Questions - just starting process

[healthier&happier4life 86]

I'm just starting the process. Have attended seminar and completing paper work. I have a couple of questions.

1) I'm concerned about past weight loss. If I show that I've lost weight successfully on my own (in the past), will they still allow me to have surgery? (I've lost & regained many times over the years. Never got down to a real healthy weight though.)

2) I have to turn in a two week food diary. Do they want to see what I normally eat - OR - do they want to see my efforts toward better eating habits?

Thank you!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Welcome to Bariatric Pal. You are in for quite an adventure.

As for your first question, I would be fairly confident in saying that almost everyone who has weight loss surgery has been successful to varying degrees throughout our lives. It is keeping it off that is the biggest challenge. It is the nature of the disease of obesity. If we were excluded for successfully losing weight in the past, then no one would be eligible.

I can't answer your second question. Were you asked to start a specific eating plan? They probably just want an accurate account of what you eat for the next two weeks.

[Daisee68 2,493]

I was just going to answer same as @InnerSurferGirl. We have all lost and regained many many times. The "tool" of WLS (if used appropriately) will be your ticket (our ticket) to keeping it off as you learn new habits. For your second question, I would say they are probably trying to get an idea of what your normal day diet has looked like; however, you might check with them to be sure.

Welcome and enjoy the journey!

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

@@healthier&happier4life --

Not all med plans or surgery practices have the same policies. You'll be safest if you run those questions by the practice, primarily 1) the RD and/or NP, and 2) the staff member who handles the coverage paperwork and files it, who should be familiar with various plans' routines.. Certainly ask here if you're curious about others' experience.

I agree with @@Inner Surfer Girl about the high percentage of people who have surgery after a revolving door of losing and regaining without surgery. It may be virtually all.

All the best.

[_Kate_ 2,224]

@@healthier&happier4life

I think your questions have been answered but just wanted to say welcome to the forums

[James Marusek 5,244]

I think the answer to the second question is that they want you to become self conscious of your caloric intake for each meal and as a result start to limit them. I found it to be a useful tool especially when I ate out. I began choosing meals that were less calories and higher Protein. I found out that chili at Wendy's was good and crunchy tacos at Taco Bell were good. But milk shakes at Steak and shake had too many calories and so did pizza.

When I gave the nutritionist my meal journal, often times she did not even glance at it. That is when I discovered she was more interested in using this as a tool for self regulation.

[The Candidate 3,215]

For question one: That's the point of wanting to see your past diet history - wanting to see that you've at least tried dieting before electing for surgery. So in essence, in this case anyway, failure is what counts toward approval.

For question two: I filled out my food logs showing the changes I made in eating habits. I was expected to lose 10% before surgery. And the changes I wrote down were backed up as I lost the pre op weight. The more weight you lose as a pre op, and the sooner you begin implementing lifestyle changes, the easier your life as a post op will be. They're looking for commitment here.

[healthier&happier4life 86]

Thank you all for your responses. I will do as some suggested and check with my surgeon's office about the food log.

Thanks again!