GOT A DATE BUT WORRIED, WORRIED, WORRIED!

hi everyone, i have a date, yeah 12-30-2004. but i am so worried, they put me on a excercise plan and told me to practice watching what i eat. well i'm having probs with the work outs cuz of bad knees back etc.... and i'm afraid when i go in for surgery that i won't have any weight gone, and they may cancel my surgery, oh my what's a girl to do? any suggestions anywhere, anyone, please advise, thanks. angela

Hi Angela, First, please let me apologize that this is going to be a little long. But, for losing weight, ....Not to worry! This CAN be done, and I know you can do it! Your problem sort of mirrors my own, as I have arthritic knees and am unable to get out and walk to exercise like I used to love to do years ago. My surgery was previously scheduled for the 16th of November, and back on the 5th of November I had a consulation with my surgeon just to have some questions answered. At that time, he weighed me and told me I had to lose at least ten pounds prior to surgery (which was then 11 days away) or he would postpone it. I was told that the reason for this is that quick weight loss just before surgery shrinks and softens the liver. Since the aread the surgeons will be working on lies beneath and behind the liver, this gives them more accessibility to the area and also lessens the pain level the patient experiences after the surgery. I had eleven days to lose the ten pounds, and I wondered if I could do it, but I was determined to try, anyway. They told me to stay on a low fat, low carb, high protein diet and to keep it as liquid as possible. I immediately stocked up on tuna fish snack packs (that have packets of reduced calorie mayo, relish, and crackers), chicken and beef broth, and chicken noodle soup, as well as Advant-Edge protein shakes. On November 11th, five days before my scheduled surgery, the doctor's office called and told me they needed to postpone the date due to a scheduling error. The new date is now December 7th. Needless to say, I was devastated after starving all week..but I knew it was for the best, and decided to just continue with the diet and try to lose as much as possible. I am not weighing myself because my scales are "whacked" and I don't trust their accuracy or lack thereof. But, I DO feel somewhat 'lighter' ...and better, actually. I have a little more than a week to go, and starting tomorrow I think I am going to give up the tuna fish, and just stick to the liquids (chicken soup, chicken and beef broths, and protein shakes) to make sure I DO get that ten pounds off and a little more if possible. Sheesh! It comes off SO SLOWLY when you cannot get out and exercise! The age factor plays in there too, I think..and I am 63, so I know my metabolism is not the same as someone younger. I am sorry I am so long-winded, but I did want to encourage you and let you know it can be done. Just be sure that nothing goes into your mouth without your having checked the nutritional labels to ensure there is little or no sugar content, little or no fat content, and few carbs. But, at the same time, try to make sure there is high protein content. Walmart has a good selection of protein products, including some ready-mixed shakes. Work these into your daily diet and drink LOTS and LOTS of water -- at least eight 8 ounce glasses a day. Exercise is good for weight loss, for sure... it makes it drop off faster, and tones up the muscles while doing so. But, for those of us that cannot exercise, losing weight is still possible..just not as fast. Please feel free to email me any time, and maybe we can support and encourage each other. I wish you the best of luck, and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers as your day approaches. God bless you! Pat

This was good info. Thanks, Pat. Cheri

Hi Cheri, Aww..thanks, I am glad it helped in some way. Of course, everyone is different, and has different preferences of trying to lose, and I have never been all that great for hanging in there on a diet...but this time I am desperate. God bless you! Pat