I got approval for my surgery back in March, but due to other obligations going on in my life these past few months, I had to wait and schedule it for June. Well, I found out when I went to my pre-op appointment yesterday that I have gained about 25 pounds since then , which put me over the limit for my insurance to pay. Consequently, I had to cancel my surgery until I lose the 20 pounds. I am so disappointed!! :cry

I wish that they (at my dr office, who handled the insurance approval) had told me at the time that I needed to be within a certain weight range to qualify because I would have been on a strict diet until my surgery (especially since I was on the high borderline of the range to begin with). I think from the anticipation of things, plus studying for a major exam for admission to grad school, I gained some weight due to stress. I'm just sick about this whole thing... I was so ready to do it.

For those of you who did have weight to lose before your surgeries, what did you do and how much weight did you lose? I'm trying to find something that will help me lose 20 pounds pretty quickly, but reasonably, so I can get back on track soon. I really appreciate your advice

Hey Peanut...

First off, don't freak out! I know, easier said than done. My hubby has to lose 60 pounds before surgery! Since we're self pay--he chose his date and has given himself 2 months to lose the weight. It's alot of weight for a short period of time, but I'm staying positive and very supportive. So, the nutritionist put him on the Induction phase of the Atkins diet. He'll be on that until next week (4 weeks of Atkins) and after, he's doing all liquids until surgery on 7/18 (basically Opti-Fast shakes). Whatever you chose, just make sure you're comfortable with it. The last thing you want to do is to start something extreme and not be able to follow through with it and bum yourself out even more. You don't need the added stress. Good luck on your upcoming diet and surgery. You're sure to do great. Congratulations!

-Lili

I did oatmeal for breakfast, slim fast shakes for lunch and a lean cuisine for dinner. I dropped almost 20 relatively quickly.

"Experience" by Awareness herbal products. No, I don't sell it or have any connections with the company. It just works for me as a great cleanse without cramping.

I did LOW CARB Slimfast (not Optima, not High Protein, not regular) 2-3 cans a day, and then for my "big meal" I had a salad with it with low fat (low cal) dressing and an occasional sugar free Jello snack. I dropped 12 or so in a week (which is what I needed to do) never felt I was hungry, either.

What worked for me and still does a Food Journal. dailyplate.com is so simple. it asks for you to pick a goal for calorie counting. I actually hiked mine's up from 1200-1500 but I also worked out. peanut that protein is very important. it fills you up!!! and you won't be so quick to waste your calorie intake on some foolishness!!! you go girl!!!!

I did a protein shake for breakfast and lunch.

A Dannon Light & Fit (60-90 calorie one) around 3pm

4 oz meat and unlimited vegetables for dinner.

Took a walk everyday.

I lost close to 20 lbs in 3 weeks but it wasn't easy. I just kept thinking about the surgery.

Do the liquid diet... I was required to do the liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery and lost about 18 lbs. I was told by the nutrionist to take in at least 64g of protein a day to stay healthy. I did three shakes a day with GNC brand (they have like 25g of protein per serving). And then did cream based soups (I strained the the cream soups and stuck to complete liquids) or fat free pudding or jello for snacks inbetween. Nutrionist stated anything that turns to liquid at body temp, is considered a liquid.

Good luck!

Peanut,

I was in the same boat as you, I found out about the pre-op weight loss after I was two weeks into the process. I had done all my pre-op tests, and called the surgeon to see if they had gotten the information from my PCP. That was when they told me that they wanted me to lose 40 or 50 pounds. I was crushed, my surgeon put me on the Optifast 800 Diet. I started the diet on May 8, 07. By the 18th I had lost 10.5 pounds. Two weeks later I had lost 27 pounds. I stuck to the diet closely, and started walking for 15 mins a day. I talked to my surgeon, and he said that I should be able to schedule my banding when I weigh in at his office this coming Friday. Optifast worked for me, I wasn't even hungry between meals. Big Suprise! Hope this helps.

Jim

I don't get why people with MORE weight to lose are disqualifies. Makes no sense...... I guess in some ways I'm glad I was self pay... No pre op testing. Just surgery.