Question:
Is anyone having a problem gaining weight before surgery???

I have been trying so hard to slow down with my eating, but since I finally got a date for surgery, I seem to be overeating and gaining. I don't want to do this. Does anyone have any suggestions?    — ANN S. (posted on September 6, 2002)


September 6, 2002
Hi...I had gained almost 40lbs from the time I saw my surgeon to my surgery date!! My Dr. didnt like it, cause he said the bigger you are, the harder it is for him, he says the organs are harder to cut, but here I am 8 months later down 135lbs and doing great!! My advice dont gain anymore, have your last night of indulgence like two or three days before your surgery..best of luck to you..
   — tylerswife

September 6, 2002
Its hard to avoid the "last supper syndrome"!! But remember that the more you gain before surgery will just mean more to lose after! If you don't gain any weight before you will reach your goal sooner and have an easier time with your recovery from the surgery. I actually lost a few pounds before my surgery and was up and about feeling great the week following my surgery! Also remember that you will most likely be able to eat several of the foods you enjoy afterwards (well, not right afterwards) only in small quantities, so you are not giving them up forever!! Good Luck!! (Open RNY 8/5/02 -30lbs so far!!)
   — Jean T.

September 6, 2002
Try not to put on 50 pounds but eat whatever you want pre op. Enjoy! After surgery there is a lifetime of being good.. Enjoy your last suppers. I got sick of food, that made clear liquids easier...
   — bob-haller

September 6, 2002
I find myself doing the same thing!! I have gained almost 10 pounds since I decided on the surgery! I basically have decided to eat whatever I want before the surgery, but to try and not 'pig out'. That way I can still eat the really "bad" foods now but will hopefully not gain too much before the surgery! Good luck to you. Jen
   — Jen D.

September 6, 2002
I'm doing the exact same thing. I haven't been trying to overeat, I just haven't been trying to "watch what I eat" every other day like I have my entire MO life! Needless to say that I've gained 10 pounds in one month!! That's scary! God only knows what my set point really is! It has really put a perspective on why I need this surgery. I've almost lost my "lightweight" status thanks to that extra ten pounds. I'm going to try not to gain anymore weight because I want to feel as good and healthy as possible before surgery. I say enjoy the foods while you can! Maybe you can cut out some high calorie foods that aren't so sentimental to you right now. I'm pre-op and am looking for preops to talk to about things so e-mail me anytime!Good luck!!!!:0)
   — denisel

September 6, 2002
I can tell you that I did the EXACT same thing. I gained 10 pounds from April 2 to June 7th, day of surgery and I gained another 3 pounds in the hospital. My doctor never said anything to me. I think they must expect it. I had enough "last meals" to last me a year, lol. Just m opinion, don't beat your self up over this. I know from being 3 months post op that nothing taste the same afer surgery so I am glad that I had that time to eat all of my favorite meals one last time. Also, know that you will not eat the amount that you ate before surgery. It is physically possible. Good Luck and my prayer are with you~ Candi
   — Candi B.

September 6, 2002
I gained a little weight right before surgery as well and I say eat the foods you know you can't have now while you can have them. But I also say you can still have those "BAD" foods, just have them in moderation. It's when you really go OVERBOARD that the weight is put on so quickly. I don't know if you are having an open procedure or a laproscopic one but I think the extra weight will really make a difference in the lap procedure. I was told by my doctor that the bigger you get the less likely you are to be a candidate for the lap. Remember moderation and good luck to you! :)
   — Laurel C.

September 6, 2002
ENJOY.... I probably had my last supper 4 times a week after getting my surgery date. I made sure I went to all my favorite restaurants. I gained 12 lbs before my surgery. I would enjoy yourself, but that doesn't mean sitting down and having a box of oreo's every night =) Just remember the more weight you put on now, the more you have to take off later, and sometimes it doesn't come off as fast as you would like it to. Good luck & God bless!
   — stacjean

September 6, 2002
It's interesting, when I talked to the psychologist at my psych consult, we discussed this predilection (sp?) among pre-ops for this "last supper syndrome". I told him that it seemed contradictory to what we were all getting the WLS for. He thought that was a quite valid view as well and in fact, he was against this "last supper" bit too. I think I lost about 15 pounds (on my own - not a requirement of the insurance) between the time of my initial consultation and my surgery. Oh, there were a few favorite meals that my wife prepared for me because I wasn't sure how I'd tolerate them after surgery and my wife gave me my birthday cake about 2 1/2 months early (my birthday was yesterday, my surgery was 7/17), but I didn't pig out on stuff like I've heard so many others doing. I figured that the less weight I put on prior to surgery (or the more weight I took off prior to surgery), the closer I'd be to goal once I had the surgery. Just my humble opinion on the "last supper syndrome" *G*...
   — John Rushton

September 7, 2002
I guess I am having a difficult time understanding this. But apparently it's not uncommon. Please, please don't think I'm trying to preach or judge, but it you feel the need for getting in all this food before surgery, I'm worried that you will have a problem not having it after surgery. They say that the psychological part of this surgery is the most difficult. From reading a lot of posts, I can see why. Food is too important and I don't know why that would be different after surgery. Isn't that kind of self defeating? At my seminar (I am still pre-op), they stressed to us that you should be having this surgery because you want better health. If you are doing it to be a size 10, it won't work. I gave that a lot of thought and realized that my main concern is my health. I have high blood pressure and diabetes and have stressed a lot over my health. All of this has happened to me in the last 3 years. I am working to lose at least 15 pounds before my surgery because I want to be in the best shape possible. I have no desire to binge or get in all those meals I will be missing. It IS harder on your body if you put on extra weight right before surgery. It's especially dangerous to your liver. Please everyone, think about what you are doing and why? If these issues with food can't be "fixed", will the surgery be successful?? I am asking this for all of us. I just read about too many people who gain it back. There is a reason for this. I promise I'm not trying to come down on anyone. I just think we all really need to deal with our food issues!
   — Kathy S.

November 3, 2002
I am doing the same thing and I dont even have a surgery date yet.. UGH.. I keep telling myself I need to stop but then I think this may be the last time I get to eat this LOL.. Oh well I guess enjoy while you can.
   — Catherine B




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