Question:
I am trying really hard to loose the required weight before surgery

and it has been really tough with all the holidays, does any one have suggestions?Also how soon after you loose the weight and complete all the testing do you get scheduled for surgery?    — elizabethgc (posted on December 31, 2007)

December 30, 2007
Congrats on your decision to have the surgery! I am sure trying to lose weight before the surgery and during the holidays is really quite difficult. Try to ensure that you eat a healthy meal before going to any festivities (if you're already satisfied you may eat less), take a dish of some healthy snack you know will be there for you if you want something, drink plenty of water... these are probably ideas you've seen over and over again. But, I would imagine they are great ideas for just that purpose. Should be, once your insurance has approved you your scheduler will give you a date for surgery. I finally called my surgeons scheduler and kindly asked her to give me a date even though the insurance had not approved yet (hadn't even been submitted at that point) but I needed something to work toward. Thankfully, my doctor did not require pre-surgery weight loss. Much luck to you... Blessings, Leslie
   — LuvNSummer

December 31, 2007
I had a difficult time loosing weight prior to surgery too. I found that I had to greatly limit any diet sodas, drink fluids, stop snacking, and drink at least 48 ounces of water daily. I lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks prior to surgery. My surgeon told me at a 3 week pre op meeting, that if I gained any weight he would not do surgery. So did exactly what I suggested here. Your surgeon, your insurance company, the hospital scheduling--all of these have control over when your surgery can be performed. My surgeon also required an evaluation by a shrink (to make sure I understood what the surgery involved). My "wait time" was about 3 weeks, and my surgeon is busy doing this surgery mulitple days each week.
   — Dave Chambers

December 31, 2007
The first step for me before surgery was to eat low fat protein (broiled or baked fish, chicken, turkey, etc.) and veggies and fruit. Cut out the carbs. You might as well start now because it will be a long time before you can have carbs again. Then 14 days before surgery I was on liquid diet (protein drinks) low fat yogurt twice a day and 1 cup of fresh veggies in the afternoon. Believe it or not I was not hungry. The protein drinks do the trick. Good luck. Today I am 3 weeks out. Still weak but down 36 lbs. C Garber
   — Caroline Garber

December 31, 2007
It took me six months to get a surgery date.
   — Andrea H.

December 31, 2007
I am at the same step as you. I have been working hard to loss my 10% (required by the insurance company) and have 8 pounds more to go. Then I can schedule the first appointment with the surgeron. The holidays makes it even harder. But I have been make sure that I make time for exercise (daily) and have been sending all the baked goods (given as gifts) to work with my husband. If they are not at the house, I can't eat them. Hang in there, we will get to our goal.
   — Sherry_M

December 31, 2007
My surgeon does not require that I lose weight but he does request/suggest that I do. When I went back for my pre-op appointment with him I had gained 5 lbs. He wasn't happy about it but did not cancel my surgery. I was scheduled for Dec. 28 but got a bad cold and now it is mid January. My insurance took only a few weeks to approve, but I have MANY expensive weight related issues so they are probably glad for me to have the surgery! GOOD LUCK!
   — Lookingup

January 1, 2008
My insurance required that i lose 5% of my body weight. I started all my clearances while working on the weight loss. I joined weight watchers. knowing that this time would be different... that there was a prize at the end. I stuck with it to lose the weight before they submitted my package to the insurance. My surgery was sceduled before my approval was in. Good Luck!
   — robinmarra

January 1, 2008
You will do o.k. after the holiday's just try to do the atkin's diet it's a little simpler i think, I did that one and it help me loose at least 60lbs. before surgery so try again and see what happen's o.k. Best of luck to you, I know you will do it if your determined to do it.
   — 2409w.poplar_rodriguez