Just a bit frustrated.

Good morning everyone.  I am scheduled for my RNY next Thursday.  My pre-op is Monday.  Three weeks ago during my last pre-op visit with the surgeon, he brought up the fact that I had gained almost 8 pounds since my previous first visit last December.  I told him I had just retired from work (a couple weeks earlier) and went a little crazy with the parties.  We both agreed that I would lose 20 pounds before surgery.  A week and a half after seeing him I started a liquid diet using meal replacements I had been on before (surgeon's assistant said this was fine).  I had greatly reduced calorie intake after the visit with him and prior to starting the liquid diet and lost @ 5 pounds.  Since I started the liquids (all with a daily intake of 750 calories or less), I've lost another 5 or 6 pounds.  The scale for the past several days is just jumping around - up a pound one day, down a pound the next, and then back up a pound after that.  In any case, I figure my total loss is at worst 10 pounds and at best 12 pounds.  My pre-op appointment is Monday with a weigh-in at the surgeon's office after that.  I am beginning to get concerned that he might cancel me if nothing changes between now and Monday.  After weighing again this morning (scale same as yesterday), I am getting worried, frustrated, and discouraged.  To top it off, I increased my exercise with my water calisthenics and stationary cycling.  I have two bad knees so exercise is difficult.  To top it off, with the increased exercise I really aggravated my right knee where it is painful pretty much all the time.  I am also trying not to take my vicodin this last week as I've been on and off it since my last knee surgery last November.  I know I've probably built up a tolerance to some degree. Geeze, I am sorry for the long post but I was hoping for a smoother ride toward reaching that 20 pound weight loss goal.

Aloha.......I hear your frustration and worry. I don't think you need to be concerned. Most docs just want to make sure you really WANT this surgery, and are willing to make some sacrifices to get it. Our docs made these requests and we worried right up until we got to the hospital that that ONE POUND would get us sent home. They didn't even weigh me at the hospital.

So......just go forward and let you surgeon know that this is the most important thing in your life right now.......and that you are determined to get you life back as a fully functioning, happy, healthy, participating woman!

Good luck to you....and please come back and let us know how it all turns out.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

If you could lose weight easily, you would not need the surgery. Hopefully your doctor is not a idiot. Why are you allowing yourself to be in pain? Meds are for you not to have to suffer, I hope you are not punishing yourself. You seem to be such a nice lady. If it is not an insurance requirement for you to lose 20 pounds, I do not think your doctor should back out of the surgery, and I would bring this up to him...smile. I hope all goes well, I live in pain, but I try to keep myself as comfortable as possible. I use a walker too. I am sending you some heart felt good vibes. Please keep us posted. Take care.

Thank you both for responding.  I know it's probably an unwarranted fear but, I want this to proceed so badly that my nerves are a bit on edge.  If I really think about it, I don't he will cancel either.  I just can't understand this stall so early on and for so long.  Usually the first 20 pounds have been pretty easy to get off but then not usually in 3 weeks.  As far as the pain, I am concerned about pain relief after surgery.  If I've built up a tolerance, I worry that my pain relief after surgery might be more difficult.  So for now, trying non-medcininal measures which help a little bit.  I do appreciate your good wishes. ~~~ Pam

Hi .......I have to agree with Linda and Karen here. As long as you are trying your best I doubt the surgery will be canceled. Just keep doing your best. Your doctor can see you are trying. That is all he is really interested in. If it were a requirement by insurance that would be a different situation. Please try not to worry. Everything will be just fine. Treat your pain as needed. You need to be in the best possible condition for this surgery. You get some pretty heavy drugs at the hospital. Believe me....I was on Vicodin all the time. Now I hardly even need a Tylenol anymore. Hugs, connie d

   Again, thanks to everyone *****sponded and helped me pass through my frustration.  I will put this issue to rest as the scale finally moved this morning with a 2 pound change.  I may not make the 20 pounds but feeling okay with the success I have had. ~~~ Pam