Introduction & Ranting

Hi everyone, I just wanted to start somewhere and this seemed like as good a place as any.  I will update my profile with my story and some posts every once in a while, but this entire process is happening so quickly for me.   Even though I have thought about WLS for a couple of years now, I finally took the step last week to meet with a Dr.  after I found out that my new insurance covers 90%! Well, last Tuesday was my "informational seminar" and I walked out of there 5 hours later with a date!   It was exciting and scary all at once, but because it happened so fast, I kept thinking that something would go wrong and stall the process, like insurance woes. But yesterday, just 6 days after the consult, my insurance approved the surgery! Now, it;'****ting me. OK, so problem number 2:  I have to lose 35 lbs before the surgery and I have no clue how I'm gonna do it.  I bought a scale yesterday (first time ever) and brought it home to begin recording my progress.  Well first of all, I had to buy 2 scales: one electronic one that only goes to 400 lbs. and one cheap one till I can use the other.  ( i weighed in at my all time high last Tuesday of 416). So, I jump on the scale and it reads 440.  Now ever since the consult, I haven't been 100% strict, but I have been making consious healthier choices for the last week.  There is no way I gained 24 lbs!  But that must mean that the scale is off- so how am I supposed to track progress this way?  I already spent $50 on those two scales, I don't want to have to spend another $50 on a different one! Ok, so I know I am all over the place, but like I said, my emotions are ALL OVER tha place right now.  I want to tell everyone & then I don't want to tell people (just in case).  Please tell me this is all normal and I will be OK... Also, I would love to find a support group in the Dallas area.  Otherwise, I think I need a therapist to listen to my ramblings.

Hey there! I would guess that you have not gained 24 pounds either. The time of day could be a factor.. if you tend to have leg swelling at all, that can get worse later in the day and easily cause 10-15 pounds difference (been there).   If you don't have issues with swelling, it could just be a difference in scales.. the type of floor you have yours on (hard versus carpet, etc), and a lot of other factors. I would suggest calling your doctor's office or surgeon's office and asking if you can stop in and get a weight on their scales.. then you can run right home and weigh there to see the difference.  What type of surgery are you having? Have you been researching things for awhile? Did you meet your surgeon and bring a list of questions? I am personally a little shocked that you were scheduled for surgery the day of your information session.. that is SO quick. Have you considered all the types of surgery and feel comfortable with the type you have chosen?  Good luck finding a support group!

Thanks for your answer- and suggestions. If my Dr's office wasn't 45 minutes away, I'd do that, but maybe I can use the scale at our local gym instead. My RNY is scheduled for June 11, 2008. I am just beginning this losing journey- it helps to read so many success stories on here. Good luck with your surgery as well. Do you have a date scheduled yet?

Welcome!  I had to lose 10% of my weight prior to surgery.  My doctor put me on a modified Optifast plan and I lost 123 lbs before surgery. You could do a liquid diet with any kind of protein shake (the EAS protein ones are good, and already mixed, they are available at Walmart).  It's also a good way to get into a different mindset regarding food before you have surgery. One concern I have is that you went for a consult and already have a surgery date?  Have you been getting any kind of nutritional counseling?  Why isn't the WLS surgeon recommending a pre-op program to lose weight? Like Dunny said, if this surgery date feels "too soon," there's no shame in asking for a date later in the summer.  It's better to go into this as prepared as possible, because it changes your life in so many ways even when you are prepared.  If you're not prepared, I imagine it could be really tough emotionally. Take care! Kix

Welcom to BMI over 50,  My surgeon scheduled my date prior to any of my preop stuff as well . everything was scheduled at one time and I knew how long I had to lose my 10%. I also did liquid for most meals a 3 ozs of lean meat and veggies at night I lost 44 lbs in 10 weeks., but I lost 16 in the first 10 days , I used medifast.  As far as the scale goes maybe you could go to your reg docs to weigh in? I know I did that because my surgeon was also far from me.  My home scale wouldn't weigh me corectly untill I was under 300, I just recently got a new digital scale that weighs up to 350.    Good Luck  Estelle

Practical me here.  Find a way to get weighed.  Take the deffective scale back to the store and weigh on others until you find one that matches the correct weight and buy that one. This ride is going to have lots of ups and downs.  Enlist all the help you can get now.  A therapist, a nutritionist and a support group are all part of the process.  Also, expect there to be glitches.  Try to take them in stride.   Try to think positive and feel that the world wants you to be a success.  It is a ton of fun too.  There are many joyous and exciting times along the way.  I wish you all good things.  Loris

Hello and welcome. You are getting great advice on how to lose pre-op. Maybe you could weigh in at the local hospital where you live and take one if the scales bac****il you are under 400. Good luck.

Congrats on getting your approval so quickly!!!   I think everyone gave you some great advice!  I am a newbie here as well. Which surgery are you looking at?  The office I am working with will have me on a liquid diet 2-6 weeks prior to surgery to help with the requireed weight loss.   I would inquire with your office about that possibility!

Your doc scale could read lower, mine does - 5-10lbs and that's with clothes.  I'd just start from whichever scale you prefer and then try to lose 40lbs from that weight OR I'd ask to use the docs scale once a week.  Many of my surgeon's patients go by his office on their own and just hop on the scale.  As for losing the weight - I lost 40 lbs preop with 2-3 protein shakes and a small dinner of 3oz lean meat (chicken, turkey, fish) and as much vegetable as I wanted (no butter, dressing, oil, etc.)  I used Atkins advantage shakes because they were available at the grocery store and tasted ok to me, but any kind of shake would do as long as it was low in sugar.  Another option is medifast/optifast supplements, which are very effective but pricey if your insurance doesn't cover them.  You can do this!  But remember, its a big decision and a big life change.  If your surgery is coming up faster than makes you comfortable, tell them you'd prefer a later surgery date so you can get yourself in the right place mentally.  I'm sure its not uncommon.  Congratulations on getting your surgery approved and welcome to the BMI over 50 board. \ All the best, Jenn