Last Thursday I had my first one on one consult with the actual surgeon (Dr. M) who will be preforming my Lap Band surgery.  I really enjoyed meeting with him and he was very knowledgeable and answered all of my numerous questions.  He was very calm and easy going, which I really appreciated.  Dr. M was also very much to the point, letting me know the pro’s and con’s of each of the surgeries available to me.  He asked me things like what my ultimate goal is (to be healthy, to be a “normal” size, etc.) and why I chose Lap Band.  It was a really good conversation.

Dr. M would like to see me lose 10-15 pounds prior to two weeks before my surgery date.  He wants me to do a modified Atkins or South Beach (which I already knew actually.)  I have started meal planning for that and started following the plan on Sunday.  The modifications are things like eating berries, sweet potatoes, whole healthy foods in healthy portions.  I’m going to initially avoid have large portions of grains, and will avoid the “white” things (sugar, flour, rice, etc.)  I absolutely know that I can reach that 10-15 pound goal in the time frame given.  It already feels really good to be back to having a plan to follow.  I feel like I’ve been doing a lot of wondering since I’ve started this process, and I’m glad to have a path again.

I also got to meet with the insurance coordinator (Pam) and was able to speak with her about setting up my psych evaluation and what types of out of pocket expense that I can expect.  One of the most frustrating things I’ve run into in this process is trying to estimate what types and what amounts of out of pocket expenses I can expect with the surgery.  Actually, not just the surgery, but the entire process.  I have started a spreadsheet where I am tracking all costs, those that are related to various doctors appointments and those related to things such as trying new protein shakes (reviews in process!)  Once the process is complete, I’m going to do a post that includes all of the costs for someone on my particular insurance (Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield Standard.)

In case anyone in the DC Area is reading and is interested in bariatric surgery, you might want to know what group I’m going through.  I’m going through Blue Point Surgical Group, and so far have had a great experience with them.  They are incredibly friendly, have gone above and beyond helping me get my various appointments set up.  It’s a small thing, but they call me by name, which makes me feel like they know who I am as opposed to Patient #298113.  They also have a great memory, I have had a change in insurance carriers, and they have been incredibly helpful and flexible in that process, as well as remembering when the change was happening.

Tomorrow…the Sleep Study.  Ugh.