Losing BEFORE Surgery
AngieViolet
Posts: 230 Member
ok...found out that I'm too heavy for a safe bypass. The surgeon told me that I have to lose 60lbs before a surgery date could be set. It was a horrible realization to have halfway through the informational meeting.
So the journey began...
Insurance requires a 6mo medically supervised diet, so I accepted that I could lose 10lbs a month. After losing 10lbs, I had my first appointments (medical screening, bloodwork, upper GI, X-rays, meet surgeon, and meet with dietitians). I was Sooo happy to be 10lbs AHEAD of the game. During this meeting, the surgeon asked that I lose an additional 60 (note:that takes me to 70 total before I can even have surgery!!). I was in full blown panic mode before I met with the dietician. During that appointment, they said that this counted as month #1!!! Aghhhhh. Now I have 60 more lbs to lost in 5 months?!?!?!
Cue full blown panic...did I mention that I quit smoking that week as well AGHHHHH
2 months in...not losing that fast
Month 3, switched to full Advocare diet mode. Pounds start falling off! I reached a total loss of 47lbs! Then I hit a plateau. Now I have 23lbs to lose in 6 weeks! Any advice?
I'd love to connect with anyone going through a similar journey!
So the journey began...
Insurance requires a 6mo medically supervised diet, so I accepted that I could lose 10lbs a month. After losing 10lbs, I had my first appointments (medical screening, bloodwork, upper GI, X-rays, meet surgeon, and meet with dietitians). I was Sooo happy to be 10lbs AHEAD of the game. During this meeting, the surgeon asked that I lose an additional 60 (note:that takes me to 70 total before I can even have surgery!!). I was in full blown panic mode before I met with the dietician. During that appointment, they said that this counted as month #1!!! Aghhhhh. Now I have 60 more lbs to lost in 5 months?!?!?!
Cue full blown panic...did I mention that I quit smoking that week as well AGHHHHH
2 months in...not losing that fast
Month 3, switched to full Advocare diet mode. Pounds start falling off! I reached a total loss of 47lbs! Then I hit a plateau. Now I have 23lbs to lose in 6 weeks! Any advice?
I'd love to connect with anyone going through a similar journey!
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Replies
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There's really not much you can do except keep trying. At worst, you push off your surgery date a month or two. I know the delay isn't what you'd planned, but safe is better. You'll lose plenty fast afterwards. Right now, concentrate on learning good habits, breaking the bad ones, and getting your mental game in top shape. The weight will happen. If it happens on time, great. If it takes longer, that's longer you can practice your new life skills.0
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Thanks 2Poufs! I need a little optimism! That is a good way to look at it. As it gets closer and closer, it continues to amaze me how much of the process is psychological!0
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I had RNY in January and I can safely say that for me, the mental game is at least 75% of it.0
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You've got this, @angiemollison308. I agree with 2Poufs - you may have to delay, but it's important to make sure first and foremost that this procedure is SAFE for you. The fact you're so drive to lose this weight says that you have the mental stamina to make it happen. Just don't give up and keep plugging away.0
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Check out reddit.com/r/keto
It really is the fastest way to shed weight in a safe manner. Plan on drinking a protein shake (or 2) per day. Eliminate the carbs.
You can do this!0 -
Thank you all so much!!! I appreciate your help and support! Safety is definitely my number one focus, followed by mental and emotional preparations. I've never had a surgery of any kind, so I also have a healthy fear level.
I'm also gonna try to mix up my exercise routine a bit. Time to close the pool for the year, so goodbye to swimming. Hello walking and aerobics!0 -
You can do it! 47 lbs is awesome. My surgeons office wanted me to lose 60-80 lbs before my surgery (I'm at 60 now). I did it with low carb/low fat - which has really helped me not be hungry and controlled my crazy out of control sweet tooth in a way I didn't know possible. I'm looking to get bypass in Jan (hopefully will qualify in Nov but then gonna wait till after holidays so hubs can stay home and help me for a week or two).0
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Yay that's awesome!! Great job creepykbear!! What an amazing accomplishment. My hubby isn't able to take time off (new job), so I'm planning on staying with my parents to recover! Yay two weeks of being babied! It's amazing having parents who are professional caregivers. That will definitely make my recovery easier to tolerate!0
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Yesterday was my final dietician appointment. I met my goal! 70 lbs down! I'm now at a safe BMI for surgery (based on my surgeon's requirements). I can't believe that I made it! Now I'm just waiting to be notified when they submit to insurance and when insurance approves me!0
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That is such a great accomplishment! Way to go!0
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FANTASTIC!!! Angie you are going to do so great - hoping your insurance comes through quickly!0
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Great Job!! Your hard work WILL pay off!! You got this!0
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You've done a great job! Hope the rest of the process goes quickly for you!0
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Congratulations! You have done a wonderful job!0
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You did it Congrats! I am also waiting for my final insurance approval. Our surgery dates may be close together! Lets hope it goes smoothly and quickly for the both of us.0
