I am only one month into my 6 month pre op program. I finally got to speak with my nurse that knows the ins and out of insurance. She said I don’t have to lose a certain amount of weight, which I knew, but she said I can’t gain. I’m eating better, but I keep gaining and losing the same two pounds, and right now I’m on my period, so I’m sure that has a lot to do with it, but do they not take into account water retention and genuinely things that aren’t really within our control? I only drink water and I sweeter decaf tea. I drink 64 oz a day. Plus my protein shakes.

I am just terrified if I go in and I’ve gained even an oz, they’re going to kick me out of the program, even if I’ve been losing up until that point. I’m struggling mentally with all of this. Anybody have any advice or word to calm my nerves? You all have been wonderful in answering all of my questions.

I have Indiana hip plus ( Medicaid) if that matters.

Edited June 26, 20233 yr by Eyoung222

You got this! You've got 5 months to go! I would ask them exactly what you're concerned about: what if I'm 1 or 2 pounds over? I have a patient care coordinator who helped me with a lot of my questions. Does your surgeon have something similar?

10 years ago I had major surgery (an ovarian cyst roughly the size of a gall9n of milk plus a gall bladder that was completely shot) and I was opened from above my navel as far down as they could go.Because of my size, I ended up with a wound vac. The pain was rough. I developed a mantra as I breathed through sharp pains from getting up, sitting down, etc. "Today is better than yesterday and tomorrow will be better than today." It helped me a lot, even on the days it wasn't true. ?

You've got this!

My surgeon wanted me to lose 10-12 pounds, before surgery. They put me on Ozempic and that gave my body the little boost it needed, to start the weight loss. I lost 13 pounds on the Ozempic and when I had to stop taking it (because the clinic couldn't get any more samples and I couldn't afford it).

They gave me a Rx for naltrexone and Wellbutrin, that seemed to help me stay on track and not gain. I had 4 months between the last of the Ozempic and my day of surgery.

Maybe ask your team if there's anything that you can try. I was on OHP at the time (Oregon's version of Medicaid). They wouldn't cover the Ozempic, but they did cover both the naltrexone and Wellbutrin.

I'd be surprised if they weren't accepting of a 1-2 lb gain (if that's all it is) since people's weight fluctuates every day (in fact, MORE than once a day!). But if you're really worried, you could always do low sodium or low carb for a few days before you're weighed since either of those would rid you of excess water (which is what usually causes those temporary fluctuations).