5% weight loss before surgeon visit

Hi there.

I'm still in the very beginning of my journey. I've gotten all my first labs done, nutritionist visits, psych eval etc done... the only thing left that I have to do is complete my 6 months of Dr supervised weight loss attempts and lose 5% of my starting weight of 403 before I can talk to the surgeon and submit for insurance approval.  I am also working with a "health coach" with my insurance company to keep me on track and motivated - a requirement for insurance approval.
I took the advise of the nutrituionist, focusing on eating smaller meals, with snacks in between, and trying to drink as much water as possible...  That didnt work, infact I even went up to 414 at one point.
I talked to my PCP, and he suggested an atkins type diet, getting my carbs from fruit and stair walking.  During that visit, I was 405.  I tried that for a few weeks and lost about 5 or 6 pounds. I talked to a friend of mine who had a presurgical liquid protein diet of 3 protein shakes, sugar free jello, sugar free breve style coffee in the mornings. I was starving and had a headache by evning time, so I'd have a small wendy's chili or a chicken breast for dinner and a protein shake a couple hours after that, before bed, but not RIGHT before bed.
I did that for a week and lost 12 lbs! It was amazing!  But I'm stuck again.
Does anyone have any advice on what I can do to lose another 10lbs to be able to talk to the surgeon and get this ball rolling?  I'm approaching my 6th month of Dr supervised weight loss attempts and am really anxious to get this going.  I feel like I've had so many failed attempts in the past to get this surgery, I feel that if I dont do this in my quickest time frame, the ball will drop and i wont be able to have it done.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Danielle

It sounds like you are doing well if you only have 10 lbs to go.

My surgeon had me limit my calories to 1200 and stick with lean meats and vegetables while on my 6 month diet.  I also used protein shakes and Atkins protein bars for "snacks". The other thing you want to make sure you are doing is exercise.  Healthy choices and exercise are both key.

Jewel is correct -- 1200 calories - mostly from PROTEIN - lean protein sources.  If you exchange TWO meals for MEAL REPLACEMENT SHAKES - not just Protein Shakes - you will see that 1200 is not that difficult, and you will have ALL nutrients & high protein (think 60 - 80 grams a day MINIMUM).

Are you keeping a food journal?  Bast thing you can do for yourself!  I was introduced to food journals when I was ten -- so I am used to keeping one (yup, fat all my life...)

The first week is always the BIGGEST loss, so if you can get 3 - 4 pounds every week, you are being more realistic in how much you will lose before seeing your surgeon. 

OH!  Are you getting enough WATER - not soda, juice, or other fluids.  It feeds the body & flushes you, too!  I luckily wasn't a big diet soda drinker, so giving up soda wasn't hard for me.  I miss being able to drink carbonated waters, but not by much.  Water is my favorite drink, aside from Low Sodium V8 ;)

You can do this -- it isn't too hard, just get your head into the game!  Stay positive!!!
Brenda : )~

I agree with everyone so far.  Just walking as much as you can every single day with a high protein diet with 1200 calories will get you there.  You are not going to lose 12 or 10 ponds every week so patience and consistency is needed.  You can do it and it is worth it the surgery will change your life if you are willing to work with it. 

       It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life.  Walking into my surgeon office at 380 pounds scared to death and at the end of my rope and My surgeon telling me.  I had to lose Eighty pounds before he could do surgery. He was totally serious.
       I did everything the doctor told me to do exercised hour and half 5 to 6 six times a week.  Ate protein and Vegatables and drunk lots of water. 
    My problem was I can hold lots of water. My feet swell.   I gain twenty pounds of water weight over night.  It can happen when are really big . So everytime I weighed myself.  If would be different. I would lose and gain.   The surgeon and his Staff were no help at all.   They just weigh me and tell me to keep coming back every three months until I was 300 pounds.  I could not get under 350 pounds.
     My Sleep Apea doctor gave the most help of all.  He had Gastric -By-pass himself.  He told to eat 4 almonds 20 minutes before each meal.  It stop you from being hungry.  He also told to stay away artificial sweeters like Sweet and Low in your tea and drinks.  They only make you fatter and make you crave more things. So if your serious only drink water. 
  The next a month I did what he said and lost 18 pounds. My Sleep Apea doctor told me about another  Surgeon .  Who did the surgery a month later. I had lost 40 pounds all together.    That was three weeks ago.
HW 380
SW 340
CW 318 three weeks after surgery.

        Best advice fine a doctor that will work with you. One *****ally wants to help.  But,He can,t do all the work for you.  If you really want to get the weigh off fast.    Liquid diet work but, It is really really hard.  Because have to be on them.  Before and after surgery.




 

 I am in the same spot you are Danielle - Here is what I have been doing the last 3 weeks, when my PA told me "you arent doing enough!"

7am - workout at the gym w/ Personal Trainer (3 days a week with, 2 days without) for 1 hour
Breakfast - Unjury Protein shake
Lunch - Unjury shake or Protein bar
Dinner - meat, salad and veggies

I do still indulge in a sugar free ice pop or sugar free ice cream for snack - But, many nights, I am so full, I dont eat it all. 

I also upped my water intake - I bought a 32 oz water bottle with a straw, and drink 4-5 of those a day... one at the gym alone!! One more at night (at least) and 2 or 3 at work during the day. 

I have also been walking about a mile a night - increasing my exercise has been key in losing the weight... I'm not 100% sure how their scales will reflect my weight loss, but know that I have done everything I could to lose it. I have heel spurs, so walking about kills me, but I am doing it anyhow.. I just come home and soak my feet each night after my walk!! Seems to help. 

Hope we can both get a surgery date soon!! Good luck to you!! 

Thank you to everyone that replied. I have decided that walking alone wasnt going to cut it.  So I am joining a gym and am going to get the next few pounds off that way. 

LittleWitch, I hope we can get a surgery date soon, also!

Good luck to everyone, where ever you are on your journey.  Thanks again!