Question:
Anyone have words of encouragement...
I'm usually giving advice, but right now I need some. I WAS on the Atkins diet and doing fairly well, however I fell off, and have gained not only the 16 pounds I lost, but 11 more bringing me to 401 pounds. I have never been this big in my life. Today I went to get some walking sweats, and realized I went up a size. This could hurt my chances for getting my surgery, because the doctor specifically told me NOT to gain any weight, AND I volunteered to lose some. After I didn't get my approval last year I started eating normally, and now I can't stop. I'm just looking for words of encouragement.. any would be helpful. Thanks in advance! — Laydie K. (posted on February 1, 2003)
February 1, 2003
Hi, Laydie! I can sure relate. I can't tell you how many diets I've
started, with the best of intentions, only to find myself not doing it, and
regaining the weight plus more. Personally, I don't feel it's right for
these docs to make you lose weight first. If we could lose it, we wouldn't
need WLS, right? But, if you feel you must do it, I guess you should at
least try to get the 11 extra pounds off. I tried Atkins last year, and
stayed with it for about a month. Can't tell you why I went off it, other
than I just got tired of the low carb routine. If I had stayed with the
"healthy" carbs, instead of going back to sugary stuff, I might
have been able to stick it out. Why don't you give it another try? Rid
your house of carbs, and get all the stuff you need for the induction
phase, and see what happens. Good luck, and let us know how it's going.
We've all been there, many more times than we would like to count.
— Carlita
February 1, 2003
Before I had approval with my insurance company, I couldn't seem to get on
track with food. Afterall, THAT was my coping mechanism for stress. After
I got approval and my surgery date, it was STILL hard to eat right because
I was excited. And, I also eat when I'm excited. That being said, my
surgeon explained that he would not perform the surgery if I gained any
weight. A couple reasons: He did not want me to have "fatty
liver" which could really increase chances of complications during
surgery. Sometimes the liver is so big from overeating, they cannot
actually perform the surgery and have to close you back up, he also wanted
to know what my commitment was to this change BEFORE I went through with
it. I really didn't feel any hope that I'd be able to do it. Then he
explained something else. He drew a bunch of hills and valleys on a piece
of paper and said "this has been your life so far". Losing,
gaining, losing, gaining more . . . etc. He said what I want to do by
having you lose weight before surgery is to get you on one of those down
hill climbs and insert this tool while you are down so that you will never
be able to go back "up" again. Sort of nipping it in the bud. I
understood this. I didn't diet before surgery, but I did think twice about
what I was putting in my mouth and did not have those trigger foods in the
house. I ended up losing 8 pounds. I was just relieved I hadn't gained
any. Keep those trouble foods out. Be honest with yourself at the grocery
store. It will help you so much in the long run. Good luck on your
journey. Kim (RNY 12-12-02 304/265)
— Kim B
February 1, 2003
Keep on trying. Give it your best effort. I gained 30 lbs before my
surgery. My surgeon was NOT happy but did the surgery anyway. Good LUX
— Robert L.
February 2, 2003
Don't get too down on yourself. We are all in the same boat. You have to be
dedicated to having this procedure, and try your best to follow the rules.
It will be hard, but think about the results! Your doctor wants to see if
you are mentally prepared to give up certain foods. When you are post op,
these foods will hurt your body. You have to be mentally ready to give
these things up. Get yourself pumped, pick a day this week, and start your
mental challenge. You are the only one who has this control. Take control
and win!
— wiggie34
February 2, 2003
I appreciate all of your responses. I have went back on Atkins, and so far
i'm okay. I just have learned to cook ahead of time before I get hungry,
that way when it's time to eat, I wont reach for the first carbohydrate I
see..lol. Thanks a lot.
— Laydie K.
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