Seelessofme22
Dietitian Appointment & Where I am now
Nov 05, 2010
Well...another early morning drive to Johns Hopkins Bayview to see the dietitian. I had to pay for the 90 minute visit out of pocket...it was $311. Ouch, I know. The lady I spoke to on the phone said that I could pay half the day of the appointment and get billed for the rest...BUT...of course a sub was at her desk when I came in and didn't know anything about paying later. So, I just paid the whole thing. I figure if $311 is all I pay for this procedure I should count myself blessed.
The appointment went well. I really liked Margaret...she seemed like a very nice, sweet lady. We talked about what I'm doing now as far as food. I've been making healthier choices lately so my answer to her questions weren't bad. I had to own up to my sunflower seed addiction. AT LEAST 1 bag a day most days...AT LEAST 1, if not more. It's terrible. I'm eating healthy meals and then killing it with a bag of sunflower seeds. *sigh*
Anyway, she was nice and easy to talk to. I told her about my history and then she went over what is expected before and after surgery. Most of what she told me, I knew already but she did throw in some tidbits I didn't know about. She told me about a product called "My Diet Dinnerware". It's supposed to be utensils that help you slow down your eating. Pretty inexpensive. I think i'll buy some. She recommended Greek yogurt because it's higher in protein.
She told me some other good information but I can't remember it all right now.
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I'm slowly (well slowly to me) getting everything that I need done for my insurance approval. I would like to submit for approval before the end of the year.
5 yr history of obesity - Received paperwork from Kaiser that shows me weighing 259 in 2005 and I was diagnosed with Obesity. I have other medical records showing the continued high weight recordings.
6 month diet history - I did Weight Watchers online in January 2009. I was on the diet until September and I lost 36.6 pounds in that 8 month period. I have the weight tracker data and my gym receipts from that time. Hopefully this is enough. If not I have already started the 6 month diet classes at Johns Hopkins just in case I need them.
Cardiac Clearance/Evaluation - EKG done and normal. Stress test done and onsite doctor said it looked normal. I have a follow up appointment with my cardiologist for clearance on Monday.
Nutrition Evaluation - Had it done today. It went well.
Lab work - Completed by PCP.
History and Physical - Completed by PCP.
Still to be done
Letter of Medical Necessity - Already wrote most of it...I just need some results back before I finish it and send it to my PCP to sign.
Drug and alcohol screening - Still need to get done. Got the information for a walk-in lab.
Psychiatric Evaluation - I have an appointment scheduled for Dec. 2. I am contacting other psychiatrist's to get an earlier date.
Sleep Study - Scheduled for Monday, Nov. 8th. (Insurance doesn't require but I want to know if I can add Sleep Apnea to my list of co-morbidities)