Dietitian appointment - what do I need?

[LadyLumps]

Hi all,

I've just had a letter through to say I'm seeing dietitian on 11th Aug.

Really not sure what to expect or what to take / how to prepare. Any advice?

This is the bit I'm most scared of because I grew up around some unhealthy messages around 'healthy' eating so I find I am a bit resistant to advice. I am sooooooo ready to change and am changing my habits but I think this will be one of the trickiest bits of T3 for me, so I'm calling you guys in to reassure me!

Thanks in advance.

Meg xxx

 

[los in it]

when I had my meeting we talked my history with food what type of eater I was, grazer, comfort, emotional etc weather ive tried other methods to lose weight how successful or not I was also asked what if any medication I was on and for what.so maybe take that with you do be really honest with them it may hurt you to hear yourself talk about how you eat every day but they are there to help and guide you they deal with people like us every single day and know the first few steps on the road to WLS is very much a learning curve so take his/her advise and all will be good
ps maybe think about just for a week writing down your daily food intake it will help them and you to see how each day is for you
good luck

 

[sundown]

Hi all,

I've just had a letter through to say I'm seeing dietitian on 11th Aug.

Really not sure what to expect or what to take / how to prepare. Any advice?

This is the bit I'm most scared of because I grew up around some unhealthy messages around 'healthy' eating so I find I am a bit resistant to advice. I am sooooooo ready to change and am changing my habits but I think this will be one of the trickiest bits of T3 for me, so I'm calling you guys in to reassure me!

Thanks in advance.

Meg xxx

If you're going to Gloucester Royal then you don't need to take anything to prepare. She'll go through a bunch of questions about your eating habits, previous dieting attempts, your medical history (she'll have notes on that...though in my case, the wrong notes). The first session is really more of a background and the second session she digs further into what you've said about your eating habits and gives you 'homework' to break down those habits into areas to work on (so, in my case it was not eating regularly and eating too fast) and you'll then work on that.

She doesn't give you advice or a diet plan. Though she's a dietician, the pathway Gloucester follow is extremely psychological so it's more a case of her encouraging you to think about your eating and why you've been unsuccessful losing weight. She'll ask you whether you want to attend group or one-to-one monthly sessions. They'll get you an appointment with the consultant and he'll set your weight loss target (generally 10%).

I did that part of the process at Gloucester for 6 months, but then dropped out to go private.

Good luck

 

[LadyLumps]

when I had my meeting we talked my history with food what type of eater I was, grazer, comfort, emotional etc weather ive tried other methods to lose weight how successful or not I was also asked what if any medication I was on and for what.so maybe take that with you do be really honest with them it may hurt you to hear yourself talk about how you eat every day but they are there to help and guide you they deal with people like us every single day and know the first few steps on the road to WLS is very much a learning curve so take his/her advise and all will be good
ps maybe think about just for a week writing down your daily food intake it will help them and you to see how each day is for you
good luck

Thanks los in it. That's really helpful and sounds unscary and like quite a gentle approach. I think I might do a diary for a week beforehand. I'm used to food logs and it will give them something to look at when my words fail me (as they often do at crucial times!)

Thanks again for taking the time to reply xxx

 

[Kar8858]

I found they told me what i already knew..eat healthily, food groups etc, my issues wasnt not knowing what to eat it was wanting toeat takeaways and rubbish instead...i had to pay £150 for my appointment but was part of it. Enjoy your appointment!

 

[LadyLumps]

If you're going to Gloucester Royal then you don't need to take anything to prepare. She'll go through a bunch of questions about your eating habits, previous dieting attempts, your medical history (she'll have notes on that...though in my case, the wrong notes). The first session is really more of a background and the second session she digs further into what you've said about your eating habits and gives you 'homework' to break down those habits into areas to work on (so, in my case it was not eating regularly and eating too fast) and you'll then work on that.

She doesn't give you advice or a diet plan. Though she's a dietician, the pathway Gloucester follow is extremely psychological so it's more a case of her encouraging you to think about your eating and why you've been unsuccessful losing weight. She'll ask you whether you want to attend group or one-to-one monthly sessions. They'll get you an appointment with the consultant and he'll set your weight loss target (generally 10%).

I did that part of the process at Gloucester for 6 months, but then dropped out to go private.

Good luck

Hi sundown!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience of GRH. I've been for my assessment and one additional appointment so have done the habit breakdown thingy that you mention. My agreed path is seminars (starting next month) and a couple of dietician appointments alongside, one of which is on the 11th.

Can I ask wow far in you were when you got your appt with the consultant? I am keen to get a target set asap!! Especially as I'm doing quite well with dropping some pounds right now.

thanks again for your support xxx

 

[sundown]

Can I ask wow far in you were when you got your appt with the consultant? I am keen to get a target set asap!! Especially as I'm doing quite well with dropping some pounds right now.

thanks again for your support xxx

I got my appointment with the consultant 6 months in to the program. I'm afraid that was one of the major reasons I dropped out of the program because I was so annoyed that I'd already done 6 months and was told that my weight target would only be given at that point, plus the 12 month wait! I'm not sure if the wait to see the consultant is always that long or if I just got unlucky.

