Hello to you all

Hello everyone.  My name is Gentry.  I decided to become a group member because I am in need of some serious help and pretty much feel this is my last hope.  I am trying to avoid crying this very minute while typing.  At least if I cry now my 5yr old wont see it because she is still asleep. 
Any how.  I have done all of my pre-op exams and tests and what not.  I just need to lose the weight in order to get a surgery date.  But its not just that simple.

I first got weighed in and marked at 369lbs and was told by the surgeon that I need to lose 15-20 lbs putting me at 349.  Well guess what?, I went to be weighed so I could get a date.  I was down to 348...I had lost 21 pounds.  Well, now that was not enough.  I was told I needed to lose 9-13 more pounds putting me at 339-336 lbs.  I have been having the hardest time getting it off not to mention how I felt after losing what was first asked of me only to be turned away.  Emotionally I wanted to crawl under a really really big rock. 

I called this morning and was told that I absolutely have to be down to 330 pounds.  It changed again!!!  I need to take deep breaths right now.  Now, I am feeling like I just down want to eat anymore, lost faith in my surgeon and have no support to help me even if all was ok.

I dont know what to do.  Between this, depression and a five year old....I just want to sleep and say f&*k it and climb back in the bed and sleep away...impossible with a 5yr old!

I need help.  Motivation. Friends and to lose another 21 pounds!  Please help!!!!

Don't give up!!
I began my journey at 371 lbs and had to lose 40 lbs to have surgery. I would ask the surgeons office why they keep changing the requirements. 

My pre-op journey was very stressfull and I never felt I lost enough weight.  Most people have to do a liquid diet before surgery. I had to be on one for 2 weeks.  I know it was the liquid diet that took me to my surgeons goal.

Keep in mind.  I AM NOT TELLING YOU TO DO A LIQUID DIET! If you do have to do a liquid diet ask your surgeon if they are taking into account the weight you will lose during that time.

After my 2 week liquid diet, I weighed in at 320 and my surgeon was more than satisfied with the results.  I lost at least 20lbs on the 2 week preop liquid diet.

Well, I got no suggestions as to how to lose the weight.  She didn't put me on a liquid diet.  I wouldn't mind it though especially if i were to get similar results.  I am just trying to "diet" as I usually do and I have never gotten any real results.  Now under this added stress of more weight to lose I am trying to at least hang on to what I have lost before I gain that back in pity eating.

What is the liquid diet?  I hear people talking about it but dint really know the details.  Please elaborate.

Thanks so much for the encouragement.

Hi Gentry,  first of all let me extend warmest wishes that you are among family here at bariatric buddy group.  So sorry that your pre-op requirements seem to keep changing.  I would feel frustrated by that as well.  Are you working with a dietician or nutritionist?  My surgen required 6 monthly meetings with a dietician pre-op.  During those meetings we discussed weightloss plans, developed strategies for dealing with separatng fluids from meals, eating slowly, getting of the soda habit, starting to exercise and such.  Also had a weigh in each month.  I did not have a set # of pounds to shed, just to have made an effort and not gain weight.  I worked hard and did manage to lose 44 pounds during the 6 months plus the 3 week liquid diet before surgery.

I sent you an article on moods and weight loss.  You are feeling very normal mood shifts.  The hormones are a bustin' loose from their homes in the fat cells. 

I too am not telling you to go on one of the liquid diets, but here is what my surgeon had me doing for 3 weeks before surgery, mine was for 3 weeks due to my BMI being over 50.  Take 5 cups of 2% milk, mix in 5 packets of sugar free carnation instant breakfast and 1 scoop of protein powder.  Mix well and divide into 5 meal/snacks to have through out the day. Surprising, it tasted ok and I kept myself busy with other things so that hunger did not trip me up.  I could supplement this with all the sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles, broth, water, crystal light that I wanted.  I was also allowed tomato juice or V8 juice.  The popsicles came in handy when I needed to 'chew' something, the tomato juice when I got tired of sweet things.

Others have been using other premade liquid supplements like boost.  Check with your dietician for other suggestions.  Know that I am here as a leaning post, here a couple of times a day to check in.  I work 11pm to 7 am shift and come and go online when I can at home.  Tonight I am writing on my breaktime.

Do what you can for exericise, it helps boost your metabolism and burns more calories during the next few hours.  Find something fun that you can do with your 5 year old.  Exercise does not have to be hard, a walk around the block, playing at the park, pushing a swing, put on some good music while doing housework.  Use soup cans for early weight lifting exercises.

Come share often, use this space for questions, sharing, venting and anything else that comes to mind.  Try to join the monday eve chat sessions here on the bariatric buddy group page.  I send out reminders each monday before chat with a shortcut to make getting to the chat space easier. There are usually a dozen of so of us that come to chat, varies from week to week.  We discuss whatever is important to those present.  I am at chat 3 monday's a month.  The other monday is for a local wls support group meeting.  If you have access to a local group, do try to take advantage of it.

I think I got on my soapbox again.  Sorry if this was long, I get diarrhea of the fingers from time to time.  Hope to see you here again soon.  Hugs

Hi Gentry, welcome to the BB group! It's grossly irresponsible for your doctor to tell you you must lose x amount of weight but not give you directions on how you are supposed to do that, Obviously, if you could lose weight on your own, you wouldn't have need of WLS!
I would go back and give them a fine talking-to! I wouldn't leave their office until they gave me specific directions and a doable diet plan.
Don't give up. Even those who are supposed to take care of us, i.e. the good doctors, are not so high and mighty that can't benefit from some common sense!

Hi Gentry. I'm so sorry that you've been given the run around by your doctor. That is like being put on an emotional roller coaster, and totally unfair to you. I agree with the others, insist on a WRITTEN weight that your doctor is requiring, and ask for a diet plan to help you acheive that. A 2-week liquid diet works for a lot of people. My doc requires a 2 week Atkins style low carb diet before surgery.
Most importantly, just remember that you CAN do this. You lost the original amount you were told to, and you CAN and WILL do this. It will be worth it in the end. You are strong and couregous and you are not gonna let this make you give up, right???!!! You have what it takes to succeed. And that 5 year old is a fantastic reason to do whatever it takes to get your surgery and get healthy. Come here and post when you need to vent or need advice or answers. We are all in various stages of our journies and there are lots of people here who can give great advice and encouragement. You CAN do this!!!

Hugs,
Rhonda

I would like to thank all of you that have taken the time to send words of encouragement.  it is truly hard.  I didn't think anyone was listening until I noticed that there were 5 responses.  Oh my goodness I really do appreciate it that it almost brings me to tears.  For some reason I have been getting a lot of tears lately for just about nothing.  Thank you all soo soo much.

I hate that I have to think about what I am putting into my mouth or thinking about food so much throughout the day it seems to  consume me.  Everything is sweet.  Then to counter act that I look for something salty and low and behold I screw up the days work.  I start out good and then order a pizza!  What is that about?  

The morning will be another day and I only pray that I can make it through with out incidence.  If I can get one day then I know I can do the next and the following. 

Thank you all so much and I look forward to the chat session tomorrow or better yet today.  See you there, and thanks again.