Question:
A GOOD THRASHING MAY BE IN ORDER
I'm waiting to meet with the surgeon...the only problem is- that they have a weightloss requirement before you do so. I've done all of the other pre-surgery stuff like psych eval, cardiac eval etc etc. So basically, I'm holding up the show because I can't seem to get it together enough to lose this required weight. The sugery is totally covered by my insurance, so it's not the money hold up. I'm not really afraid of the surgery, so it's not nerves. Am I just lazy and unmotivated? I've cut out diet soda...i drink a gallon of water everyday...no REAL exercise (shocking!) Just the lttle walking i do at work. Can any of you wonderful people help me out? any advice or butt kicking would be in order please. — Vicki B. (posted on July 7, 2002)
July 7, 2002
Vicki, I personally feel it's cruel and stupid of surgeons to REQUIRE a
percentage of weight loss before doing surgery. If it were possible to do
that before, the morbidly obese wouldn't need the surgery--DUH!!! I can see
them asking a patient to try to lose some to reduce a fatty liver, for
instance, but to punish the patient because they are unable to lose any
weight is inhumane.
— artistmama
July 7, 2002
Vicki, I agree-a weight loss requirement PRE surgery doesn't make alot of
sense to me. Its not like we haven't all had experience with dieting and
losing weight before. And with the nerves, stress, pre-surgery, I can
imagine its hard to try to lose weight. Luckily my doctor didn't require
weight loss before surgery-good thing as I ate everything in sight before
my surgery!
But since you asked for a butt kicking-think of how much you want this
surgery and ALL you have to do is lose a little weight to get it. You can
do it!! Maybe join Weight Watchers for a month? Try exercise-walking
fast,or swimming. Steady exercise every day will get the scale moving. I
know its hard now, but put a mental image in your head of the new
post-surgery you and just do it! Once you have the surgery, the weight
loss will go quickly, but to get there, you gotta do it!
— Cindy R.
July 7, 2002
Need more information. How much weight does he want you to loose and in
what period of time do you have to loose it? I know that some surgeons
believe that not being at your top weight prior to surgery will help your
recovery as well as keep your liver from being as fatty (it's hard to move
around in there with a fatty liver.)
— Danna B.
July 7, 2002
I am wondering the amount you need to lose, you didn't say. I managed to
lose weight before my surgery, but that is only because I had heard other
patients state that our surgeon threatened not to do the surgery if they
didn't lose any weight. The purpose is so that the liver will not be
enlarged. I lost 15 lbs in about 2.5 months. I am losing on average right
now almost 14 per month. That isn't a lot, but it is steady. I would just
concentrate on lowering your carbs, sugars and upping your protein intake.
This will get you used to having to do so post-op. You're doing well on
keeping hydrated, but you do need to exercise more since you haven't had
surgery. If you want to go through more time waiting to see and go with
another surgeon, that is your choice. If you would have to wait longer that
way, you might consider trying to adhere to this surgeon's rules.
— Diana M.
July 7, 2002
My dietician suggested a liquid protien diet for anouther lady like you and
she lost her 10% body weight just in time foe surgery. LIqiud protien in
AM, PM, Then a nice dinner in the evening but she did walk allot more to
speed up her metabolism. You could try metabolite 356 while you are doing
the protien it might help speed things up in time for you. Hope I helped
— sheri B.
July 7, 2002
Haven't we thrashed ourselves enough to last a lifetime. If you can talk
to your surgeon. Sometimes they will approve anyway.
— faybay
July 7, 2002
I was originally with a surgeon that required a 10% loss in weight before
surgery. I have since changed to one that does not require the loss, but I
kept going. I have heard that the weight loss may make the recovery
afterwards go quicker and with less complications. My PCP prescribed
Meridia, I have been drinking at least 48 oz. of water a day, and I walk
2-4 miles each morning. I have also been prepping for the post-op diet by
cutting out the sugar, fats and red meat. I have been successful in the
weight loss, but there is no way that I could lose the entire 10%. If I
could, I wouldn't need this life changing surgery. Good luck with whatever
path you choose. :)
— Kelly X.
July 7, 2002
Vicki- I so sympathize with you...I would be feeling and acting the same
way you are right now. If I had this challenge to deal with, I'd probably
get my doctor to put me on a liquid diet, like Opti-fast (counts as a
physician-supervised weight-loss attempt, too, in case you need one of
those!). I don't know all the details of your surgeon's requirements, but
this is certainly the quickest, and perhaps simplest, way of dropping
pounds. Exercise, while we all know is supremely vital and mandatory for
good health, etc., is not the most expedient way to lose weight (I am not
suggesting you don't do it; I'm simply stating the physiological truth).
For example: To burn off 500 calories walking, you'd have to do it at a
pace of 3mph for 1 1/2 hours (that's 4 1/2 miles!). You can save 435
calories just by switching 3 cans of Coke a day to 3 Diet Cokes. Get the
idea? My sis-in-law just did a liquid diet, and said it was easier for her
because it took the issue of food completely away. Something to consider.
Best wishes!!!
— Beth N.
July 7, 2002
Vicki, I too think it is totally ridiculas for this doctor to require you
to lose weight before surgery, but it's not the first time I have heard
this. A quick way to lose weight before surgery is to go on the ATKINS diet
and follow it to a "T". Depending on your weight now, you can
drop a good 10+ pounds in just a couple of weeks. Feel free to email me if
you aren't familar with the ATKINS diet. It is pretty easy.
[email protected]
— Kim B.
July 7, 2002
My surgeon did not require weight loss prior to surgery - but I lost about
10 lbs in the last weeks before surgery anyway. I did feast a little -
eating 1 last whatever here and there - but the last 4 days especially, I
ate very light and avoided the really bad stuff - I just thought that it
would be more poundage that I would struggle to take off later - and that
much more bloated after surgery too. I agree with the other posts - the
surgeon has a good reason (the liver) to ask you to lose a little - but it
should be a reasonable amount and he shouldn't flat out refuse to do
surgery on you if you can't do it.
— Kim A.
July 7, 2002
IMHO although weight loss makes surgery easier I think its the surgeon who
should be thrashed, for requiring it. Plenty of time post op to loose
weight. Besides being a pre op is depressing, scary, and generally
@!%$#&^%. I would consider fing a new doc.
— bob-haller
Click Here to Return