Pinch me PLEASE!!! Need advice too..

Hi gang!!  Thank you so much for your encouraging words about insurance.   I just spoke with the nice lady at MedCost and she said that I had been certified!!   WOO HOO!!!   So, next steps are for Duke to get the actual certification letter in their hand and then they will call me with a date.     I don't believe it is actually real yet.   OH MY!!!!  How exciting!  It sounds like it could possibly be in October.   Here is my issue though...  you are not allowed to gain anymore weight from the weight you were at during your first appt.    That was in May.    I have been on a diet and following up with my doctor.  I have gained 20 lbs. instead of lost!     I may not have been perfect in eating, but, not like this.  I have been following up with my nutritionist everything.    I know some is the constant changing of my hormone medicine and thyroid medicine.  But, they did say that they could cancel your surgery if you gained weight.      Any ideas?    I am already on a diet.   I wonder if I should start a liquid diet now or something to get that weight off.   But, that has been my problem all along.    Thanks for everything!!! Caroline

Caroline, Thanks for your post!  Relax about the weight gain... I am not familiar with Duke's program but I gained 5 lbs and then lost it during the pre-op diet phase.  Mine wasn't medically related either.  Mine was Wendy's drve through.  My point is, the Dr will consider you on a case by case basis and you will loose some of that during your preop diet phase.   And of course, btw..... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!   I am so happy for you!  Sit back, relax and enjoy this journey!! Candice

Thank you so much!!  Hey....I see by your stats that you just had surgery.   Congrats to you!!    I will be following your journey!    Thank you for your support!! Caroline

((((Caroline)))) Congratulations on your approval/certification! I know for quick weight loss (that doesn't last) try the low carb thing.  No breads/pasta/white flour/sugar and drink lots and lots of water. JMHO.  Fasting works also.  But that is a personal choice.  I fast and pray for religious reasons.  Many blessings and prayers are sent your way! Diane

Great ideas!  Thank you so much!   I will definitely be starting that.    Thank you also for the blessings....we all need them and prayer is a powerful thing!! Thank you! Caroline

Caroline -

Congratulations on your approval! I used DukeWLS as well. Contact them about your concerns re: weight gain/loss. They'll be happy to guide you. They are going to want you to be strong and healthy for surgery, so be sure to ask them the best way to proceed.

Feel free to PM if you have any questions. I'm always happy to talk with you.

Are you planning to go the DukeWLS Support Group meeting that they are having next Tuesday? If so, I'd love to say hello in person.

Again congratulations. You truly are on your way.

All the best,

Barb

Caroline, Congrats on your approval!!  Ask you Dr. about putting you on a liquid diet.  One thing that really helped keep me motivated after approval was I kept telling myself "this is the last time I will ever have to lose this pound!"  Knowing it will stay off is such a wonderful feeling! Best of luck to you! Lori

duke never said a word about my weight gain. lose what you can between now and surgery, so you'll be as healthy as you can be, but don't worry about it too much.

Caroline, Congratulations on the approval!  As for the weight, don't stress too much about it.  But why don't you start practicing what you're going to be doing after WLS?  I had my surgery 5 years ago (today) and in the past 2 years have gained about 20lbs, well I went back to the basics and I've already taken off 2lbs this week.  I figure since you're going to have WLS you may as well get into practice what you've been learning.  I've also had to get my behind walking again and I'm sure that has helped a lot since I have a job where I sit for 12 hours behind a computer.   Anyway, best of luck!  Keep us posted!!!