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Thank you all so much! I read about the parts of your lives that you all have shared, and your openness and kindness have inspired me and keep me moving forward. I appreciate all of the words of encouragement and for allowing me to peek into your successes, learnings, struggles, and occasional rants! You all make me more prepared and comfortable with my decision and my future. Tons of love and support for all of you!!!0
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All scheduled!!! Insurance approved me in only 2 days! Nicotine screening came back early! I received a call this afternoon letting me know that my surgery is going to be 11/16! That is Sooo super soooon! Started liquid diet at that second. I'm so super crazy nervous, excited, terrified, proud, and overwhelmed! I am happy that I don't have too much time to get even crazier! Hahahaha0
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Congrats on getting your surgery date! Thats my wedding anniversary day lol. I am a week from you and I get to start my liquids on the 16th. You are right it gives you a little less time to go crazy! I hope the time flies by for you and I will be thinking of you on the 16th.0
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angiemollison308 wrote: »All scheduled!!! Insurance approved me in only 2 days! Nicotine screening came back early! I received a call this afternoon letting me know that my surgery is going to be 11/16! That is Sooo super soooon! Started liquid diet at that second. I'm so super crazy nervous, excited, terrified, proud, and overwhelmed! I am happy that I don't have too much time to get even crazier! Hahahaha
Congrats honey! You'll do just great. Just trust the process, even when you want to scream!0 -
Congratulations on your surgery date. I know you will do great!
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The time before and after surgery goes so fast. You will do amazingly!0
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Thank you all! I'm a little calmer today. I had to seek a little pharmaceutical help to survive yesterday hahahaha. I am slowly realizing that I was more prepared than I thought! Any liquid diet tips for pre-surgery?0
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Try adding different flavors to your shakes. It still gets boring but, it does go by really quick. Invest in the PB2 powdered peanut butter, it's fantastic.0
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I just had my final appointment today, and my surgery is Monday. I arrive at 1145 and surgery is set to start at 1345! I'm sooo afraid. My surgeon pointed out that I'm within the acceptable range for surgery, but I'm still in the high risk classification due to my weight. I started this journey at 417lbs. Now I'm down to 337lbs. Did anyone else undergo surgery around this weight?
There is the possibility that the dr will have to switch to performing a VSG if the risk is to high for RNY once he can see what's going on in my body.
Now I'm drained, emotionally exhausted, and scared. I'm still a little excited, but I just wish I could just waken up tomorrow with a pulse, laparoscopic RNY, and I can totally handle anything else!!!!!0 -
it's normal to be apprehensive about any surgery. that being said, trust your surgeon, he/she will do their best to look out for your well-being.
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As much weight as you have lost, I believe your surgery will be successful. Your liver should have shrunk a lot. I was 314 when I had my RNY, and my doctor was able to do it laparoscopic. You have already come so far! I'm praying your surgery goes really well.0
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WOW Congratulations on getting the weight off that you had to lose and for getting a surgery date. Monday is almost here and I wish you the very best. I am so glad and happy for you that you are getting yours done before the new year. Keep us posted as to how you are doing. Good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
I am still on the 6 months supervised diet. I had lost over 140 pounds before I even saw the surgeon. He didn't say I had to lose any more but I wanted to. I am down another 29 pounds. My last visit is the 23rd. My Dr wanted all testings and clearances done by Nov 23rd. Unfortunately that is not going to happen. I need a stress test done and it can't happen until Dec 6 and 7th. My surgeon goes on vacation Dec 15th until the new year. So I hope I will be scheduled for some time in Jan once insurance approves everything.0 -
Downfall of waiting till new years is deductables are flipping back over. :-( I work in a hospital and we are having so many people try to get the last of everything scheduled in at the end. I commend you on your total loss so far.0
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Good luck Angie!0
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Thank you all for all of your support and encouragement! This time tomorrow I'll be driving to the hospital! I kinda did things the opposite of most people...I was extremely open at work. My team was among the first to know about my progress every step of the way. They have been AMAZING!
However, I only told my immediate family (husband, parents, grandparents, parent-in-laws). I have a very large Italian family full of super close, supportive women. I really wasn't ready to hear them all say how happy they were and how much they worried for my health. I also wasn't ready to fail publicly if I couldn't lose the initial requirements presurgery. This week I told everyone and had a chance to spend time with each and every one of them. What a blessing! I have incredible family and friends! I'm so lucky! I could literally feel them taking away some of my fear and worry. I feel so much lighter emotionally, and knowing that so many people will be praying for me and supporting me has allowed me to relax. Plus all of the compliments from those who haven't seen me in months felt amazing!
As of now...I think that I'll be heading into surgery confidant in my decision and excited for my next chapter. However...I could lose my mind, end up crying in the corner, and need Valium...no promises hahahaha!0
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