Hello,

My name is Lisa and I am 31 and now faced with the decision I need the Weight Loss Surgery. I can't do lap-band because my body doesn't tolerate foreign substances.

I weigh 300 pounds and I know for the last three years I have stayed at this weight range. I have tried Weight Watchers...etc...personal training you name it.

Right now I have to see my Primary Care doctor to get the approval from my Insurance to go for it. It will be a long journey before the actual surgery and after. With my insurance I have to do a Psychological Assessment and nutrition and fitness with the hospital doctor for six months before being even approved for the surgery.

What if I lose a lot of weight in the six month dieting? I don't understand that part? Not like I have lost a lot of weight before. Or what if I keep yo-yoing? I'm confused about the six month dieting and exercising before surgery.

Thanks for any information you can give me,

Lisa

Welcome! You're in good company! A lot of us have been struggling with weight for a long time.

Losing weight before surgery lessens the risk of surgery and gives you a chance to address the reasons for overeating and learn the nutritional requirements for health post-op. The surgery is a tool; it doesn't get rid of all the excess weight without work.

There is also a span of time, usually between 1 day - 2 weeks, right before surgery that you need to drink Clear liquids, preferably with Protein. This shrinks the liver, also to minimize damage during surgery.

For getting the most assistance from the folks on this site, it would help if you filled out your profile. What kind of surgery are you thinking of?

Thank you for your response, I hope to lose as much before surgery also to retrain my mind on food. I have had bad eating habits forever. I am seriously considering the Gastric Sleeve. I will go and update my profile now.

Lisa

Hi and welcome first I would like to say congrats on your choice to be healthy, once you meet with your primary doctor as well as a surgery team they will discuss with you all of your options, I would listen to my doctors and do as much research as you can in preparing for my procedure, the time you spend preparing for this surgery will help you understand why you eat and begin to make changes in your daily activity and food choices, I highly recommend listening to your doctors because if you could loose the weight and keep it off then you would have no need for surgery, good luck.

Two books helped me retrain my relationship with food and manage my environment to minimize temptation:

1) Emotional First + Aid (the bariatric surgery one)

2) From the First Bite (and other books) by Kay Sheppard

Hey thanks for the responses! I will definitely take your guys advice and check out those books. I will be sticking around here for a long time. This is a great place of support and people understand. My parents are now behind me 100% before they worried but now they know I have no choice this truly is the last resort. Other people just think I'm taking the 'easy way out.' Really there is no easy way out because no matter what you work hard to lose the weight.

*hugs screen* You all are stuck with me! LOL

Lisa

Hey Lisa I feel the same way! Sick and tired of it... i have constantly been on a diet since I was 14 and I am turning 28 this year! At my highest weight right now 369 and I feel so good about this decision! Just started the diet a couple weeks ago. Its going to be about 3 months if this before i can schedule my surgery. How is your diet going?