Difficult time losing weight before pre op appointment

[2NewBeginningsxoxo 24]

My 6th (and final) month of a supervised weight loss program is coming up in a couple weeks! On Jan 6th I meet with my dietician that morning and then that same day, in the afternoon, I meet with the surgeon for the first time so we can discuss everything and start the process to get my EGD, and whatever else he decides, scheduled to then begin the approval process!

I'm only worried about one thing. My job requires that my BMI be no more than 50 and I'm currently at 51. My dietician suggested losing 10 lbs and that should do it. My issue is, that with my Hypothyroid issue, my PCOS and severe edema, I have a really tough time losing weight. My weight fluctuates because of that. A few weeks ago when I was sick and off work for a week, being able to be home and prop my feet up I lost about 10lbs of Fluid weight but as soon as am up and moving around and working it comes back. I'm feeling a bit discouraged about that and I am stressing that I wont be able to lose the weight.

I know that once I do the 2 week liquid pre-op diet I'm sure I will lose it, so I'm contemplating on starting a liquid diet this coming Monday until the 6th when I go back for my appointment so I will hopefully lose some.

Can anyone relate or have any suggestions? What do you think about starting the liquid diet to try and lose some weight by the 6th? If so, what kind of things can you recommend other than broths and Protein Shakes?

[Mrs. Reid 392]

I had the same problem. I needed to show weight loss for my final appointment with the NUT so I could get submitted for insurance approval.

What I did was ate a small Breakfast at about 7:30 then had a Meal Replacement shake at 11:30 at lunch at 1 a Meal Replacement at 4 and another at 6. Then 3 days before my appointment I had nothing but 6 Meal Replacements every day. and purposely went to my appointment dehydrated. I took a bottle of Water with me to drink as soon as I got my weigh in done. I just considered it a practice run for my two week pre-op diet. I showed the weight loss was passed. Now I am waiting for insurance approval.

Good luck!

[NewBeginning2015 46]

Hello 2NewBeginnings! You are in good company -- I had the same challenge too. My surgeon had me go on the pre-op diet early, to ensure that I showed the insurance company a weight loss. Like cynthiaarm, I had mostly shakes for three days before my final weigh in, and then on the day itself avoided drinking anything until I weighed in. It worked! I made it, with a few pounds to spare. Lucky thing, because I was prepared to ask them to weigh me without any clothes if necessary! ;-p

Congrats on getting to the end of your six months, and good luck on your final weigh in. Post and let us know how it goes.

[Elode 8,093]

@@2NewBeginningsxoxo You could start early if you want. I don't see any problem with it but the liquid diet can be difficult at times. Good luck!

[2NewBeginningsxoxo 24]

Thank you all for the great replies. I think I will give the shakes a try. I will keep you posted!

[2NewBeginningsxoxo 24]

So I am definitely going to try the meal replacement shakes until my Jan 6th appointment. I am undecided if I should do nothing but meal replacement shakes or if I should do one for Breakfast, lunch, snack and then eat a small dinner. what do you all suggest?

[NewBeginning2015 46]

What I did was go all shakes until I dropped off the excess weight (with a little wiggle room) and then added in dinner. That way the pressure was mostly off. You have more time than I did, though, so you could start with having dinner, watch how much you are losing, and then switch to all shakes if necessary for the last few days. Best wishes!

[2NewBeginningsxoxo 24]

Hey everyone

So I've been doing a mostly liquid diet since Monday the 29th. The first day I had a headache and I wanted to eat so bad! The second day I didn't have a headache, but I became very irritable around lunch time. It's only been 4 days but I have already lost about 4-5 lbs, Yay! I'm getting the hang of it now, and I honestly don't feel like i'm starving. If I do eat a small amount, I just make sure it's something healthy, low cal and low carb. I've cut out soda all together and I'm feeling good - no longer really craving it. Here is an idea of how I've been eating ....

Monday - breakfast: Meal replacement shake mixed with 1 cup of 2% milk, Lunch: chicken Soup broth only, Dinner: Half cup of chili and half cup of vanilla yogurt.

