Distressed, discouraged, and not sure what to do anymore-kind of long post

Okay, so I had begged my family doctor for a referral for  WLS for over 3 years now.  She made me try Dr. Bernstein, which I tried 2x.  Both times I lost weight (about 40-45lbs), then stopped losing, had my hair fall out,had low potassium, and was accused of cheating etc.  May of last year was when I stopped for the second time.

My bmi at this time was around 35 and with my high blood pressure gone, I dont think I would have qualified for WLS.

When I finally  convinced my doctor to refer me, (Feb 2013), my bmi was hovering around the 40 mark. Normally I am really careful with what I eat.  I tend to put weight on very easily and quickly.  Long story short, years ago I fractured my back in 3 places and had unsuccessful surgery. I also  have degenerative disc disease and osteo arthritis...I am turning 47 in July.  I used to be very active/athletic and now the only excercise I can really do is swimming (which requires the horrendous task of putting on the ever dreaded (gulp) bathing suit. But I do try and stay as active as I can within my limitations.

Now for my delemma...While trying to maintain my 'fighting ' weight (bmi around 40), somehow it has gotten a little out of control, and I am now around 43bmi  - my clothes are fitting tighter and tighter, ( I gave all my bigger clothes away when I lost weight last year!)..and  I am very uncomfortable in my own skin...this has discouraged me to no end.

I am going through Guelph, and my initial set of appointments isn't until July.  So I don't get weighed in until then.  At orientation they told us they want us to follow Canada's Food Guide whilst going through the program.  My concern is that the food guide requires 6-7 servings of grain products a day, and only 2 meat and alternatives.  I am worried about eating carbs.

Can anyone out there tell me/ advise me on what they did or what they think I should do.

Looking for any help I can get.....as I am totally distressed and discouraged.

Thanks, and sorry this was so long,

Vicky

 

 

 

You need to breathe and realize that youre in the right place now.

If you don't want to follow the Food Guide, want to do a more high protein, low carb, then do that. The most important thing (in my opinion) is to make sure you track your eating. Try something like my fitness pal. Explain your rationale (that you wanted to simulate a post surgery diet).

Best of luck. This will happen for you.  You're awesome.

Thank you Monica M. 

As I have told you before, you are one of my inspirations on this forum, and I truly value the advice you give others, and now me.

Thank you for that.

I am so glad that I posted.  I normally would have just suffered in silence..

Cheers!!

That's the biggest change I've made, this time around , looking to others for help

I will add to Mon....if you are right at bmi 40 you don't want to drop below that... meaning unless you have comorbidities your bmi has to be 40 or higher to qualify.... so watch what you are eating...there is nothing wrong with eating a higher protein lower carb diet.... but if no comorbidities...don't drop below bmi of 40.

You are OK... you are on the right path!  YOu will get there.  hugs...

 

Juls

Thanks Juls..

My bmi is now 42...and I will make darn sure it doesnt go under 40.  Not after all this time.

As I said to Monica M - I am also glad that you responded, as I have followed your posts and responses since I joined.

I find you often have great insight and compassion.

Thanks again,

Vicky

Hi I am meeting with my surgeon tomorrow to find out my date. Watch what you are eating til you have your initial apps. No need to lose before, but after meeting with them do EVERYTHING they ask! I was assigned small goals by my dietician to reach for and it helped that I did them as they could see I was really wanting this. Also read all the info they gave you at the general meeting as its important for them to see you are eager and willing for this. Chin up you are on your way!

Thank you for your advice!

Good luck meeting with the surgeon!

 

First off, I love your Bernese!! Now that I've got that out of the way, I'm also going through Guelph, though a few steps behind. My orientation meeting is May 16th. I don't know if what I've been doing is right or wrong, but since I know this is going to be hard, I started making changes back in January, based on what I was reading on here. I cut out Diet Coke (the only thing I to drink other than water), I've cut out carbs and I've started experimenting with things like what flavours of yogurt I like best and recipes for post-op. At this point, if they asked me to eat carbs again, I'd have to politely decline. That was a hard one to give up. Lol I'm hoping that they'll take my work as what it is, which is my committment to doing this right and I can't see them asking us to backtrack. :)

That's Mattie (my bernese)

Thank you for your response.  Good for you for cutting out the diet coke.  I am not a big pop drinker, but I love my coffee...trying to cut down to just one normal in the morning and decaf the rest of the day. Yikes, I guess we really dont need the withdrawal headache to go along with everything else.

Good luck with your orientation!

Vicky