Question:
Do other people start to diet and work out while waiting for surgery?
I am waiting for my surgery appointment right now. I'm wondering if others who are waiting now are still eating the same way they used to or are you starting to diet and trying to eat what you'll have to eat post-op? I am trying to eat what I'll have to eat post op partially because I want to get as healthy as I can before surgery and partially just to get used to it. But I am failing miserably and it's bringing me down. I know if I could do Atkins/protein shakes without fail, I probably wouldn't need the surgery to begin with, but it's still bugging me. Does this have anything to do with how I will be able to comply post op? Thanks for your feedback! — Susan B. (posted on March 12, 2002)
March 12, 2002
I just had my first visit with my surgeon and he would like me to drop
20-50 lbs prior to surgery...he prefers to try to do lap rather than open
when he can and dropping that weight will insure that I can have lap. I
thought is was kind of an odd request since I'm having this surgery because
I can't seem to get rid of the weight, but I'm willing to do what I have to
do in order to make this surgery easier on myself. So, hitting the water,
the high protein, low carb stuff now....and walking...it's all I can do as
far as exercise and even that hurts my ankles and knees, but I'll try my
best. Besides, every step takes me closer to the other side...I've had
enought "last" meals, and they are all still SHOWING!! LOL!
— Wendy C.
March 12, 2002
hi susan,
you didn't give your bmi.... if you are really close to the 40 mark, i
wouldn't recommend losing any weight. you don't want to bump yourself out
of insurance contention.
— DEE DEE M.
March 12, 2002
Susan don't be so hard on yourself! There is no way you can live the postop
life preop! What I did that I think made things easier for me is: Stop
drinking sodas, eat more protein, start trying protein shakes to find a few
that are tolerable, start exercising moderately, do moderate weight
training using arms, legs and abs to prepare for surgery, and look at all
those clothes you will soon be able to wear! You will find that postop is a
whole 'nuther ball game and "sticking to the program" is not as
hard as it is preop. Believe me I have been on enough
2-week-then-to-heck-with-it diets in my life! Anything you do preop is a
little boost but don't beat yourself up if you aren't wildly successful.
That will come later!
— ctyst
March 12, 2002
My doctor requires that you lose 10% of your weight before surgery, JUST
make sure that your surgeon, or whom ever is doing your insurance paper
work using your start weight and BMI. After I lose my 10%, I will be on
the border line of the Insurance companies requirments, but my doctor is
using my starting BMI & weight.
— Kimberley D.
March 12, 2002
My Doc required weight loss prior to surgery so I lost about 11 pounds. I
think it is good to try to eat healthy but I wouldn't be too hard on
yourself. If you can start walking a little bit it will help your recovery
and make it easier for you post op.. I think if we can make this a choice
rather than a something I should do it makes it easier. good luck! Kathy
— kathleen S.
March 12, 2002
It's interesting that this question appeared today... I was just thinking
last night that in the last couple of weeks since I made the decision to
have the surgery (when financially able), that I have now become more
conscious of my eating habits. I've been researching WLS for a few months
now. But it's as if now that I KNOW in my heart that this is what I want to
do, I'm preparing myself as much as possible. Right now I'm even thinking I
don't feel the need to have a "Last Supper" (don't quote me on
that though, nerves may change that pre-op. LOL) I guess what I can tell
you is that I am doing the following: drinking more water, watching the fat
grams, when I have the cookie craving it is now only 3 instead of the whole
package, eliminating caffeine and just getting out of the house more. It
may not seem like much but believe me, it is for me! Don't put pre-op
pressure on yourself. Just keep reading and researching, supporting others,
and the rest will follow that much easier. I wouldn't stress about doing
anything big (expensive) like Atkins...take the small steps first. Good
Luck, Anna
— Anna L.
May 31, 2002
I'm glad to know that i'm not the only person wondering about this.I have
been researching everything I can about the WLS for the past month,and all
of a sudden I realized that I had lost 10 lbs.I have cut back on pop,and
sweets without really thinking about it,now when I do crave them,I get sick
to my stomach from the sugar.Has anyone else went through that??maybe it's
a good thing for me,since i'm a sugar addict...thats why I wanna have this
WLS.....I think one time of dumping would be enough to stay clear of it for
good!! Not to mention the pounds disappearing.......lol
Good luck to everyone,can't wait til I have a date of surgery to
announce.......
— kim M.
May 31, 2002
I did. I started out at a BMI of 44.8. After seeing the nutritionist, she
told me that I must be consuming more than 4000 calories a day to maintain
my weight. I looked at her like she had three heads. There was no way I
was eating 4000 calories a day. However, after thinking about it i was
DRINKING the majority of my calories. I am ALWAYS thirsty and I know it
sounds so "duh" but I never realized how many calories I was
consuming through juice and soda. I stopped all carbonated drinks and
juices and lost nearly twenty pounds without much effort before surgery.
Then after a few more "tweaks" to my diet, including increasing
exercise, I lost an additional 11 for a total loss of 31 pounds before
surgery. My surgeon was pleased and my BMI was just under 40 and it had no
effect on MY insurance coverage. Yours may be different so please do
check. I just felt that I needed to make the necessary changes before
surgery to prove that I was committed to following my surgeons post op
orders. I make no judgements on anyone elses decision but for me it was
the right thing to do. Now I am 10 days post op and yesterday I had my
first post-op visit with the surgeon and guess what? I lost 17 more
pounds! WOW! I nearly cried right there in his office I was so happy.
— Suzanne F.
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