Tuesday - breakfast: Meal replacement shake mixed with 1 cup of 2% milk, Lunch: 1 piece of grilled chicken, Dinner: beef broth and half cup of vanilla yogurt with some granola.

Wed - breakfast: meal replacement shake with 1 cup 2% milk, Lunch: 1 cup of tuna salad, Dinner: 2 slices of pizza

Thurs - breakfast: meal replacement shake with 1 cup of 2% milk and 1 small sausage patty, Lunch: Nothing, Dinner: 1 cup of sauerkraut and half cup of Tysons canned cooked white meat chicken.

Keep in mind during the day's i'm also drinking lots of Water, some with crystal light and some unsweet tea with splenda. I've been trying to keep my calories around 1,000.

[downsizingdiva 460]

Let me tell you, on a pre op liquid diet, you WILL lose weight, it is falling off me.

[athena3127 199]

Keep up the good work. Until you are on the actual preop plan you can always alter your eating. As my insurance required I loose prior to surgery I changed my eating. I would have Protein drink for breakfast and Soup for lunch. If I needed something before I would drink juice. Sometimes I would get a salad for lunch. The. I would allow myself a light evening meal like tuna on lettuce or a salad. I did this faithfully. I would sometime allow myself "real" eating but only on special occasions. It helped get me ready for my journey ahead as well as start me on the loosing path

Wishing you all the best

[NewBeginning2015 46]

Great job, @2NewBeginningsxoxo! Only 3 more days -- you are almost there! How are you feeling? You should be feeling very proud of yourself, a 1000 calorie diet is hard to stick with, pre-surgery.

I remember the NUT telling me that I probably wouldn't be hungry after surgery, that most people struggle to keep up with the shakes, and that's been true for me so far. I am day three post surgery and have not yet been hungry, and find the shakes very filling. I imagine that other people have different experiences, but wanted you to know that it may be easier after the surgery -- it sure has been for me.

Let us know when you weigh in!

[2NewBeginningsxoxo 24]

I really appreciate all of the encouragement! I've been doing fine. So far, although the scale fluctuates a pound or two, plus my edema issue - it looks like I've lost 7 pounds I'm still anxious about going to my upcoming (and last) meeting with my dietician. I just want to do really well and I want them to be pleased with my progress. I want to get the ball rolling on my insurance approval. Hopefully that should be very soon. I was a little bad today - my husband, daughter and I went shopping and had dinner at Olive Garden. I hope it didn't affect me too much! I'm jumping back on the wagon tomorrow and I'll be very strict from then until my appointment on Tuesday. Say a prayer for me and think good thought! I appreciate all of your comments and well wishes.

[NewBeginning2015 46]

I'm jumping back on the wagon tomorrow and I'll be very strict from then until my appointment on Tuesday. Say a prayer for me and think good thought! I appreciate all of your comments and well wishes.

How did the weigh in go, @2NewBeginningsxoxo? Dying to hear. Hope you did it!!

[2NewBeginningsxoxo 24]

Hello! I did it! My appt went fabulous today - and believe me I did a lot of praying. I knew I had worked so hard and it paid off. My BMI went down from 51.7 to 50.4 and they said that is acceptable so they will write up my letter and submit it for approval sometime this week. I saw my surgeon today and got scheduled for my EGD on Jan 15th. I go back to see the surgeon for my post EGD on Jan 26th and if everything looks good I will get my surgery date that day! I'm so excited and a little nervous. It's suddenly becoming more real.

Edited January 7, 2015 by 2NewBeginningsxoxo

[NewBeginning2015 46]

Woo Hoo, doing the happy dance with you!!! (But stiffly due to the incisions, lol) So happy that you accomplished it! What a great feeling of relief and joy it must be to clear that first hurdle. And just think about all the practice you've had for the post-op diet...you'll be a pro. ;-p

I know what you mean about it being suddenly real. It was that way for me too. I was very nervous on day of surgery. But you just have to do all the homework and be sure the decision is right for you. Anyway, you have a few weeks now to work through things.

Congrats!!!

PS, edited to add that the EGD gave me a bit of practice for the surgery. I got to see the hospital, recovery rooms, etc. So if your EGD is at the hospital, then that might help you as well.

Edited January 7, 2015 by NewBeginning2015