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

Recommended Posts

My Dr has just sent my referral in. My BMI is 50! Is it ok to start working towards weight loss now..before orientation. For example exercising..eating better and smaller amounts. Will it effect approval for surgery?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

absolutely - start now! I did and I was really glad I did. I lost 57 lbs before I was rolled into the operating room. And at a BMI of 50, there's no way it's going to affect your approval. Unless you're using some really unhealthy approach to lose weight pre-surgery, you're not going to get down below a 40 (or 35) BMI by then.

plus, eating better and exercising will ease you in to the post-op way of life so it won't seem so radical once you've had surgery. You'll be used to at least some of it. I started eating more Protein, fewer carbs, and fewer calories post op (my dietitian had me eat 2300 or fewer calories). I also took the time to gradually wean myself off coffee and soda then - and practiced waiting 30 minutes after eating to drink anything. And I started an exercise program. I think it was very helpful and eased the transition into post-op life.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Check with your team/insurance policy to make sure your approval will not be affected by weightloss prior to surgery. Otherwise, they may suggest you start now anyway.

Congratulations in advance 💜

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Absolutely you should start now. Start eating like you're going to be eating post-surgery with small meals. Go ahead and get as much exercise as you can.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What everyone else said....YES... do it now. The pre-op process is long and designed for you to learn new eating habits. That way, once you do make it to surgery, you're ready and armed with what you need to succeed post-op. It's hard, but totally worth it once you come out the other side of that operating room.

Good luck on your new journey!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes - the sooner, the better. The industry standard is for approval with a BMI of 40 or above (35 with comorbidities such as hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes, etc.), so you have lots of margin to play with before worrying about that.

My suggestion is to look far ahead in driving your diet - how should you be eating in 5-10 years to maintain your weight and health, rather than worrying too much about an extra pound or two this month; you will likely lose a fair bit of weight just by making these long term changes, as most of the "diet" plans for weight loss yield short term loss that comes back when you stop. You want to learn how to eat to keep it off in the long term.

If possible, work with an RD (dietician, nutritionist) to help you transition - a good RD will work within your tastes and preferences to improve your diet, and help drive your tastes in a healthier direction. The WLS clinic will probably have RDs on staff, or you can find one at your local hospital, Clinics may have very structured pre-op programs, or flexible ones; do what you can to think long term.

Good luck...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Since I am close to that 35 BMI with co morbidities, I asked the nurse the question of, “what if I lost weight and was under 35 BMI?” She said that the weight that is used is the first weight they took when the process began. Idk if that is standard practice.

I’m trying to make changes and I have lost about 8 lbs so far. I’d sure like to lose even more but I’m not hard core dieting. Just making changes suggested by NUT.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Every lb will make surgery safer

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

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 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

    ×