Question:
43 days to surgery- should I get on the 'Protein Train' now?

I have been really working at my eating and exercise habits in order to prepare for this wls. My beginning weight was 220 and today I weigh in at 213. I am scared about loosing to much weight and that they might not do the surgery. My question is, should I get on the "protein train" now or just "eat up" before then. I am hoping that since I have already been approved it won't be an issue. - Does anyone know? By the way, I love this web site - everyone is so nice. It really encourages me everyday!!    — Calynn A. (posted on August 2, 2003)

August 2, 2003
You are to be commended on your effort to get in good shape before surgery. If you "eat up" that will only be more weight you will have to lose.(Not good). However, if you get on the protein train now with 43 days left to go, you could probably lose 20 or 25 lbs and even tho your ins. has already approved you so it wouldn't matter to them, I would question the surgeons ethics if he operates on someone less than 200 lbs. Of course if you are a shorty, 200lbs is a lot. I am 5'1" and started out at 228.6. My surgeon asked to maintain. He would have liked for me to lose a few pounds but thought it impossible because of my previous history with the old intestinal bypass. He said he would be happy if I could juist maintain and I did. If I were you I would think twice about getting under 200.
   — Delores S.

August 2, 2003
YES! the more protien you can get pre op the better your organs and innards will be and they will heal better after wls and you cna experitment and find the types of drinks you like (althjough sometimes your tastes will change after, but not always)
   — janetc00

August 2, 2003
A resounding YES if you're already approved because you're kind of a lightweight! Check with your surgeon if you're not approved. At a bare minimum, make sure you can find a protein that you can stomach now, so you'll be prepared after surgery. The more good habits you can prepare yourself for now, the easier it will be post-op.
   — Cathy S.

August 2, 2003
Check with your doctor. I was a "lightweight" (42 BMI) when I was approved. I lost 12 pounds in about a month, which put me at a 40 BMI on the nose, and had a month to go before my surgery. At that appointment, my surgeon warned me not to lose any more weight or I might lose my insurance approval (I didn't get into the details of how that might happen). I found it perverse, but I started eating more so I wouldn't lose -- though I didn't give up my exercise! Stayed the same until surgery, but it wasn't easy, because I was in the mood to lose it and be rid of it, already. Your BMI also seems close to 40, so I'd be careful to check on this further if I were you.
   — Suzy C.

August 2, 2003
It probably wouldn't hurt to get yourself ready for your "new" diet, but I was told my several doctors that eating protein in advance won't help you heal any better.
   — Saxbyd

August 3, 2003
I, too, was in that "lightweight" category - BMI 36, and just over 200. When I returned from my consult, I decided that I should at least try to lose a little before surgery - seemed like it couldn't hurt. But I was concerned about the "qualification" thingie also. My doctor told me that the weight they recorded at your consult visit is what they go by. Since I'm self-pay, it really didn't matter, but the doctors still have guidelines to go by - like BMI >35 with associated co-morbidities - those are not only the ins. company rules, but the doctor's also. So - to answer your question, in my case, the consult visit weight is what was recorded on your record, but like others say, I wouldn't go below 200 just to be sure. Good luck !
   — Carolyn H.

August 3, 2003
Great answers!! But, seriously, I say eat your favorite foods before IN MODERATION. If you love steak, eat one and savor it, same with ice cream or whatever is your food of choice. Have it one last time knowing you MIGHT not be able to have it after surgery. I'm VERY glad I had steak for my last meal and even happier I had my "last supper" one week before surgery because they moved my date up!! Good luck, with this type of pre-surgery commitment, you'll do remarkably well. Congrats!!!
   — msmaryk