My husband and I have began our journey to sleeve surgery. Our insurance requires 6 months of weights. Can maintain current weight or lose. But cannot gain. It seems like 6 months will take forever, but I know it won't. My husband is having his first and 6 weeks later I go for mine (doing it this way because of our child and work)

I am so tired 26 years old. Had a baby in February and have been at the same weight since the Monday before my son arrived. I am 363 lbs and no medical issues (but my mother is a walking MD nightmare) and I know I am heading down the same path if I don't change. I have to do this for my son and me.

Any tips for the 6 month wait? I am trying to start cutting certain foods out but it has been so hard!!! Any tips or advice is welcomed!!!

Some things that has helped me out was first cutting out all sugars and just being more aware of how much sugar is in the things you eat. drink plenty of water try for 1/2 a gallon a day if you can. start exercising, walking more, parking at the back of the store lot and taking the stairs. just a few ideas to help get you started. good luck

@@GTFMommy2516 The best thing I did during my wait was get therapy for emotional eating (boredom eating, mindless eating). It gave me tools I've been able to use pre-op (on day 4 of liquid pre-op diet) and hopefully will help post-op. I started some eating habits - use a smaller plate (smaller portion), eat slowly, don't watch TV and eat (mindless eating), drink lots of Water every day, eat mostly high protein/low carb (50 % Protein 50% produce), eliminate (or at least drastically reduce) bread, Pasta and rice. Prepare - have healthy foods available at all times, eat 4-6 small meals with 3 hours in between (don't let yourself get too hungry where you'll eat anything in front of you).

The 6 months does seem like a long time - but use this time to your advantage. This surgery is more mental than it is physical. I went to a psychologist who worked in my Bariatric Program so she was familiar with bariatric patients but also how I will need to eat following surgery.

Good for you and your husband for getting this under control while you are still young and don't have the health problems that will come with obesity eventually.

My insurance required 6 months as well. I was told it's more so to help you prepare for what's coming and it allows you that time to get in the routine of what to expect once you have the surgery and is post op so it's easier for you and you're more successful without the struggle. I'm in month number 3 and it has gone by pretty quickly. I have lost 5 lbs with no exercise due to a bad back and now my knee is worse than when I started and I have been sidelined for the past month with it. Waiting for an MRI but I'm not going to let it get me down. I was not told that I have to lose or maintain just not gain. I have my 3rd weigh in on Monday and will ask as I'm already stressed since I haven't lost anything this month and just praying I don't gain anything. The hardest thing for me has been trying to get in all the Protein that's required and not drinking while eating. I've managed to not drink 30 mins before eating and 30 mins after but the not doing it while drinking is so hard for me.

As for tips and advice, I was told to use smaller plates, increase my protein 21-26 grams of protein per meal, eat protein first, then veggies and if I have room my healthy carbs. Also chew, chew, chew to the consistency of apple sauce.

Good luck to you and your husband.

My advice is GET STARTED! I lost 99 pounds during my six-month insurance-required pre-op diet. It was the very best thing that could have happened to me. I completely re-established my relationship with food and prepared myself for the physical and mental challenges of the surgery and the post-op diet. I am convinced that the ease with which I have transitioned to post-op and my continued weight loss success is because of all the work I did on the front end.

Best wishes to you!