A warning to those awaiting surgery

Do NOT gain any weight between now and your surgery. I was down 15 lbs this year and gained 5 in the past week and now my surgery has been postponed - most likely 'til at least the end of July. I am so disappointed - and mostly in myself for misunderstanding this important part of the "agreement". I thought we only had to lose weight in the 3 weeks pre-op not before then and I had a week of "last suppers". Because of this, the doc has decided it is too dangerous to do the surgery now and I have been postponed. The June appts are gone -- so if you are a June person, be very sure you don't gain weight. I would hate to see this happen to someone else. It's a hard pill to swallow and I can't believe I misunderstood being the intelligent woman I claim to be. Nothing I can do about it now but warn others. Don't make the same mistake I did. Our wait is long enough.

Oh Krista, I am so sorry that happened. I'm surprised they weren't more clear on the "rules". They stressed to me very clearly that if there was any weight gain, even a pound, there would be no surgery. But look on the bright side, you still have time to lose even more weight before your surgery, which is an awesome way to start. One little piece of advice that I will give you though. The mindset that you are having your "lasts" of things is dangerous. It makes you think that you can never have the things you love again and that simply is not true. You can still eventually have the things you love in a healthy way and in moderation. I have turned some of my favorite recipies into low fat delights. That is the key. I know it doesn't help to hear that right now because you are so upset, but like I said earlier, just use this time as an opportunity to prove to yourself that you are in this to win and to lose as much as you can before your new surgery date. I know you can do it!!! If you need any help at all, email me at any time. I would be more than happy to help you out. We need all the support we can get, especially when we are down. Hugggz- hoping you are feeling better about things soon! Angela

Angela, thank you so much for the kind words of advice AND for understanding how I feel. I know you are right, of course, it just is hard right now. I'll move on in a healthy way They were clear about gaining weight but I misunderstood - I thought (1) the loss had to be in the pre-op diet weeks or it was off. Seems stupid now to me which is part of what "smarts". I'm a smart person normally but boy do I feel like an idiot.

Oh Krista I am so sorry to hear that! What a huge let down. You poor thing! Can you clarify for me when you need to start and continue losing the weight..from the original consult or from the info session? ( I know I am going to have a terrible time with that)They should have made sure you FULLY understood the agreement. It seems so unfair since you were still down 10lbs. It is kind of frustrating because if we could lose weight and not gain it back none of us would be having this surgery! It is very kind of you to take your pain and share it with all of us as a warning. I wish you all the best and just remember you are almost there! Keep smiling! Krista

Hi Krista (great name!) I had gained 5 lbs from the time I signed my consent form in April (April 13) to the date of the pre-op appointment on May 8. From the time of the full day session 'til April 13, I was down about 10 lbs. That 5 lb gain in such a short period of time would have caused the liver to "swell" is my understanding from the nurse.

Hi Kriista! Thank you for the info. It really helps when people pass on important information like this, then others will also learn from it. I still think it is rediculous, my Dr told me that she does not agree with that policy as many people can fluctuate anywhere 3-5 lbs in one day. (especially those of us with lots of extra weight) I feel the frustration for you! I hope you will get in quickly. Do they not even take into consideration all the plans that you would have already made in order to have your surgery?? Let me know how you make out! Best of luck! Krista

Krista and Patti That would be soooooo disappointing.....I can imagine being all ready and having something like that happen!!!!I am terrified that I will be in the same boat...I have lost 13 pounds since I signed in April and am walking my butt off (I wish).....I haven't received a call yet but hope soon.. Chin up.....I am sure they will be calling you again soon Darlene

Congrats on your loss Darlene. Good for you! Hope you get your call soon!

That is very disappointing! Sorry to hear about that. But they said only have to wait likely until July, so that isn't too far off I am terrified also that I won't be able to keep weight off and lose some before. I have been bad lately so i have to get my butt in gear!!! It is a hard thing to do to lose weight and keep it off....especially since the wait is so long. It is over a year since my first consult....so hard to keep weight off and lose some for a whole year...especially since this is why we are having surgery. I think maybe...they should reconsider the deals. I mean I realize we have to lose some and do the 1200 cal diet to make the liver smaller. Of course for safety reasons. But honestly....if I was able to lose weight and keep it off for a whole year or more...why am I having surgery. So I get the point, and I know the deal we have to keep up to have the surgery...and of course most people don't have a year or more wait (the time from your first appointment until surgery) I did everything backwards so I took longer. That was the deal they told me. From the time I first got weighed...April 27th 2006, I have to be the same or less or no surgery. Is that what they tell everyone else? So for a year I have been struggling to keep weight off and stay the same...bad thing is...just before I went to see the surgeon and got weighed...I was on weigh****chers and lost 50lbs....and you know that comes back EASY! So it has been stressful that is for sure. I still have a bit to lose, and I am not too far off from surgery...no date yet but I should be up in the next couple of months. Last time I checked I was 12 on the list for a date. So Krista, I am right there with ya, I know how you feel! But chin up, we will have to lose some weight together somehow!

Hi Lori - good for you for managing to lose and keep it off. No, I don't remember being told that I have to weigh the same or less (I gained 5 lbs from the time I signed my consent form until the time I was there for the pre-op 3 week check in) At the time I signed the consent form, I did not have an appointment date. I had lost 15 lbs since January but was back up 5. I know they are doing it for safety reasons and not to punish me but I still am so disappointed - mostly in myself for making this mistake. I honestly (as odd as that may sound to people) did not know that my "last suppers" were going to cause surgery to be postponed. Are you having bypass? Hope you get your date soon. Wishing you well in this loooooooooooooooooong journey.