Not having success (pre op)

[Ladybug_rny 4]

I've been on my pre op diet for 40 days and I haven't been able to control my eating habits. I feel like a failure I did good for the first week I lost 10 pounds and after that I put the 7 back on and haven't lost anything since. The struggle is real I have one more visit before I've met my insurance requirements (total of three dietitian visits) and I feel like I must not be ready for my gastric bypass. I feel horrible. Question do you think I should voluntarily wait another 90 days?

Hw 310

Cw 307

Gw 135

[Diana_in_Philly 1,426]

Talk with a therapist. It is my guess that you are sabotaging yourself. There is a reason deep down you are doing this and your need to meet this issue head on before you have surgery. Surgery isn't a cure, but a tool, as I'm sure you know. Getting your head right about food is the other big part. Also, talk with your RD. Are you tracking your food intake? Write every bite down. Every bite - including tasting for seasoning while you are cooking. That might provide you with some insight as to where things are going wrong.

Best of luck

[PatientEleventyBillion 851]

The issue is your liver shrinking. If it's not shrunk enough, and if it's too saturated with fat surrounding it and is too slippery, there's a risk of them closing you up/pulling out the instruments and canceling or delaying it. The pre-op diet isn't for fun, it's to make the surgery safer to perform. I couldn't tell you whether or not your liver has shrunk sufficiently, but if you haven't been following the diet, maybe postpone until you can.

Edited May 28, 2017 by PatientEleventyBillion

[jersey0601 99]

The struggle is real - I get so sick of hearing that the surgery is a tool... but is is very true

I would postpone only so you can get " more ready" for success once the restriction is less and more reliance on your food choices

I know where you are now - and if you go ahead, I can guarantee you will lose some weight- but if you truly want to get to goal weight - you may need to get more control over food choices

Can I ask if you are walking or doing any activities while on

[Ladybug_rny 4]

The issue is your liver shrinking. If it's not shrunk enough, and if it's too saturated with fat surrounding it and is too slippery, there's a risk of them closing you up/pulling out the instruments and canceling or delaying it. The pre-op diet isn't for fun, it's to make the surgery safer to perform. I couldn't tell you whether or not your liver has shrunk sufficiently, but if you haven't been following the diet, maybe postpone until you can.

I'm not on the liver shrinking diet I'm on the diet the dietitian put me on while I meet my three visits required by insurance. I think I would do better on the liquid diet to shrink my liver than this because I know that's major. Some people say have funerals during this time but I really would like to lose as much weight as possible before the operation. I do good during the day and I slip at night time I think it's making dinner for the family. But I just read to eat before I cook for the family.

[Ladybug_rny 4]

The struggle is real - I get so sick of hearing that the surgery is a tool... but is is very true

I would postpone only so you can get " more ready" for success once the restriction is less and more reliance on your food choices

I know where you are now - and if you go ahead, I can guarantee you will lose some weight- but if you truly want to get to goal weight - you may need to get more control over food choices

Can I ask if you are walking or doing any activities while on

I haven't been doing any exercise. I suffer from depression and anxiety and I spend majority of my day sleeping when my children are at school. I normally skip Breakfast and lunch and have late dinner and then I graze during the late night. The dietitian said have Protein Shake for breakfast eat lunch and have dinner and I could have two Snacks and since she said that I seem to be hungry now during the day and I do pretty good but night has always been my problem. I think it's all mental because I don't over eat I just have no activity and don't make healthy choices.

[Ladybug_rny 4]

Talk with a therapist. It is my guess that you are sabotaging yourself. There is a reason deep down you are doing this and your need to meet this issue head on before you have surgery. Surgery isn't a cure, but a tool, as I'm sure you know. Getting your head right about food is the other big part. Also, talk with your RD. Are you tracking your food intake? Write every bite down. Every bite - including tasting for seasoning while you are cooking. That might provide you with some insight as to where things are going wrong.
Best of luck

I think it is psychological. I think for some reason I'm making this harder than it should be. I don't normally over eat I just have no activity and I don't choose the healthiest things.I think I will look into a therapist because I want to be prepared so I can succeed with my journey.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

If losing weight was easy pre-op people would not have surgery.

