Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Diet and Exercise before surgery?!?!?



Recommended Posts

Hey guys good afternoon. I was told to get the ball rolling with the diet and exercise before surgery. I will be honest, I tried and I failed. I joined the gym and have not been once. I do drink lots of Water though. However before I see the nutritionist how important is it to take in Protein and Vitamins before my surgery? I will most likely have my surgery in Dec or early Jan because I'm in school and want to finish that first. My nutritionist visit is Oct 4 2016. So Should I get the ball rolling now honestly or do I have a little time to play? I want some serious answers No Play here lol.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know , I know. That's what I keep telling myself. I'm like ok Tanette you want this surgery but you haven't changed you eating habits yet.... Why Not? That's the hardest thing for me. That's why I'm fat now.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's definitely hard, but the more changes you make now as a pre op, the easier it will be for you as a post op. Best of luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I started making changes to the way I ate 6 months before my surgery but I made small changes over time not in one big swoop. I also allowed myself designated cheat days so as not to be overwhelmed. I lost 65 lbs before my surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Should I get the ball rolling now honestly or do I have a little time to play? I want some serious answers No Play here lol.

It is for you to be serious. If you are serious about losing weight, you will begin now. If you want to play, go ahead and gain weight. The choice is yours. Your question implies that you think surgery is a magic cure. There is no magic.

Surgery is grown-up stuff.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok!!!! For the shade . I understand surgery is "Grown up Stuff" that's what you said right. Anyway I am asking questions because I didn't get Fat over night. I've always been fat. I have tried and failed several times at this. I don't think by any chance this surgery is magic but hell if you ask me it almost is. Give me one person that have lost over 100 plus pounds in 6 months just changing their eating habits..... I'll wait. No one. I really just wanted to know when to seriously get on the ball with this . I haven't gained any weight by the way. Thank you for your comment.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Baby steps, sweetie, baby steps. You're right- it didn't happen overnight, so making changes won't either.

Don't beat yourself up- just make little promises to yourself now, and keep them.

"Today, I'm going to go for a walk"

"Today, I'm going to toss away that hamburger bun and just eat the insides"

"Today, I'm going to not have ..."

Making a promise to yourself and keeping it is HARD!! You'll possibly beat yourself up for breaking it, but you'll also let yourself off the hook easier than, say, if you promised to help a friend in need and blew them off. THEY would be less forgiving.

You've already decided to take a huge step in having the surgery. There will be learning curves, difficult choices, as well as easy ones!! That is what this time is for- preparing yourself.

So, learn to be good to YOU- a step at a time, and you will get there.

Here's a thought: buy a stack of post-it notes. Each morning, write out your "promise" or goal for the day, and stick it on the inside flap of your purse. Every time you go in there, you'll see it and be reminded of what you want to do.

Good Luck- and don't take people's comments that are "negative" too hard. I think, often times, they forget what it is like to be at the precipice of something this monumental- and that they, too, were in some version of your shoes once.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You almost made me cry.... . That has been thee best advice I've had this whole journey. It will change my life. God Bless. I will remember to have a goal everyday. Thanks love. Awwww I'm really touched

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I understand what you are saying, but just as fast as it comes off, it comes back on if you dont have a major lifestyle change.

There are thousands that lost and kept it off, just like the thousands that put it back on just as fast.

The 6 months is the honeymoon stage. It doesnt last that long. You can eat around your new small stomach. And if you get gastric, your pouch can stretch out.

And I have lost about 100lbs in 6 months doing low carb several years ago. Kept it off for about a year, then hurt myself and couldnt work out, depression and pain, I put it back on just as fast.

Even though its "magic" for a time, time goes by quick and it will be a boomerang if you dont kiss your old eating habits goodbye forever. Otherwise, dont get surgery for a temporary weight reduction.

Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@Tanette

Well you asked for answers but you may not like them. The reality is, having WLS is much harder than diet and exercise and you have to be ready.

The surgery simply gives you a smaller stomach therefore helping to control quantity of food at any one given time. It doesnt stop you from grazing all day long nor does it control what you put into it. There are many many many people who have this surgery, dont change their habits and end up losing a little or losing alot but gaining it all back.

The period of time before surgery is best used building better habits that can be leveraged post surgery. You dont have to make all the changes at once but you should be focused on changing some of the bad habits you already know you have. There is a reason that most insurance companies require a pre op diet. It is to show that you are serious about changing the way you operate. Insurance companies and bariatric surgeons want successful outcomes.

So that being said, my response is, if you are serious about having WLS then its time you get serious about the pre work required to give you your best chance of success.

I hope that you are able to make some positive changes for your own health.

Best of luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you guys. I know I sounded like I'm not sure about this. Honestly it is a huge change. I will take the hound ladies advice about everyday giving myself a goal. I believe that will help me. I tend to be an emotional eater and going through marriage separation is Not helping at all. I just have to pray and ask God to take my hand through this journey. I look at everyone's success and say that will be me one day . Once I get serious. I will I promise . It's like a drug addict Quitting Cold Turkey with No Help or support. It's funny because I have family members who have gone through this process and succeeded and I have a family member who have failed. I want a better life I just have to step away from bad food choices. I must say my 6 month doctor visits was nothing like some of you guys stories. It was a piece of cake. I lost , I gained, I lost, I gained. I didn't get in any trouble. We will see what the nutritionist says Oct 4th. Thank you guys again for your honesty.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know , I know. That's what I keep telling myself. I'm like ok Tanette you want this surgery but you haven't changed you eating habits yet.... Why Not? That's the hardest thing for me. That's why I'm fat now.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I will be honest and tell you I am struggling to make changes too!! It's hard, that's why we're choosing to have WLS. If we could do it ourselves we would have already. Surgery can give you the boost to make the big changes. Just try to make some little changes up until then. More Water, cutting back here and there.

And I can speak from experience. I am a band to bypass. My band was successful for two years, then it slipped out of position. The clinic I went through went bankrupt a year after I got it. I've struggled with the band for two years and will be having conversion surgery on Oct 3.

I get into these details because I was not good with my pre-op diet the first time around either and still did very well.

I still have two weeks of pre-op diet and I vow to make more changes. Just try your best.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you guys. I know I sounded like I'm not sure about this. Honestly it is a huge change. I will take the hound ladies advice about everyday giving myself a goal.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey!!! I'm a HOUND lady?. Jk!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×