HopeandAgony

I too am pre-op. I'm in the states and am going thru insurance. I had to do a 3 month monitored weight loss before referral to a surgeon. I see the surgeon next week. Once he sees me I have to do a cardiac, pulmonary, and psych eval. Hopefully I will be scheduled for end of September. I started the process in April and have pretty much done nothing but read read read. Although reading the complications sometimes scares me, I want to be informed. I want to know what could go wrong. I think it's part of my need to be prepared for anything. I am certain of my choice to move forward with this. I have tried for years to do this on my own. I've spent money on programs, videos, medication, fad diets... sure I can lose some weight, but it always comes back. I think it's important to be sure of your decision. Talking through things with some of the folks on this site is a great way to go.

It sounds like you have a lot of trust and respect for your Dr and that is a good thing to have! Although you respect her, does she respect you? I am firmly against scare mongering, which seems to be her objective to sway you from weight loss surgery. Yes there are complications and yes some people gain their weight back, but she isn't giving you the global facts. Where is her unbiased information? What about all the success stories? The successes far outweigh the failures. I think to go through this, or any medical procedure for that matter, a person needs to have an unbiased support team. Up front and center should be their Doctor. If you've voiced your questions, desires, your own fact finding details with her and she is still spewing the negatives, you may want to consider seeing another Dr. A doctor shouldn't control your life, or attempt to control you with horror stories. They should guide and support you where your health is concerned. Do your own research. Become knowledgable on what it takes to stay committed, how it works, the struggles, and all the complications so you can make an informed decision. The decision is YOURS, and no one elses. Good luck ♡

I'm jealous! I need your quick turn. I had to do the 3 month diet. I see the surgeon next week. They won't even schedule me until I get cardiac, pulmonary and psych eval. I am in a race to have the surgery by end of Sept (due to insurance change). I think taking your son will be OK to be honest. I would take my little one too if needed. Good luck!!

Congrats! How exciting. And nice that you have someone right there with you experiencing the same things!! I can't wait for my date. I started this process in April and I am seeing the surgeon next week for referral for pre-op testing. Keep us posted on both your progress!

I only had to lose 6 lbs over 3 months. I thought ahhh, no problem. Month one: I gained a lb (now I have to lose 7). Thought to myself...yikes. I cut back on foods, what the heck. I better get it together! Month 2: lost 3 lbs. Ok...better but something isn't right. I'm exercising. Drinking 2 shakes a day and eating a small meal. I had a serious heart to heart with my Dr. She told me to increase my dairy, and continue as I had been. I thought that was really odd advice. Month three: lost 6 lbs (9 total). I'm not sure if the dairy was magical, or if needed it because of the Protein I was taking or if month three my progress finally caught up, but it somehow worked. I didn't cut my shakes. I actually added dairy to what I was consuming. I added probably 400 calories a day to my prior 2 month regimen. I guess what I am saying is (besides wondering if dairy was magical) that maybe you do need to increase your calories. Good luck and hang in there!

Lol!! My son, who is a teenager, has been telling me for years that I'm not fat. I always wonders if he really doesn't see me as fat because I'm his mama or if he's just being nice. I realized though, that I need to stop saying things like that. I have a young daughter who I really want to set a better example for...health wise. She is just a baby still, and I want to do all that I can so she never has to experience things I have when it comes to being over weight. I want her to remember healthy me... Not tired, obsese, sad me.

I am so sorry for you lose. My main priority is yours as well of course. I think now that I am getting closer the imagining game of what could be is a nice way to pass the time. ♡

I am praying for a Sept date too. I finished my 3 month monitored weight loss with my primary Dr in July. I have my first appt with my surgeon next week. I have to have a cardiac, pulmonary, and psych evaluation before they will schedule. I plan on doing everything I can to get those done ASAP. Once those are done he is about 1 month out for surgery. I cannot wait!!

Now I am thinking about all the things I avoid... Depressing! Sporting events. I always am so uncomfortable in those chairs. I always wanted to be flanked by my smaller/thin kids. Eventually I stopped wanting to go at all. I am so excited for this.

There are so many things I've not even attempted. I remember probably 15 years ago trying to get onto a boat from the water and how hard it was. I never put myself in that situation again... You really do stop living life to the fullest don't you? At least I have.

Ah yes. Amusement rides. I've not gone in years for fear of not fitting. That is a good one too!

Of course my top priority is being healthier which is why I am electing this surgery. That being said, out of all the extra weight I carry I have to say, hands down, that I cannot wait until my neck is more defined. For some reason that is something that speaks to me every time I look in the mirror. I am so curious what my neck will look like when I lose some weight. What on you are you most exicted to watch change, or are you looking forward to?

