Question:
What can I do?

I am a little sad today. I went in to see Donna and was given all of my lab test that needed to be completed. Then I got to see Dr. Todd for a moment. He said that he wants paitents with a very high BMI to lose some weight before surgery. My BMI is in the 70's he would like it to be in the 50's. I cried all the way home because I have been trying for many years to lose weight and have not been succesful, that is why I turned to weight loss surgery. I am going to have my next appointment on 10/24/00. I hope that things will be a little more bright then. Somebody please help I don't know what to do.    — Tasha B. (posted on October 3, 2000)

October 2, 2000
Is it possible that you can travel out of state for surgery? There are so many people on this site your size that have successfully undergone the surgery, I'm sure you could find someone in the Lower 48 to perform it. Perhaps you have relatives down here you could stay with? I know this is disappointing, but there really is a reason for everything - maybe your chosen doctor has limited experience with BMIs like yours. In that case, it really is best to go to someone with more experience. Good Luck to you...you'll be in my prayers.
   — Allie B.

October 2, 2000
Dear Tasha, I know that you must feel very disappointed and scared that you will not be able to loose the weight your Dr. requires. The surgeon I have requires all of his patients to loose weight prior to surgery. For some it is a specific amount 40-50 lbs and for others like me no amount is given. The reason he does this is to increase the success of the surgery and to reduce the risks to the patient. I need to begin my diet on 10/8 and loose wt. prior to seeing him on 11/2. If I don't loose weight my surgery will be canceled. His office has instructed me to drink 6 servings of Carnation instant breakfast (no sugar added) with skim milk and not to vary it one bit. They assure me I will loose weight if I comply. Like you I question if I will really loose weight but have decided that if I trust this doc to cut me open etc. the least I can do is trust that the pre op diet will work. Diets seem so punitive so I have been trying to think of this in a more positiiive light. It is now my training program for my Olympic surgery. You do have to believe in what you are doing if it is going to work. If you trust your doc have faith in his advice. He is there to help you heal. Think of it as 50 lbs that you won't have to wait for the surgery to loose, you'll have a 50 pound head start. and it is weight that you will not regain after the surgery. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on your progress.Kathy
   — [Anonymous]

October 2, 2000
Dear Tasha, I know that you must feel very disappointed and scared that you will not be able to loose the weight your Dr. requires. The surgeon I have requires all of his patients to loose weight prior to surgery. For some it is a specific amount 40-50 lbs and for others like me no amount is given. The reason he does this is to increase the success of the surgery and to reduce the risks to the patient. I need to begin my diet on 10/8 and loose wt. prior to seeing him on 11/2. If I don't loose weight my surgery will be canceled. His office has instructed me to drink 6 servings of Carnation instant breakfast (no sugar added) with skim milk and not to vary it one bit. They assure me I will loose weight if I comply. Like you I question if I will really loose weight but have decided that if I trust this doc to cut me open etc. the least I can do is trust that the pre op diet will work. Diets seem so punitive so I have been trying to think of this in a more positiiive light. It is now my training program for my Olympic surgery. You do have to believe in what you are doing if it is going to work. If you trust your doc have faith in his advice. He is there to help you heal. Think of it as 50 lbs that you won't have to wait for the surgery to loose, you'll have a 50 pound head start. and it is weight that you will not regain after the surgery. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on your progress.Kathy
   — [Anonymous]

October 3, 2000
10/03/00 Dear Tasha, Don't let this get you down sweetie there is always a light a the end of this road. You're Dr. is doing what is in your best interest. Just think of this as one more stepping stone to the new you. You just keep telling yourself you can lose the weight.God Bless you I will pray for strength for you to make it through. Don't look to the left or right of you keep your eyes focused on the goal ahead. When you take your eyes off your goal that is when you start to focus on the negative of the situation. Keep your head up God will bless you. Ember
   — Ember J.