So I am pre-op. My doctor and my insurance both require that I lose 5% of my weight before my surgery, which is 15 lbs. The first month I lost 4.5 lbs. Then when I went back last Thursday for my psych eval, I was only down another .5 lb. When I went on Monday for my final monthly appointment, I was back up almost to my starting weight, which means I gained 4.5 lbs in just 4 days. Now they can't submit to my insurance and I have to go back in another month.

They gave me Phentermine to help, and I took it yesterday. I noticed that it did curb my hunger, until I had about a half hour left of work and I was suddenly starving. As if the pill had worn off and all my hunger came at me at once. But luckily I was able to deal with it and go home and eat dinner. Usually I am hungry all through work and end up snacking on bad food.

The worst part about this is I wanted to be banded in August because I am going to Japan in October and I wanted to have significant time between the surgery and the trip. Now it looks like I will either have the surgery close to the trip, or I will have to wait until after. Which sucks because I work in retail and that means I will have to take off right at the busiest time.

I am so mad at myself for failing. I hate that I have to lose this weight. I have never lost 15 lbs ever in my adult life, and that is why I am getting the band. I wish I could get the surgery without the weight loss, it would be so much easier.

Maybe you're not exercising enough

Have you tried a high protein/low carb/low fat diet? I did that for two weeks pre-op and lost over 20lbs in those two weeks.

Yes, that is the diet I am on. I do a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch, with something to go with it (fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese, salad) and then a low carb meal for dinner. I also have a snack since my work hours force me to go about 7-8 hours between meals.

I was doing good and that's how I lost the 5 lbs, but then I cheated a little and wham it all came back. I mean I was still eating good more than half the time, including Protein shakes at least once a day, but it didn't matter.

I do think you should consider going back to Protein shakes for 2 meals a day maybe three. Make sure to use good quality protein such as whey Isolates. At the Vitamin Shoppe they carry Gold Standard Whey Isolate which is approx. 120 calories 24 g protein, 3g carbs. If you are going the Protein shake route make sure to take a good Multivitamin.

I make mine with fat free milk which adds about 10 g protein and 90 calories. My surgery had to be postponed due to a preexisting health issue. I try to stay around 800 to 1,000 calories a day. My meals are usually breakfast protein shake, piece of fruit late morning snack, lunch 300-400 calories, Greek Yogurt (fat free with fruit add splendra for better taste; otherwise it is too sour), dinner protein shake, maybe a fruit for a snack. I need a snack between lunch and dinner because I go to the gym late afternoon and it would be a long time between lunch and dinner.

I do an hour of moderate lap swimming every day. Great way to get into exercising especially if you have joint issues.

Since 12/28/09 I have lost 49 pounds.