Pre-Op Success and Disappointments

Although I read this forum faithfully each day, I haven't been posting much lately.  I'm still in the pre-op phase with no surgery date in sight.  I'm waiting for the April calendar to be available from the surgeon's office and have been promised an early date in the month.  I don't know why but just having that date will mean a lot.  There is so much waiting in this process, you would think I'd be used to it by now.  It's wearing on me though.  I'd feel better just knowing, you know?  Sigh.....  

The happy news?  As of this morning, I'm officially down 50 lbs pre-op!  I'm so proud and happy with that number for sure!  I started with my 3 months of supervised weight loss on 10/1.  It's taken me a little over 5 months to lose that weight, but I'm averaging over 2 lbs a week even on my own.  I'm SO happy with the loss.  Granted, this is probably the 4th time I've lost this 50 lbs, but this is the final time.  

Anyway, I just wanted to give an update on where things stand with me.  Today I have my final pre-op appointment with the surgeon's office and the rest of the time will be weekly weigh-ins until my surgery date.  Here's hoping I get that date locked in soon!!

JC

Awesome job. Thanks for the update as I am pre-surgery as well. I was given a date of 3/16/15. so we will see.

Oh your date is so close!  I'm happy for you!  Good luck!

You are doing awesome on your own.  You are going to rock after surgery because you will have the tool to help you fight the regain. Your comment resonated with me about the 4th time you have lost 50 pounds.  That is exactly why I had this surgery.  This is the FINAL time.

Good luck with securing an early April date.  You will look awesome this summer!

Thank you Susan88!  I really feel like I'm setting myself up to avoid the regain this time - something I've failed to do in the past.  Here's hoping I get a date soon and appreciate the comment about summer!  I'm hoping!

Congratulations and may I ask what your preop diet is???? My doctor wanted me to eat beans and vegetables basically chicken once a month which I couldn't do.  I changed to Atkins let's see if that works I'm only three weeks into it. Thanks 

Hi SpikyP L,

My surgeon's office requires 4 weeks of Optifast as their official pre-op diet.  The dietitian and MD agreed to allow me to stay on food vs. the liquid though since I'm "a lightweight" according to them and because they have monitored me since October and have watched me successfully lose weight.  Initially they told me to keep on a 1,200 low carb diet (same plan I've been on since October).  HOWEVER, they also gave me a stretch goal to lose another 15 lbs before surgery.  As a side note, they give this goal to everyone.  They say it shows them your compliance and dedication to the program.  Well, they have been monitoring my compliance so they told me they don't expect, given how much I've lost already, that I'll be able to hit 15 lbs lost before surgery, but wanted me to do my best.  So having said that, I asked the dietitian if I could do something to shake up my current 1,200 calorie diet.  She suggested I drop to 1,000 calories and replace one meal with a protein shake (which I was doing even on the 1,200 plan) so I've adjusted pretty easily.  I've been on the 1,000 calorie plan for 2 full weeks and have been doing well so far.  Hope that helps!

You say low carb, how many carbs per day have you been eating????

I'm keeping my carbs under 30 net carbs daily.

You're doing great, JC!  Your pre-op success is setting the stage for a fast trip to maintenance mode