Anyone else? I did the 3 months of monitored weight loss. I had to lose 6 lbs over the 3 months, I lost 9. Saw the Dr mid July. Took her 2 weeks to get my referral. I see the surgeon next week. I have gained 3 to 4 lbs. There are so many factors as to why but I don't like excuses so I won't even get into them. Has anyone else had this happen and how did the surgeon address it? I plan on busting my butt this week to get them off again, I just wanna be prepared in case 1 or 2 linger. I always thought 6 lbs wouldn't be a big deal, but it was...

This is where I am. I had to do a 3 month program with my primary Dr with a lose of 6 lbs before referral to a surgeon. I am almost done in 2 weeks!

Hi. I've got an odd issue going on. I haven't been sleeved yet but I am following a 2 Protein shake a day diet (followed up with a normal healthy meal). I've been doing this about a month now to lose the weight required prior to surgery. The past 10 days I've had mild to moderate urinary discomfort (burning with urination and discomfort in between). Bad enough I went to the Dr to have a urinalysis done. I've had UTI's before so was confident that's what I had. (No, it's not an STD either) Results came back normal. Dr said its possibly from the Protein shakes. Anyone else have any experience with this and what did you do? I am using 100% egg protein, and each shake has about 25 grams of protein in it. I drink 2 per day and eat a normal dinner. I am drinking 64+Oz of Water per day. Thanks in advance.

Welcome! I have my second to last Dr appt today before referral to a surgeon. I thought I would be in August too, but I have heard the surgeon is 1.5 months out so I am looking at September. Even though I will be later than you I will be here to support you!

I've started making big changes already. My Dr requires 3 months of weigh in's and 6 total lbs lost prior to referral to a surgeon. My first month I gained a lb so I had to make some real changes this month. After dragging my feet I started two shakes and a meal per day. I see the Dr tomorrow and will only have 1 more visit after that (2nd week of july). Im pretty sure I've lost my required weight but will confirm tomorrow. I've heard the surgeon has a list of requirements too (cardiology, pulmonary, psych) so hopefully it won't be September but I am being realistic.

Following you both Estimated surgery September. Tin440, I am about the size/height you are (before surgery). I will be 38 at the time of surgery.

It's always eye opening, the different struggles people have. Usually my struggle is losing weight. Now that I am doing what I am doing I am losing fine. The thought of "maintaining" is terrifying. I have lost what I needed to to qualify, now to decide if I should continue to lose (ideal of course) or try to maintain where I am so I don't risk being disqualified. Next week can't come soon enough to talk to the Dr. I can so easily see myself going back to bad eating out of fear of losing too much. Sigh.

Thank you everyone. This helps ease my mind.

You get under a BMI of 40 during the pre-op diet? I will ask my Dr next week but right now it's on my mind because I found out yesterday that even though I will be referred to my surgeon next month it'll still be 2 months before surgery. That means I have another 3 months to lose weight. If I keep going as I am I will fall under a BMI of 40. I am lucky to not have any co-morbities, but does that also mean I will no longer qualify? I think it's insane that if I lose 12 more lbs I can be denied even though I will still be 80 to 100 lbs overweight... Does anyone have experience with this? I don't want to stop trying to lose but I don't want to be disqualified either.

That is what I have been doing this month. It is hard but every day I follow through it seems to be a little easier the next day.

Thanks all. I see my PCP next week and am going to talk to her about some of these tests. I have had a lot done recently so some of it might still be valid. I really hope they don't need to do a sleep study. I don't think I could sleep with people watching me. I see a psychologist regularly as well. Should I mention to her I am having surgery? I wonder if I have to see someone they recommend?

Thanks for the advice.

Hi viictoriiaa. I am in the process of losing weight too. I don't have to lose nearly as much as you but I will share what I am doing... my Dr only asked me to lose 6 lbs to show I am able to change my eating habits. However, I am 2 months in and have just now started to lose. The first month I gained 2 lbs. I had been telling myself 6 lbs was nothing and that I only had to change little things like eat slower, and less. Boy was I wrong. This month after dragging my feet for the first week I started drinking Protein shakes for Breakfast and lunch and continue to eat a normal dinner. I find if I know ahead of time that is my lunch and dinner somehow it makes my day easier. If I get hungry I will eat a pickle or some olives, or a slice of lunch meat, tomatoes or even a small salad. It's hard some days, but I found a a shake I really like. I really drink a lot of Water too. I make sure I get at least 64 oz. I often tell myself "food is only fuel". It does help but it's not easy. I believe it's preparing me for life after surgery, at least that's what I hope. If you do lose your weight in the 3 months we might be having our surgery around the same time! Good luck. You got this.