Starting the process...again

A year ago I started the process to do WLS.  At that time it was discovered I had Breast Cancer.  I had two lumpectomies and radiation.  Now a year later I am starting again. Of course I gained 30 pounds since then.  I called and have my first consult appointment Tuesday 10/20.  I have to lose 33 pounds to get down to a BMI of 60.  They will not operate until then.  Right now my BMI is 65.8.  I was wondering did anyone else who happened to have this high of BMI also have to get down to 60 before WLS?  I am fine with it especially if it makes it safer.  I was just wondering. 

They have a nutritionist I will see.  I did start WW 3 weeks ago too.  I am excited and scared at the same time.  But just wanted to post instead of lurking :)

Suzanne

I guess it depends on the doctor you are using. My bmi was much higher than that and i still had my surgery done. Hang in there!

I started out at about 60. My doc didn't require that I lose a substantial amount pre op (8 pounds).  

I do know from experience that WW will work if you do it right. A lot of us big folks have no problems losing weight -- it's keeping it off that's the problem. You'll be surprised how fast you can drop down to 60. And, like anything, the longer you do WW, the easier it gets.

You might want to figure out how many pounds that you need to lose. That's a little easier to wrap your head around.

Good luck!!

I started loosing weight before I saw the surgen for the first time so when he told me he wanted me to loose 50 lbs before he did surgery I was like are you kidding me.  I came to you because loosing weight on my own is not working.  I did it though - I went n the pre-op diet from Novemeber though my surgery date lost like 70lbs.  In retrospect I am so glad I did that because it showed me I have the control in this process and if I can lose weight when my BMI was like 75 then I can do it now.  Each surgeon has there own requirements.  If you are trusting in there abilities and they have sufficient experience then I saw step up and do it as they are trying to ensure this is safe or you at the end of the day.  It is not intended as a punishment (though it may feel like it), it is to ensure that you are safe for the procedure and to give you the best possible outcome.  By loosing weight we shrink the size of our liver which makes the surgery  safer and easier if done laproscopically.  
Good luck and keep in touch as you progress. 

Also-  take measurements before you get started.  I did not do that and so wish I had those starting measurements to compare to today now that I have in effect lost a person.  

Hang in and good luck on your journey!

I was also told I needed to be below 60 for surgery.  Fortunately for me that was only 10 pounds or so.  I ended up losing 41 pre-op by trying to follow a post-op lifestyle.  I started the vitamins and pushing water and protein and even the waiting 30 minutes after eating to drink.  I weaned myself from all the "bad" things (caffeine, starchy carbs, carbonated beverages) over the 9 months for surgery.  I'd waited so long researching the surgery before finally landing a job with health insurance to cover it that I wasn't going to let anything stop me from getting it!

Thanks for the replies.  I have to lose 33 pounds to be at 60.  I have cut back to one diet soda a day.  The rest of the day I drink water.  I need to drop that one soda.  Then that will take out my caffeine.  With WW I try to stick to the filling foods.  When I see the nutritionist I am sure she will be able to give me some more ideas.  My big thing is I need to move more. Since it is cooling down I want to start walking some, and that should boost my weight loss.

Again thanks for the good wishes and ideas.  Thanks for telling me to get my measurements.  I would have not thought about that at all.

Suzanne

Good for you, Suzanne, getting back on the horse!! It's worth it.

My pre-op diet was 3 Lean Cuisines a day--that's what my surgeon recommended!! WW is a really good plan with a focus on healthy eating habits--just what we all need! I definitely fill up on my share of veggies, salads, and lean protein. Post-op will be easier than pre-op, but you can still do it!! Take it one day at a time, reject "All or Nothing" thinking, and move, move, move! Best of luck! 

Yep!  I was in a similar boat.  I had to lose 81 lbs pre op to get to a BMI of 60.  It's do-able.  It is hard but it gets easier when you gt going  :)  Good luck at the NUT and hang in there!  It's so worth it, I am 16 months post op and down nearly 300 lbs total from my highest.

This post wont say anything the previous ones havent already said..just wanted to add my 2 cents worth.

I had to lose 80lbs to have surgery.  A friend of mine didnt have to lose a pound..it all depends on the surgeon and the kind  of WLS you're having.  I had RYN, she had the gastric sleeve.

I started off hating everyone that said I had to lose weight to have WLS.  But I did it..and this is how....1300 calories a day for 2 months..about 4oz's of protein a meal and all the veggies I could eat, except the starchy ones.  Then I dropped the calories to 1000 or under a day..still with 4 oz's of protein per meal and all the veggies it took to fill me up.  I factored in "cheat days" or I wouldnt have made it.  I started moving..going to the pool and walking in the water for an hour..and adding more activity as I could.  It was hard, I went to bed hungry alot of nights, but it came off fast, and thats what kept me going.  It took me from Nov of 08 till July of 09 to lose enough to have surgery.  And I'm so glad I did it.  It proved to me that I have control over food.  It doesnt run my life now.  However, I know without the surgery, I'd put it all back on.
Good luck and congrats on beating breast cancer!!!
April