Question:
I need to lose 60 pounds before I can have my surgery.
What would you suggest that I eat to try and speed things along? I am having a really tough time losing. Brian — cubdaddy (posted on December 20, 2007)
December 19, 2007
I had to lose weight also prior to surgery. My DR put me on 3 slimfast
shakes and 1 slimfast protein bar a day. I substituted a protein shake made
with water for 1 of the slimfast shakes for more protein. When I felt like
munching on something I ate sugarfree popsicles, carrot sticks and celery.
I lost 30 pounds in 17 days.
— VA_Bill
December 20, 2007
Absurd. Get a second opinion.
— Tom Y.
December 20, 2007
you need a different surgeon. some surgeons just want the easay cases and
put insane rules to discourage the tough ones.
— bob-haller
December 20, 2007
I've always heard it was about 10-15% of your weight, and that is more for
the purpose of seeing if you can actually stay on track with what you eat
after surgery. I would ask why. You should also be seeing a nutritionist if
it's a reputable surgeon. I've been on a pre-op diet, which consists of 4
oz of protein at each meal, with 1/4 to 1/4 vegetable (non-starch). I
normally have egg beaters for breakfast, a protien shake for lunch, and
then 4 oz of chicken, fish or pork for dinner. Eat slow and drink lots of
water and the weight will come off quickly. Good luck!
— sadpuppyeyes
December 20, 2007
I also had to lose befor surgery, its because we have enlarged livers and
they have to move the liver to get to the main part of the stomach that is
going to be opperated on. The more you can lose the smaller your liver
gets. I only lost 30 pounds but it made a very big differance. My surgeon
also did a liver biopsy and it did show that I have a diseased liver from
having to much weight on it.
How I lost was two weeks of optifast right before surgery and the months
before all I did was make sure I ate lots of things with protein in it
first then my veggies then if there was any room left (which wasn't very
often) I would eat the noodles or rice or what ever else I made for supper.
If you can, also watch how much carbs you take in, I stay under 19g per
meal. Good rule of thumb is, the higher the carbs the more that when you do
get exercise the only thing that comes off is the carbs that you ate. So
the less carbs you eat the more actuall weight you will lose when you do
move. No mater if its like I was before surgery where I only moved to go to
the bathroom.
This journey has just been a God send for me.
I hope this helps.
God bless you
Paula
— japaad
December 21, 2007
Seriously? Get another surgeon. If I could lose 60 pounds "on
demand" I wouldn't have needed surgery. My surgeon, and many others,
never require/demand weight loss prior to surgery -- that's what the
surgery is for. Bowel prep is different... but 60 pounds? Geesh.
— [Deactivated Member]
December 21, 2007
It seems unfair asking you to lose 60 lbs before surgery. I would tell my
doctor I want the surgery and if he won't do it find someone else. If you
still want to try and lose the 60 lbs , I would try 2-3 protien drinks with
unflavored beneprotien and salads, also exercise will help. But I know how
it is when your overweight and try to exercise, it's a pain.
I had Lap RNY 7/9/07 and have lost 90 lbs and 12 inches off my waist. Good
luck don't give up.
— John C.
December 21, 2007
Cut out all sugar and starch in your diet. Eat lean protein--chicken,
fish, turkey, limited red meat and eggs. Avoid dairy--milk is full of
sugar in the form of lactose. In addition to the protein, eat as much
non-starch veggies as you want (no carrots, peas, potatos, squash, etc.).
There are a lot of sugar free items that can be used to satisfy a sweet
tooth... but remember, sugar free does not mean carb free. You may find
it helpful to pick up a book about low carb dieting... Atkins, Southbeach,
generic low carb. I use the general principles but don't completely follow
it.
If you are unable to do this, you may want to talk to your doctor about
opti-fast or medi-fast. These are "diet" plans that have you
drinking 3 or 4 shakes a day with minimal food intake. It's definitely not
fun but should help you get the weight off quickly.
Good luck to you.
— mrsidknee
December 21, 2007
Hi Brian. Weight loss prior to surgery is very tough, but if you set your
mind on the goal it will help you so much in the long run. If you use a
few basic concepts and stay with them, they will help you. You will have
to submit to the idea of weight loss and surgery and fight the urge to have
want you want, but if you do that, you can lose some weight. I would start
by drinking 1 to 2 gallons of water every day. Not all at once, but drink
water like a fish. Then each only 3 meals a day, concentrate on large
vegetable quantities and some lean protein. No more than 3 oz of protein
per meal. If you have a snack, make it small, but if you can avoid
snacking, fight that battle. The last thing is exercise. Find a way to
walk, and then do it faithfully. If you want this surgery you are gonna
have to fight for it. The good thing Brian, is that it will set you up to
continue to fight after surgery because the same things holds true after
surgery, you just have a tool to help you. And you won't struggle with the
desire for so much food in your body, but your head will still want big
portions. You can join a hospital "fasting" type program or a
slim fast program of some sort, but if you will drink water like a fish,
exercise by walking a few miles a day, and eat like a bird, you can make it
happen. I know it doesn't sound encouraging or easy, it is not easy, but
the fight is worth it. Take care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
December 22, 2007
I had to lose 40 pounds and did really well having 3-4 protein shakes a day
and low/no carbs (Atkins/So. Beach). It took me about 8 weeks but didn't
feel deprived because of the shakes -- the last 12 pounds came off during
the 2 weeks prior to surgery on clear liquids/protein shakes diet. I was
not perfect, but was motivated as I didn't want to delay the surgery. Good
luck -- just do your best every day! Robin
— Robin G.
December 25, 2007
Thats nuts! You do need to eat well and lose some weight to prepare your
body, namely your liver, ready for surgery, but I have never heard of any
one having to lose 60 pounds. Good luck. Pat
— pjennjr
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