[sageemily2005]

now im new to the site and i love what it stands for so i feel i can throw out a lil some thing here in a moment now i have being doin this journey ok i started this journey in october and its really been longer for me cause it has takin me up to 5 to 5 1/2 years to say hey smarten up chubs get with the program you need help...well i got with the program all right now i have gone threw the steps next its to meet my surgon (crossing fingers soon) ... im just now gettin to the point were im frustrated now and thinking well what if i go threw this and dont lose any weight at all they want me to lose some b4 surgry i understand why but im like HELLLLLOOOOOOO i cant lose it if i could i wouldnt be there...i have to drop 10 to 20 lbs man if it were that easy cause im almost couch bound as it is i have severe back issues at this point and walking some times brings me to my knees... any suggestions? and has any one felt like this before with the feeling they wouldnt lose weight even if they did the sugry
sorry folks im a lil messed up b4 fact

[Rachael]

No, I'm not at all worried that I won't lose weight when I have the surgery. I know I will. I've never had trouble losing weight (when I actually put my mind to it). My problem is in keeping it off.

I've lost large amounts of weight before - the last time 145-150 pounds, but gained it back.

I would feel absolutely awful if I went through surgery and all that goes with it, worked hard to lose the weight only to gain it back - just like I feel awful now - only worse after all that, I would think. But then, I just have to tell myself that I won't gain it back and I have this physical/mechanical barrier that will help me, but only help me - it won't actually do it for me, but it is something that I didn't have last time and this time I'm 10 years older and have a lot more things going on than I did before.

I know that the losing the weight before surgery when you are heavy sounds kind of strange - as you said, if you could lose the weight to begin with, why would you need surgery. But it makes sense on many, many levels.

1) Surgery isn't magic - no matter what some people think, it is NOT an easy way out and it does not mean you can eat whatever you want. Your eating habits will change, some perhaps forever, and you need to know that and be committed to it or you may regret it later. Part of proving that committment to yourself as well as the surgeon and the insurance company, is by doing it before hand.

2) If you are having insurance pay for this, it is not inexpensive. They want to know they are making a wise investment. As well, losing even as little at 5% or 10% can make surgery easier on you as well as the surgeon - which means less complications, making the insurance company, the surgeon, and ultimately you, happier.

3) I don't think they tell you just to lose weight, let you lose and not monitor you. I could be wrong, but usually you will work with someone and they will give you specific guidelines to follow. I've heard some say it was the diet they would be on after surgery, others a 1200 calorie diet, but whatever, you will have help with it. Again, if you can't be committed to changing these things before surgery, what guarantee do you have that you can after surgery?

I know it seems weird and even harsh to lose weight before surgery, but it shows you that you CAN do it and because of that, there is no reason to think that surgery wouldn't work for you.

Heck, I'm worried about the pre-colonoscopy diet I have to follow before my colonoscopy in a couple of weeks. How am I ever going to be on clear liquids for the day before and nothing the day of!!! (plus something 3 days before - can't remember now). So I know how you feel, as that is just for 1 little test. I'm freaking out about if I can't do that for just 1 day...

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.
The thoughts going through your head is quite normal.
As for pre op weight loss, some surgeons require it, some don't. Now, you may be told to just lose, or you may be put on liquid diet for 2 weeks or so prior to surgery, or go on Slimfast or Optifast or Medifast or the likes. Anyway, losing 10-20lbs is quite different from losing 100-200lbs, so the tactics that work short term isn't going to work longterm anyway. And what you need is a longterm tactic.
Good luck in your pre op journey.
((((((HUGS))))) May your journey go well.

[thumper1]

Hello! and welcome. I for one, had and still have the thoughts that "hey is this thing really gonna work?" It does work,but,it is only a tool too start us on our way we have to learn how to eat and exercise(as per our own MDs.) program and then on forever. I am 5 months out and cant believe i have lost weight,but it is happening. This site is full of wonderful people with alot of answewrs and input and comfort.....so take care and good luck on this journey. Kathy

[myavt]

I am in almost the exact same situation as you. I have a degenerative spinal problem so bad that I am given Morphine 3x a day for it!!! I HAVE managed to lose 90lbs without surgery however.

I could start walking a little when I got to around 210. It was a thrill just to consistently be able to walk around Walmart or the mall without using a wheelchair of some kind!!!

I am 5'1, dieted for a while--then weighed myself at 278. So even my top weight is kinda cheating. All I can say is with high lean protein and as close to NO carbohydrates as possible, 70lbs just FELL off! THIS IS WHILE BEING COUCH-BOUND!!!

I hope this assures you a little that things ought to be okay!

XOXO
Mya

[kimtindall]

Welcome to our lil family! So glad that you found us. I am sorry that you are having problems, but it will get easier. You have the BEST support right here!! I had to do the 2 week liquid diet and I think that I lost a total of 7 lbs...something like that!

[sageemily2005]

hello all and thank you for your input and ideas i do feel better reading each other the replies....Im excited for this very much so its been a long time comming and im not goin to give up im fighting for this.... and to reply to some of the posts above yes you go on a high protien liquid diet 2 weeks before and after you get discharged from the hospital....they just put me on a 1800 cal diet very low to no carbs ...im so glad i started to eat breakfast back in october or i would be having some big issues right now (i hate breakfast but i know its a must) ... im sure i'll be talkin to you guys again soon enough... and again Thank you all its been greatly appreciated

[dolphinlover]

Yes, start now, go to a shrink if you haven't done that, start thinking about something to do other than eat. You'll lose weight, turn off the freaking tv with all those food commercials, those are indeed the enemy when you're hungry. Best wishes.

[qt82699]

hello and welcome, before surgery i was put on this crazy diet by my dietician, i lost 24 pounds on it. for me, I was so set in my mind that this was gonna be a change of life that i just stuck to it i know that is sometimes easier said than done, just hang in there, you have already lost 5 pounds!!

[nursenaenaelvn]

Welcome aboard. Don't worry. You WILL lose weight after the surgery. And as your weight drops, you'll feel better and will be able to do more AND enjoy it! We are all here for you!. and I totally agree about the presurgery weightloss, I told my surgeon if I could drop the weight on my own. I would not be in his office then. I actually gained weight while waiting on my approval from the Insurance.