Worried

Well, I went to see my surgeon last night, carrying the results from all those exams I took last week. Here I was hoping for an A+, but it seems I barely make a C lol
Doc believes that we will have the op before month's end, HOWEVER, he told me that he won't release me after 2-3 days like most patients. He wants to observe me for at least 10 days post-op, maybe 20! I have mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, it's a relief because I will get lots of help to cope with my new life. On the other hand, I wonder if the operation is not quite as safe as they boast.
The second thing that worried me was his response when hubby asked him how much weight he thinks I can lose - he said 20 kilos! That's a complete turnaround from what he had told me initially, that is, that I will lose 50% of my excess weight in the first 6 months.
He did justify this by pointing out that I have been in a wheelchair for 10 years so I won't be able to move as much as I should post-op in order to lose the weight and I do see his point but I'm not going to cut my guts for a mere 20 kilos!
I suddenly feel like I'm at square 1 again. I want to lose the weight so badly and I don't want to be disappointed again.

Hugs Amalia,  Don't fret, your MD doesn't want to set you up for disappointment after surgery.  The loss really depends on one's mental attitude.  Set yourself up in your mind to be a winner.  You may not be able to walk for exercise after surgery, do what you can within the limits of your MS.  You will have the tool of the smaller pouch.  Check with a physical therapist on what activities will be best for you after surgery. 

Make up your mind that you will be a success, do what you can, one day at a time.  I am glad that your MD wants you to be in the best health before he discharges you from the hospital.  Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.  Hugs, Kathy

I do suspect that doc was trying to scare me a bit, testing my resolve so to speak, painting the worst possible scenario picture for me, or is that just wistful thinking? I don't know and I'm confused. It worked on hubby, at any rate. All the way home he was telling me not to go ahead with the operation :(

amalia, i am glad your doc wants to take special care of you.  like kathy said, you can do exercises that don't involve your legs. however, you need to be prepared that you might not lose all you want to.  you might and then you might not.  how much is 20 kilos? shows my ignorance.  i haven't done a bunch of exercises because i couldn't due to hernia and then a wound and i have lost a total of 152 pounds since nov of 08. this includes my presurgery diet. good luck to you and please cheer up. vick

Thank you Vickie. I'm sorry about your hernia, but I'm glad to see that there is another person who managed to lose alot of weight without much exercise. 20 kilos is 44 lbs by the way, sorry, I forgot to convert. It's not bad, but it's not even 1/3 of what I need to lose! Perhaps he said it to make sure I understand the importance of exercising in weight loss, but I wonder...

look at it as a blessing, it seems like your doc cares, and it's not like you paying out of pocket and he trying to milk your money.  I say, take that time to relax and get use to the idea of your new life and just take it easy.  It's better to have a doc who wants to watch you as opposed to one who would let you go before he felt ready.

Good luck

Hi shawn. Actually, my insurance will cover only 50% of the cost of the operation and I will have to pay the extra days out of pocket but no, I don't believe he is trying to "milk" me, he is doing it out of concern, since I am probably his first patient with Chronic Progressive MS. I do appreciate the extra attention and I'm determined to be one of his success stories, it just threw me for a loop that he was so negative so suddenly.

Ok so from what I found 20 kilo's is about 44 lbs. NOT a bad start my dear Amalia! Are you having the band or another procedure? I think maybe I recall the sleeve procedure?

I am with the others here in that your doctor is just taking the best intrest of you seriously, by keeping you longer. He probably feels that with your additional challenges that most of us do not face (MS) he wants to be sure you are totally a-ok before he sends you off.

The 20 kilo's.. He is the doc. BUT I have to say he is really preparing you for the worst case scenerio as far as loss goes. Even without exercise, most will lose more, and I am certain there will be many modified activities you can do right from your chair, and maybe even some steps here and there. I like the idea of you checking on physical therapy after you heal up. I bet your insurance may even cover it, but can't know this for sure. Don't let this all discourage you! I'll bet in 6 month to a year you'll be like "ha I showed you doc!"

Given how badly you want to lose this weight, and that you do not want to be disappointed again, I'll have to say you are going to put your all into this and I know you'll do great! Do as Kathy suggested and go into this with positive thoughts and vives. Feel certain you are going to succeed with this, and do all within your power to do so. Betcha lose more than 20 kilo's!

Keep your chin up and KNOW you are going to be doing so much better in a few months here! I have lots of faith in you my friend!

Patrece, your post was so encouraging! Thank you!! You expressed all the thoughts that have been going around in my mind since Friday night. There is NO WAY I will lose only 20 kilos
(yes, 44 lbs) on a stomach the size of a pea! OK, about 1/2 a cup. Especially if I avoid my favorite cheat foods - sweets. As for the exercise, I will find a way. Physical therapy, maybe find a pool somewhere, the sea in the summer, simple exercises... it's not a lost cause and if some of my weight is lifted so that I will be less tired, I know I can succeed.

lady..I know you can succeed, because you are strong and determined! You are facing many challenges, yet still moving ahead to take control. You are awesome, and you are going to kick butt! lol
hugsss