February 1st, I see a nutritionist not associated with the Bariatric Program at UPMC Magee Hospital.

February 11, I go to a Bariatric Support Group meeting (not required)

February 23, I go to the first of five or six Bariatric Classes to meet insurance requirements.

February 24, I attend the first of 12 weeks of Healthy Lifestyle classes (not required)

February 24, (later that same day) I have my initial Consultation with Dr. Carol A McCloskey who will likely be my surgeon

Also, I am signed up for the UPMC Body Changers program (not required) but the February schedule won't be available until tomorrow.

Woohoo! You got the ball rolling. I know all of those sessions, classes, and everything else will seem daunting and overwhelming but just have patience and you will get through it . I have one more diet documentation in a week (I've had 5 so far) and then I get to submit for approval and then hopefully schedule. I am beyond excited/nervous/scared.

Just keep yourself positive and you'll do just fine . Good luck

You are off and running! The more I learned the more excited I got!

Good luck and reach out if you need anything or have questions.

Due to the expected worst weather so far this season in Pittsburgh, PA, forecast for February 1, my independant nutritionist appointment has been rescheduled for the 19th.

Also, I have my initial bariatric appointments finally. My first class/supervised weight loss is February 23, and my initial consult with Dr. Carol A. McCloskey is February 24.

For the UPMC BodyChangers program, I will be going to Shape Training on the 7th and Finding Your Fit "Why Move?" on the 20th.

And finally, I got on the local OA site and found about a dozen meetings I should be able to get to over the course of the month to hopefully help me find new ways to deal with my emotional eating. (Maybe even actually deal with the emotions themselves? Probably not, but we'll see!)

Sounds like you have a great plan going. I just finished up all my required appts and will be meeting my surgeon on the 19th and he will give me my surgery date. I'm beyond excited!