Another reason I dropped out was that, after research, I decided I wanted the mini-bypass and they don't offer that.

I hope you catch a break and get a quick appointment. If I were you I'd push for a date on every visit.

 

[LadyLumps]

Thanks sundown. Yeah, I can see why you would get frustrated. Also when it's the right treatment for you, it's the right treatment, and it sounds like mini bypass has worked wonders for you so yay! Out of interest, which private service did you use?

I have looked into private as well. I think the only affordable-ish option for me would be Belgium. Not long bought a house and am self-employed so savings aren't really happening right now :-D

My 'keyworker' at the WLMS said they'd count my target from the very first appointment when I asked, but I guess that's the WLMS target and now the surgeon's one? I have another appt with her today so I'm going to try and find out a little more.

Thanks again for your insight xxx

 

[LadyLumps]

I found they told me what i already knew..eat healthily, food groups etc, my issues wasnt not knowing what to eat it was wanting toeat takeaways and rubbish instead...i had to pay £150 for my appointment but was part of it. Enjoy your appointment!

Thanks Kar 8858. Yes, I feel I know most of it... I was brought up by extremely (unhealthily!!) health conscious parents. If anything I want some of their myths debunked by someone with expertise. The rest of it is probably going to sound familiar, but maybe I'll benefit from hearing it from a reliable source lol. I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[excitedbutnervous]

I am 2 weeks post op, and I would say push for a suggested diet plan for each of the 3 stages: Liquid, Puree and Mash. Otherwise like me it could be that you are grappling for ideas. Also although they apparently don't like to state, ask what targets you should be aiming for e.g. Calories, Protein.

Good luck

 

[sundown]

Thanks sundown. Yeah, I can see why you would get frustrated. Also when it's the right treatment for you, it's the right treatment, and it sounds like mini bypass has worked wonders for you so yay! Out of interest, which private service did you use?

I've not had surgery yet. I've had my consultant appointment and am waiting for his secretary to confirm a date, but I'm hoping for late October. I'm going through the National Obesity Surgery Supplier provider and having the op done by Mr Byrne at Spire Southampton.

I have looked into private as well. I think the only affordable-ish option for me would be Belgium. Not long bought a house and am self-employed so savings aren't really happening right now :-D

Yup, it is expensive (£9,750) and I was very tempted by Belgium but it would have meant going on my own for surgery as my partner's work diary for the rest of the year is mental. I'm essentially wiping out all my savings to have this done, but I figure that as it's the best possible thing I could do for my long-term health it's a good use of money.

My 'keyworker' at the WLMS said they'd count my target from the very first appointment when I asked, but I guess that's the WLMS target and now the surgeon's one? I have another appt with her today so I'm going to try and find out a little more.

That's great if they're going to count you from Day 1. It seems that you get different advice with different key workers. Are they asking you to lose 10% of weight? That seems to be about the average.

I hope you get Mr Hewin for your consultant - I saw him for a chat and he was really nice and seems very experienced in this type of surgery.

 

[LadyLumps]

I am 2 weeks post op, and I would say push for a suggested diet plan for each of the 3 stages: Liquid, Puree and Mash. Otherwise like me it could be that you are grappling for ideas. Also although they apparently don't like to state, ask what targets you should be aiming for e.g. Calories, Protein.

Good luck

Thank you - that's a really good suggestion. Not even sure which type of surgery I'll decide on yet so maybe that'll affect what they'd recommend... but I guess I'll get as much out of them as possible while I'm in there! x

 

[LadyLumps]

I've not had surgery yet. I've had my consultant appointment and am waiting for his secretary to confirm a date, but I'm hoping for late October. I'm going through the National Obesity Surgery Supplier provider and having the op done by Mr Byrne at Spire Southampton.

Yup, it is expensive (£9,750) and I was very tempted by Belgium but it would have meant going on my own for surgery as my partner's work diary for the rest of the year is mental. I'm essentially wiping out all my savings to have this done, but I figure that as it's the best possible thing I could do for my long-term health it's a good use of money.

That's great if they're going to count you from Day 1. It seems that you get different advice with different key workers. Are they asking you to lose 10% of weight? That seems to be about the average.

I hope you get Mr Hewin for your consultant - I saw him for a chat and he was really nice and seems very experienced in this type of surgery.

Ah sorry I'm easily confused! Yes, same with my partner, and it sounds like having someone to go with you is key. My savings pot is at £0 currently so while I'm desperate to have it done I am just going to wait it out. If I had savings they would be going on private treatment though, same as you! I look at it as a life-lengthening procedure, if not live-saving, so it should come top of the list.

I was really pleased that they were willing to count from Day 1, although I wouldn't be surprised if the surgeon expects me to keep on losing while I'm on the wait list for the procedure. But for now, my target is 5% in 6 months. I understand that it's either 5% in 6 months or 10% in 12 months for Glos. Mine is the lesser one because of sleep apnea.

Ooh okay, thanks! I'll remember that name and keep my fingers crossed!

Thanks again sundown