According to my insurance company, I must see my dietician 6 times over a 6 month period. I am going in for my fourth and have only lost about 12 pounds. I think I am so nervous that I'm actually sabotaging my progress! The surgery itself does not scare me. The thought of putting myself/my health first is so foreign and feels frightening. I have 2 toddlers and the need to get back to my career. I've been a stay at home mother for almost 3 years. So many changes at once! Can someone please tell me if they have had a similar experience or know how to balance all of these nerve wracking issues.

Hi Laurie. First of all, hang in there. Losing 12 lbs is great. Is there a "magic number" your doc or insurance set before you have your surgery?

You're doing fine. Everybody has, to some degree, a little apprehension regarding the surgery. It's totally normal.....so no worries! Again, just hang in there. Good luck!

Thank you, plain. You're right...I know, but it definitely helps to hear it!

According to my surgeon's office, all that matters is that you lose and do not gain during the pre-op medically managed weight loss program. I worked with my dietitian to make a list of goals and decide which ones to work on at which times. For instance, I needed to give up drainking diet soda, so for the first month I limited it to one a day, then one on days that I work, and then finally none. I didn't lose much weight, but it eased me inot the lifestyle changes that I needed to make before my surgery, and I think that is the point of the 3 or 6 month waiting period. I only lost 5 pounds in 4 months and my insurance approved me within a day of getting my info. So, 12 pounds in 4 months sounds great! My advice to you is to make a list of goals, and decide what you can do before surgery to achieve them.

I can't tell you how helpful that advice is, Angie. My dietitian has mentioned making small changes as you said, but the appointments are so quick and I was never really sure if I had done what they would consider "enough." I have also cut out my soda (not an easy one!), learned to eat at the table rather than the TV (most of the time), and add a small breakfast to my diet rather than skip the meal. I suppose baby steps may be the way to get there. I do worry that the 10 day liquid diet is going to hit me like a ton of bricks, though! I'm crossing my fingers and trying to replace a meal with a shake here & there. We'll see! Thanks for the info!

Hang in there. Just think of how much easier it'll be to get on the floor to play with your kids, bike with them, keep up with them.

I wonder if I can remember how to ride a bike?? Wow...never thought I'd do that again!