Sorry but you've gotten fatter, no surgery for you - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

SueRN · 03-07-2008, 10:14 AM

The best bariatric programs will and do turn you down if you gain weight prior to the surgery. Kelly was being blunt and honest. Unfortunately, we need to be blunt and honest with ourselves because that's what's going to work in the long run. WLS is no joke. We all know that here but there are people that still believe it's the easy way out, a cop out, we really didn't try hard. And truth be told, weight loss is not hard if you really DO it. Keep it off is much harder. Anyone can really lose weight if they truly watch their diet and exercise. For those of us that ruined ourselves with diet pills, fad diets, unhealthy diets, etc which caused us to yo-yo, gain the weight back, and even then some, keeping it off is almost impossible. The surgeon has every right to be concerned if a person cannot lose 10 lbs in 6 months. This is about safety and long term success. They need to find out what is going on in your head and maybe provide you with more support and counseling to help you to focus on the goal. Don't give up. You'd be surprised at how many people feel they can eat what they want, have many last time meals, and don't care if they gain weight prior to the surgery because they think it's ok because i'll lose it after surgery. It's a bad mind set to start out with. Work with the surgeon's team and follow the plan. You will get there. they are only looking out for your best interest. We can also provide emotional support here. Sue

kellyMASS · 03-07-2008, 10:20 AM

I think it got confusing with two kellys on this thread.Sorry.

Sue you always have wonderful words of wisdom....Listen to Sue she knows stuff!

Zenomia · 03-07-2008, 10:22 AM

I had this mentality prior to surgery...
"If I could lose weight like that, I wouldn't need this surgery in the first place!. So WHY would I lose weight to get it?"

Then it clicked. This surgery was the END result of years of struggle. I KNEW I could lose the weight if I applied myself. It was the applying myself and really commiting to it that was the trick. See, if you look at it, like:
"This is the LAST diet you will have to be on....It's only 10#'s....it's not like you have to lose 50, 100 or more... and it's only until surgery."
That makes it doable! You have to realize that the goal is surgery, and that end result will make losing the 10#'s a LOT easier than you think. When you realize that once it's done, surgery will then follow and you won't be suffering standard yo-yo loss anymore!! Sometimes looking at it from a larger scope makes it more understandable.

Everyone had great things to say, honestly, only you can commit to this. If you want it bad enough, you will find the courage to do whatever it takes...even if that means really putting an honest effort into losing weight pre-op.

Best wishes.

Cinerbelle · 03-07-2008, 10:22 AM

UGH!!! That sucks!!! I gained weight during my 6 months... I can't remember how much, but I think somewhere between 12 to 17lbs. I was in the "I better eat it now cuz I will never get it again" phase. Thank God it didn't stop my surgery.... and that mind set was stooopid...since I can eat anything now that I am 2 years out...just much smaller quantities.

Good luck, let us know what happens!!

Zenomia · 03-07-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellyMASS

I think it got confusing with two kellys on this thread.Sorry.

Sue you always have wonderful words of wisdom....Listen to Sue she knows stuff!

This is why I go by Zen!! It's doubtful that anyone else will have that as a name. LOL!

BillH · 03-07-2008, 10:29 AM

Hi there, PGH, and everybody else. PGH....I'm writing to you, but I know as a pastor, I'm really preaching to me. One of my mottos is "God don't make no junk"
and God made you, girl. And I know you're special, unique, and someone who gives and receives love and compassion. You will "step it up" I believe that, but only YOU can decide how long you're going to attend your 'pity party.' We all have them. And we need to ask for help, as you are doing and that's great....And you have received some wonderfully gentle responses AND some "tougher love" from this thread that shows people definitely care about you.

I just had my stuff sent off to the Insurance folks yesterday, and I definitely don't have the experience of the others, but having lost (and found!) over 500lbs thru Optifast, WeightWatchers, Jenni Craig, Physicians' WeightLoss Centers, and a host of other plans, I know when I commit to something, I get zealous about it. To me, the seriousness of gastric bypass is the life-changer that has helped me FINALLY say, "enough is enough." I mean, I'm already paying the price, with a personal trainer once a week augmenting what I do on my own. And now, my doc wants me on the 5+1 plan with Medfast protein, to shrink that liver even more. For six months I've been seeing the nutritionist, the doc, and the trainer...Still I've yo-yo-ed a bit. While my weightloss over the six months has been minimal (13lbs) I am wearing pants that are 4 inches less in the waist and I see real muscular definition in my arms and upper body. (Walking with a cane because I need a new hip rules out the tredmill and eliptical, but there's something called a NuStep that along with weights has become my new "friend.") I try not to let myself get down, but it hurts like HELL just getting in and out of the car. I'm praying BCBS of Pennsylvania (managed by Highmark) will soon approve me...and I will be majorly bummed out if they don't...But we're going to do what we have to do, right?! Any chance you'd be willing to talk with your doctor and "team" of support folks/family/friends about possibly looking into Medfast (protein-based stuff) NOW to really drop the numbers before May? Sorry, if this doesn't always sound very pastoral. I got talking to ME more than responding to your needs. But You're NOT alone and you CAN lose those 10lbs and more. God bless you!

Godsblessedme · 03-07-2008, 10:34 AM

I agree with Zen on this one. Try looking at it from a different prespective and I disagree with Kelly's delivery as well. But she is right. I like the fact that this will be the last time you really have to "diet" thought.

I didnt have to loose a certain amount at all before surgery just prove that I "tried" and that my friends is the key word. We've all tried and come short this is why we are here. Lest we remember this that none of us were the epidemy of perfect dieting correct? Or else we wouldnt need our "tools"

I wish you good luck and I agree with fisher you CAN DO THIS!

jstarr81 · 03-07-2008, 10:51 AM

I cant say that I can understand where your coming from because I have not had my doctor tell me I need to lose any weight before surgery and I go in March 25th 2008 at 630 am. My doctor is an amazing he is out of INOVA fair oaks here in VA. I am not sure why he has not asked me to lose any weight. I will ask him when I have my next visit but till then anyone have any idea on why some doctors dont require it?

jerseygrl684 · 03-07-2008, 11:14 AM

i was a bitch.. but so is this surgery...

this isnt easy. i struggled losing my pre op weight.. i cried.. i starved.. helllllll i did what i had to do... because i wanted this SO badly.

Claire-in-Texas · 03-07-2008, 11:34 AM

It was a definite requirement by my surgeon to lose weight prior to surgery. He never said how much, he just said "lose weight for me, Claire." Being a good girl, I did what I was told!!

I lost 17 lbs within the 5 week period from first appointment until s urgery, and I did it by cutting portions in half and not eating sweets. That's it. I'm not talking about the pre-op liquid diet - I had to do that for a week pre op, and that is done to shrink the liver size.

Losing weight prior to surgery reduces the risk of problems before and after. There are no guarantees, of course. Just better for the BMI to go down a bit.