[judijo]

I am on the list to start the bariatric surgery classes in August, classes lasting 6 months. I want to start eating "better" and thought that lowfat diet program with supplimentation of Xenical, or Orlistat, OTC "Alli", would be a good way to curb my desire for fatty foods. I understand that curbing that desire could explosive gas and diarrhea.

I could easily lose (BTW, it is "lose" as in to lose weight...not "loose" as in my pants are loose) 40 lbs and still have a BMI over 40, which is the bariatric surgery requirement here.

I am hoping to hear from someone with medical/bariatric surgery background that can tell me if taking Orlistat now would somehow disqualify me for surgery in 9-12 months.

Thank you.

Judijo.

[DocSanae]

I would suggest that you talk things over with your PCP and have him/her supervise you while attempting to improving your eating habits. In truth, is's best to have a nutritionist/dietician assess your eating habits, and go over with you, where you can make the best improvements. Also, talk about the meds with your PCP. If you are taking any other meds, you need to be aware that the meds can conflict with each other.
You also need to be careful as some meds can do liver damage, and you wouldn't want it when you are waiting for your date,

((((((HUGS)))))) May your journey go well.

[fr1endly2]

I had to loose weight pre op it was a requirement by my surgeon to loose 10 percent. BUT i had to do it with good eating habits with his nutritionist....not on medications. BEING the surgery is a tool we have to learn to change some bad habits not mask them with pills.
I would talk it over with ur doctor and the bariatric group as you
wouldnt want ANYTHING to cause delays. AGAIN this is only my view on diet pills and based on my bad experience on them years back.

YOU know during my cardiology clearance for the surgery my past with
takeing diet pills REDUX could have costed me haveing the surgery due to
some permenent heart damage i got from the meds so be careful of any new products on the market...

[BreeChick]

I'll say first off I'm not a huge supporter of any meds to get the weight off. I've seen too many posties who didn't get to their goal weight they wanted and resorted to pills and that's just an ugly new 'addiction'.

Like Lisa said the surgery is a tool and it is still up to us to change habits and learning the HOW's of eating post op is like learning a new language. It takes time. I've also heard new postops here in Okla who went on and on about how 'easy' this was, "easiest thing I ever did" and it's one of my huge buttons to push hearing them say that at what? 3-6 mos post op. I would think and not say out loud "get back to me in another year hon!" FCOL

My surgeon also had us see a nutritionist and that was part of the pre requirement. Total time from call to make appt to surgery averaged 9 full months if not 10 for some. He didn't require loss of weight, only to not gain more before surgery.

I'm 5 yrs postop and the pre time seemed interminable but I got through it and was 'head' ready when surgery day came. I knew what I was supposed to do and how to do it. I was grateful for the time spent preparing.

The best advice I can give from my own personal experience is:
Use the nutritionist the insurance is paying for you to see as your stronghold to LEARN. It's some valuable education and believe me costly appts!


-bree