PLEASE HELP

Anyone who had Dr. pupkova do their surgery please help me on something.  I have asked this before but I am getting nervous- surgery is in 23 days!!!!!!  I haven't lost the 10 pounds I was supposed to lose(I quit smoking a few months ago and CANNOT get it off!!!!)  I have PATS on the 16th.  Has anyone had this problem and what did Dr. Pupkova make you do?  Will they make me reschedule my surgery?  OMG please help!!

I don't personally know about Dr. P. But generally speaking, many surgeons will postpone due to that. What are you eating? Are you tracking calories or water? Have you adjusted your eating habits at all yet?

Also, are you walking or exercising?

All these things need to be part of your priority now so you have an easier time post surgery. Your life drastically changes post surgery so adjusting your eating habits and exercise before surgery assists in losing weight before surgery and getting your body healthier for recovery.

Hopefully someone has a more specific answer about Dr. P's policy.

She will probably put you on a liquid diet to get it off you and hold up surgery till then.

I didn't have Dr P but I did have bypass surgery aug 10, and I was told by my  doc that if I hadn't lost some weight before surgery, that it would be postponed. Are you doing the shakes only?  I was on a total liquid diet with the acception of a cup of salad a day with vinegarette dressing.  I lost 18lbs.  I would find out what your eating and stop eating it!

Jill,

OK - deep breath.  Yes, I had Dr. P.  She has a strict dietary regimen that she will ask you to follow between PATS and surgery that mimics what you'll be eating when you're back on full meals post-surg.  High protein, low fat, low carbs.  No sugar, no fruit juice, no refined flours, etc.

Keep a food and drink log between now and PATS (I'll bet that helps, right there).  Be HONEST with yourself about portions as well as what you're eating.  If you haven't yet, buy a food scale and make it your friend.  If a portion says 3 oz of chicken, weigh out 3 oz of chicken.  If a recipe says 1 cup of broccoli, measure out a cup.  You'll need to be getting used to measuring things post-surg, so now's a great time to get in the habit.

Walking is one great way to exercise, but you have to push yourself to walk as fast as you can and as far as you can, each time you go out - not just a really light stroll - you should be working on getting your heart rate up and feeling like you're moving. 

Your goal is to try and lose as much as possible before the surgery, which will make the surgery safer and your recovery quicker and easier.  If you're doing all of the above, and sharing your food log with the nutritionist at PATS, things will go pretty well.  They will give you Dr. P's pre-surg dietary plan.  Depending on where you're starting from, they may tell you that if you haven't lost X weight by the day of surgery (according to THEIR scale) the surgery will be postponed.  If you've GAINED weight between the last consult and PATS, they may postpone the surg at PATS or may tell you that you have to have it and the remaining weight off by surg.  Hard to say.

The point here is ... DON'T panic (panic induces anxiety, which can trigger out of control eating).  Make yourself a plan.  Stick to the plan.  Document that you're sticking to the plan.  Do that and you'll be fine - the weight WILL come off.

Hope this helps!
Karen

I had Dr Pupkova but was not told to lose any weight prior to surgery as I had lost 30lbs between consult and surgery date. I know that a lot of others had to go on a 10 day liquid diet if they have not lost their excess weight by the surgery day. Hope this helps but call the office and her staff will be more than happy to help you. Good Luck with the upcoming surgery and you are in good hands with Dr. Pupkova.

I has Dr. Pupkova and yes she can cancel surgery but you have 23 days to get towards that goal...Start now and and do 2 meals of protien shakes then a healthy dinner. Drink lots of water and as surgery approaches you can go on a full liquid diet.

The weight loss is for your best interest it helps shrink the liver and makes it easier for Dr. Pupkova to do her magic inside...

You have time and you can do this! Besy of Luck! 

I agree with the others---don't panic.  I hadn't lost anything between consult and PATS and worried that I would be cancelled too.  I had about 2 weeks between PATS and surgery, and I cut out junk food, bread, pizza, pasta and rice, and made sure I started walking.  And I lost almost 10 lbs in that time.  I know it's really hard to combat weight when you quit smoking (I quit 11 years ago and know what that battle was like.)  Be sure you're not substituting food for cigarettes.  Have some water or Crystal Light, or something like that, when you feel the urge to smoke or snack.  You can do it!!!  Good luck!!!

Julia

Everyone else has summed it up.....

I would definately get on a liquid diet....I think Beth is right on target with one healthy dinner (lean protein such as chicken, turkey, or 93% or higher lean beef and veggie ONLY...no carbs) and the rest full liquids.

Whi*****lude:

NSA ice pops
NSA pudding pops
Crystal lite
SF kool aid
SF/FF pudding
SF jello
Reduced fat milk
Chicken/Beef/Veggie broth/stock (careful with this - can contain a LOT of sodium which will cause water retention)

Lots and lots and LOTS of water - more than 64 ounces if you can.

It's not easy - I did it before surgery as well - I had not originally been told to lose weight, but in between consult and PATS I had gained weight and I was told at PATs (with Dr. P) that if I hadn't lost the weight I gained, she would post pone my surgery.  No thank you!

SF gum and mints help.

Oh - and get moving as best you can.  Walk...swim...whatever it takes to move and groove more than what you are now!

Pam

2 words, liquid diet. It's what I did 2 weeks pre op and lost 11lbs.

You have to try harder, you can loose the weight.