I am having such a difficult time loosing weight pre-op is not even funny. Has anyone experienced this phenomenon it can be due to anxiety, bad patterns of eating etc. can you share you experience and how did you overcome it?

Edited September 13, 20214 yr by EsojLabina

I experienced weight gain pre op and it was because I was mourning the future loss of food. I ate things I shouldn’t because I was worried I would never be able to have them again. I did manage to lose the extra weight really quick on the pre op diet but I probably could have lost more had I not had all the food funerals. One thing that may be helpful in avoiding that is that if there is a food you have an intolerance for post op most likely you will also develop a taste aversion for it so it’s not like you will be craving it and never be able to eat it again. I didn't realize that so I wanted to eat everything I loved one last time before surgery and I packed on the pounds.

1 minute ago, ShoppGirl said:

I experienced weight gain pre op and it was because I was mourning the future loss of food. I ate things I shouldn’t because I was worried I would never be able to have them again. I did manage to lose the extra weight really quick on the pre op diet but I probably could have lost more had I not had all the food funerals. One thing that may be helpful in avoiding that is that if there is a food you have an intolerance for post op most likely you will also develop a taste aversion for it so it’s not like you will be craving it and never be able to eat it again. I didn't realize that so I wanted to eat everything I loved one last time before surgery and I packed on the pounds.

@ShoppGirl this gives me hope in terms that I not alone with this struggle. It is so frustrating smh thank you for sharing this.

18 hours ago, EsojLabina said:

can you share you experience and how did you overcome it?

I couldn't budge the scale the first three months, no matter how few calories I ate. Every time I managed to lose a pound, it would show back up within two days, sometimes bringing a buddy with it. It was incredibly frustrating to be eating cabbage instead of cake and not losing. What finally overcame it was making sure I drank at least half a gallon of fluids every day. My weight loss is still much slower than is reasonable to expect, but at least the gaining seems to have stopped (knocking on wood).

2 hours ago, FutureSylph said:

I couldn't budge the scale the first three months, no matter how few calories I ate. Every time I managed to lose a pound, it would show back up within two days, sometimes bringing a buddy with it. It was incredibly frustrating to be eating cabbage instead of cake and not losing. What finally overcame it was making sure I drank at least half a gallon of fluids every day. My weight loss is still much slower than is reasonable to expect, but at least the gaining seems to have stopped (knocking on wood).

@FutureSylph ? very Interesting indeed. Some are affected by not getting enough sleep, other by anxiety, even with something that we might think is that simple as your fluid intake is really not that simple. What I have learn from this forum is work with my team to find that zone that works for me. I really appreciate you taking out of your time and provide me with this feedback. Thank you.

In my program (MGH in Boston), the pre-op period was less about weight loss and more about building healthy habits. They told me to focus on protein and fiber with every meal and snack, make sure I didn't go more than 5 hours without eating, and sip on water all day long. I'll say it was very helpful to me. And once I filled up on the protein and fiber, a lot of the foods I thought I was going to miss just weren't an issue. Until the 2 week pre-op liver shrinking diet started. Then everyone looked like a walking breadstick or slice of pizza to me.

4 minutes ago, KDBaker said:

In my program (MGH in Boston), the pre-op period was less about weight loss and more about building healthy habits. They told me to focus on Protein and Fiber with every meal and snack, make sure I didn't go more than 5 hours without eating, and sip on Water all day long. I'll say it was very helpful to me. And once I filled up on the protein and fiber, a lot of the foods I thought I was going to miss just weren't an issue. Until the 2 week pre-op liver shrinking diet started. Then everyone looked like a walking breadstick or slice of pizza to me.

@KDBaker is was the “walking ? and ?” best comment ever.

Edited September 16, 20214 yr by EsojLabina

Just now, EsojLabina said:

@KDBaker is was the “walking ? and ?” best comment ever.

I feel like then it was because I wasn't allowed to have any bread or pasta, even rice or quinoa. It was just lean proteins and vegetables.

i think daily exercise and yoga are the most important part of life

I gained weight during my pre op thanks to the inept nutritionist. I lost 18lbs the first month on my own diet and he insisted what I was doing (low carb) was wrong and not sustainable long term. I followed his plan to a T and just kept gaining and gaining. My surgeon told me I could stay the same weight but not gain, so I ended up going 1-2 days a week with zero food just to be sure I’d keep my weight the same for weight ins for pre op. It was a horrible experience and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I was accused of lying about my food intake, had my phone ripped out of my hand while the nutritionist went through my fitness pal trying to find something to throw in my face on what I was doing wrong. He concluded my weight gain was due to the protein bar I was eating for breakfast because he didn’t know the macros (it was on my tracking app and I showed him the physical bar in my purse). Instead, he said I must eat quest bars that were higher cal and less protein. Talk about an eye roll. My last visit with him ended in him telling me I was lying about having a surgery date and me almost leaving in tears.

@Soon2bFit21 what ? a horrible ? experience. Omg ? hopefully you can a better nutritionist

On 9/25/2021 at 12:43 PM, rockeyyyadav said:

i think daily exercise and yoga are the most important part of life

I completely agree with your statement

On 09/28/2021 at 12:19, EsojLabina said:

@Soon2bFit21 what ? a horrible ? experience. Omg ? hopefully you can a better nutritionist

Thankfully I’m almost 6 months post op and didn’t have to deal with that Nutritionist any longer after that infamous last appointment.

Just now, Soon2bFit21 said:

Thankfully I’m almost 6 months post op and didn’t have to deal with that Nutritionist any longer after that infamous last appointment.

What a relief indeed. Awesome to know. And how is it going for now. I am excited I was cleared today by my surgeon now we are submitting to the insurance. Hopefully my next month I have my surgery day.

5 hours ago, EsojLabina said:

Hopefully my next month I have my surgery day.

Woohoo! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that it's smooth sailing from here on out.

8 minutes ago, FutureSylph said:

Woohoo! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that it's smooth sailing from here on out.

Thank you.