Stop beating yourself up, that is only going to make your depression and anxiety worse. If you take meds for those, those meds make you hungry. I'm surprised you are having RNY with the conditions, most shrinks say they cannot manage your meds post-op because of restriction and are against RNY in favor of other options that don't have malabsorption.

If you know you want to eat instead of not eating and feeling hungry or eating the wrong things keep good options around. Deli meat, grilled meat cut into chips, Protein Bars, Quest chips. There are all kinds of things you can eat and stay on track.

[Ladybug_rny 4]

If losing weight was easy pre-op people would not have surgery.
Stop beating yourself up, that is only going to make your depression and anxiety worse. If you take meds for those, those meds make you hungry. I'm surprised you are having RNY with the conditions, most shrinks say they cannot manage your meds post-op because of restriction and are against RNY in favor of other options that don't have malabsorption.
If you know you want to eat instead of not eating and feeling hungry or eating the wrong things keep good options around. Deli meat, grilled meat cut into chips, Protein Bars, Quest chips. There are all kinds of things you can eat and stay on track.

Thank you for your advice. This last week I have stayed on track by doing exactly that having healthy things ready to snack on like yogurt and deli meat and it seems to be working and I have actually lost a couple pounds! I spoke with my dietitian and she said it's normal to get hungry when your metabolism is starting to work correctly after so long with skipping meals and my body being in starvation mode. Thanks again [emoji4]

[PatientEleventyBillion 851]

On 5/28/2017 at 8:32 PM, Ladybug_rny said:

I'm not on the liver shrinking diet I'm on the diet the dietitian put me on while I meet my three visits required by insurance. I think I would do better on the liquid diet to shrink my liver than this because I know that's major. Some people say have funerals during this time but I really would like to lose as much weight as possible before the operation. I do good during the day and I slip at night time I think it's making dinner for the family. But I just read to eat before I cook for the family.

What diet? The whole premise of the pre-operative diet is to shrink the liver.. so it would be an utter surprise not to be on a diet that's viewed to accomplish this.

[Ladybug_rny 4]

What diet? The whole premise of the pre-operative diet is to shrink the liver.. so it would be an utter surprise not to be on a diet that's viewed to accomplish this.

I'm talking about a standard diet not the LRD that's the diet right before the surgery. I'm talking about the basic diet from the dietitian months before surgery. The LRD is very important in preparing you for operation.

[crocodoxie 223]

Have you tried flipping your eating schedule upside down, so you're having your shake while doing dinner, so you don't graze? Sometimes, it takes new perspective or distraction to work around old habits. Hang in there. Also, i found I do better writing everything down -- ex: My Fitness Pal. Get excited...try to rev yourself up and remember why you're here. I know it can be difficult, but taking a good luck at your feelings might help you get back on track.

[setchcampos 2]

Hi Ladybug!

I just joined, so not sure if you decided to continue with surgery as planned. Just wanted you to know you're not alone and that I struggled to lose the amount my team requested during my 6 mo. wait. A therapist is so, so important! (Before and after surgery.) You should be able to find someone that specializes in working with bariatric surgery patients as well as anxiety/depression. If you are taking psychotropic meds make sure you are also seeing a psychiatrist - they can help manage the potential medication transitions after surgery. (Primary care physicians don't always have enough experience with psych meds.) I'm still working to get my meds right - but everyday I feel a little better.

Thinking of you and hoping for confidence and success as you move through this process! You can do it!

[jessgnc 167]

I am also curious what you chose to do Ladybug! I hope you postponed. It sounded like you had a lot of unresolved issues you should work on first, before having a major life altering surgery.

The whole repetitive mantra of "this is a tool" thing is SO true. Just like having a hammer, this surgery only works if you use it. If you try to hang a picture with your fist and the hammer is sitting on the table next to you, it doesn't do a lot of good. If you have the surgery and aren't in a mental state where you can use the tool properly, it might work a little but it won't be a long term life change.