Losing Weight While Waiting

Hi, all.

I'm curious about losing weight while I'm doing my appointments leading up to meeting with the surgeon.  So far, I've only been to orientation, but due to different diets I've tried, my weight fluctuates a lot. 

Right now, my BMI is 42.  But I might have to wait up to a year for surgery.  By then, it's possible my BMI could be under 40, maybe even under 35, which is the cut off for bariatric surgery even with co-morbidities (I have one co-morbidity and was referred when my BMI was 36).  

I'm afraid that my weight will drop at some point during the process and they'll tell me I can't have the surgery... and then I'll just gain it all back again, like has happened countless times before.  Is that something anyone here has had to deal with?

Thanks a lot.

The other posters comment seems a little harsh. Making changes now in how you eat will be great for after your surgery. A really important thing to look at is why the other diets failed an try to start figuring out why you eat. Do you eat from boredom or stress. Two of my biggest reasons.

You would probably have to lose a lot of weight to get down to where you do not qualify.

Hello & welcome :)

I can only speak of my own experience - and say that I am using the time since my orientation to inform myself, read the posts on here regularly, and start putting post-op habits into practice now.  I'm more mindful of what I eat and just as important - WHY am I eating.  I keep a journal of what & when I'm eating, and what I am feeling.  Just continuing to work toward a healthier lifestyle.  If I happen to have lost some weight when I do eventually get to meet the surgeon - great.  All I can do is worry about what I am in control of now, and try not and worry, and overthink about what hasn't happened yet. 

Good luck, be patient & stay positive.

Hello,

I am in a similar situation in that my BMI is 42.4 so I just qualify as I have no co-morbidities. I asked this exact question at my information session at HRRH.  I was told by the nutritionist running our session  that not only is it ok but it is highly encouraged to try and make changes and lose weight now while we wait. She said that as long as we qualified with our BMI on our referral we will still qualify of our BMI is lower at surgery date. Hope that helps.

At the orientation I was at we were encouraged to lose and told that even if you dropped below the BMI that allows WLS they would go by the weight that was reported when you were referred. I was referred at 340 and when I saw the NP last week I was at 320, that's 6 months after referral, not the greatest weight loss but it's something and even though I know I won't get below the required BMI if I did I would still be able to have surgery.

I agree with what both Pat & Helna wrote.  From the time of Orientation and Appointments, rather than focusing on weight loss, I've taken the time to educate myself and change habits.

I stopped drinking soda and coffee, started to really chew my food and eat slower (this one was more difficult than I thought it'd be), and get up to drinking 64oz of water daily. I also started walking and moving around more.

The info from other posters indicates that you need not worry about your BMI. You qualified when you were referred so now you can focus on preparing yourself over the next year for success.

Take care.

My understanding is that they go by your weight when you have your first appointment at your centre. I asked when I saw the nurse and she said not to worry about losing weight. They want you to be as healthy as you can be for your surgery.

I am 5 week post-op. I have lost 50lbs  (35% excess weight) during the 2 years that I have waited. They did not weight me again after the initial evaluation until my admission appointment. My original weight when I met with the RN was the only weight on the file. My original BMI was 46, surgery BMI 38. I am glad I did make the life changes earlier for a few reasons:

1) it is easier after the surgery because you already have good habits and are comfortable doing it, example journaling food (My fitness Pal), no caffeine, no pop, no carb/sugar addictions, find an exercise that you like

2) I was very fit, with good muscle tone at the time of my surgery that decrease my risks and  made recovery very quick.

3) I have good muscle tone going into severe weight loss and I keep on working to maintain it. Muscles do look better, is healthier and helps me move easier.

3) I have less weight to loose after the surgery (90lb not 140lb)

4) It confirmed to me that I need to have the surgery. I have tried my 100% best and I have lost 50lb in 2 years, with 90lb to go. When I went into the surgery, I was very content with my decision with no doubts in my mind.

The last 2 years was not wasted waiting, it was the beginning of my journey.

Good luck with your journey

Sounds like you are alright in Canada to get below required BMI.  I am in US and would have been denied if I dropped below the requirements.  I still ate much better and healthier but was careful  not to lose any weight.