really need to incorporate into your every day diet.

I couldn't imagine going through all of this without the help of a nutritionist. It definitely won't hurt.

I find my NUT very helpful and recommend at the very least see a NUT for a few visits to ensure ur getting what ur body will need after surgery.

My doctor's clinic has two in-house nutritionists. I do think it's very helpful. I would have had no idea how to navigate meals and supplements without their guidance early on. The sleeve is just so different from anything else one has experienced prior.

But, I would be very sure to find a nut that not only has sleeve specific experience, but vegetarian sleeve also.

I am a "flexitarian" and used to eat 50 - 75% vegetarian. I found that very difficult to continue with the sleeve and Protein requirements of 75-80 grams a day. It can be done, but your options are limited. If you search on here, there have been threads in the past from veg sleevers that I'm sure would be helpful to you.

So - my plan requires four nutritionist appts, and two are before surgery. The first one is in the large group pre-op and it was basically just an overview she came in to give, answering questions about alcohol, soda and other no-nos. The second one was an hour long and we had to pay for it. I had to fill out a 3-4 page form about my eating habits and what I hoped to get out of the appt, and if I had any questions for the nutritionist. She never once looked at my questions or concerns, and spent the whole hour essentially reading the post-op diet to me (which I've already read several times) and going over do-s and don't-s of weight loss surgery--all of which were in the booklet we were given to read - and told to read before hand.

I did glean she knew her stuff about nutrition in general, and might well be very helpful after the surgery - and if i'm to see her again i'll call or write ahead and tell them I've read the material and need to spend the time otherwise.

Long way around to saying - my pre-op NUT appts were a total bust. I wouldn't waste a lot of time and money before surgery seeing one, but once you've had the surgery and are closer to eating in a new way, and have more 'real time' questions and various things like taste, nutrients and amounts are becoming known - that might be a great time to see one. There was literally not one thing said in either appointment I had that wasn't in the reading material and on this terrific site from such great experts as everyone on here.

So - my plan requires four nutritionist appts, and two are before surgery. The first one is in the large group pre-op and it was basically just an overview she came in to give, answering questions about alcohol, soda and other no-nos. The second one was an hour long and we had to pay for it. I had to fill out a 3-4 page form about my eating habits and what I hoped to get out of the appt, and if I had any questions for the nutritionist. She never once looked at my questions or concerns, and spent the whole hour essentially reading the post-op diet to me (which I've already read several times) and going over do-s and don't-s of weight loss surgery--all of which were in the booklet we were given to read - and told to read before hand.

I did glean she knew her stuff about nutrition in general, and might well be very helpful after the surgery - and if i'm to see her again i'll call or write ahead and tell them I've read the material and need to spend the time otherwise.

Long way around to saying - my pre-op NUT appts were a total bust. I wouldn't waste a lot of time and money before surgery seeing one, but once you've had the surgery and are closer to eating in a new way, and have more 'real time' questions and various things like taste, nutrients and amounts are becoming known - that might be a great time to see one. There was literally not one thing said in either appointment I had that wasn't in the reading material and on this terrific site from such great experts as everyone on here.

I felt the exact same way about my nutritionist. I left thinking "well glad I paid $50 for her to read me the packet." Even more frustrating, I TOLD her that I'd already read the packet several times. I've now met with 2 different nutritionists at my hospital and found neither of them helpful. I'd like to find a good one but I don't even know how to go about that, so I'm just kind of figuring it out on my own, and with the help of my bariatric coordinator at my surgeon's office.

Yup - that was me too. I told her I'd read it and that I didn't need it read to me - she kept at it, and then i figured out that was literally the requirement for her role that day. SO stupid - and for that I was required to pay $500!! Unreal. And they never did answer tone real questions i had, so thank goodness this forum does.

I saw a nutritionist a few years ago in pursuit of weight loss, and I actually knew more than she did, and she ended up taking notes about newer products and healthier versions of overprocessed foods from me. Again - full pay and no help. Sigh.

Can you imagine how horrible it would be to BE a nutritionist these days, and have to observe the rules about reading crap you don't believe in to patients? Mine actually copped to her 'differences' with the material they were handing out. Thanks vdub-tx!

Thank you all! I think if my insurance covers, I'll definitely talk to someone and see what they say. I appreciate your responses.