3kg to lose before surgery... any help?

[AMJ2598 23]

Hi all,

After my prior post regarding the complaint I had - I finally have my surgery date for the 28th of this month, after almost 5 years since my first GP consultation about the sleeve (yippee!).

With that being said however, they gave me 4 weeks notice because they now want me to lose another 3.5kg pre-surgery. For context, I was 135kg at my highest, they wanted me to stay below 130kg, and I'm now 124kg. They didn't give me a reason why, I have always had ok blood test results, I'm not pre-diabetic or anything either. The last consultation I had in-person with my surgeon also said 130kg would be fine, so again, don't really understand the change.

Believe me when I say, my diet is STRICT. I'm on 1000 calories a day, high Protein, super low carb (less than 40g per day easily), lots of Water (at least 2 litres minimum), and an average of 10-15k steps per day, with at least one hike per week. I've been doing this for the last couple of weeks, but I am really really struggling to get this last few kg's off beforehand. No sugar - no fruit, nothing.

I really think my PCOS is not helping the situation, but I'm really worried in the event I'm not at the 121kg they want. I have been that weight recently, I was down to 119kg this time last year with the help of Saxenda, which I then had to stop taking in June because every pharmacy I could order from were sold out. I haven't been on it since, so the fact I have maintained this weight loss honestly I'm just pleased with at this point.

If anyone has any ideas as to how I could lose this last 6lbs or so, I would be greatly appreciative. I've lost 0.5kg so far over the past 4-5 days, but I'm so stressed I'll get to the hospital and they'll turn me away.

Thank you! x

[NickelChip 1,358]

How frustrating when you're already doing so much! All I can offer is my experience with my pre-op liquid diet. For the weeks, I had 3 Protein Shakes per day, sugar-free Jello, broth, and the occasional sugar-free popsicle. Averaged around 600 calories per day and around 20 carbs or less per day. It was effective, if not pleasant. I lost about 6.8 kg in 2 weeks.

[Arabesque 7,573]

It’s almost like they’ve conveniently forgotten you’ve lost your pre surgical weight & are just telling you to lose more as per their set playbook. I also love how they’re telling you to lose weight but aren’t supporting & guiding you in how to do it. Where’s their pre surgical diet? Where’s the referral to a dietician??

Like @NickelChip, I would suggest the three shake a day pre surgical diet many are given. Or do two shakes & one meal of 3 or 4 ozs Protein & 1/2 cup steamed vegetables or undressed salad.

All the best.

[AMJ2598 23]

12 hours ago, Arabesque said:

16 hours ago, NickelChip said:

How frustrating when you're already doing so much! All I can offer is my experience with my pre-op liquid diet. For the weeks, I had 3 Protein Shakes per day, sugar-free Jello, broth, and the occasional sugar-free popsicle. Averaged around 600 calories per day and around 20 carbs or less per day. It was effective, if not pleasant. I lost about 6.8 kg in 2 weeks.

It’s almost like they’ve conveniently forgotten you’ve lost your pre surgical weight & are just telling you to lose more as per their set playbook. I also love how they’re telling you to lose weight but aren’t supporting & guiding you in how to do it. Where’s their pre surgical diet? Where’s the referral to a dietician??

Like @NickelChip, I would suggest the three shake a day pre surgical diet many are given. Or do two shakes & one meal of 3 or 4 ozs Protein & 1/2 cup steamed vegetables or undressed salad.

All the best.

So I begin my pre-op diet in just over a weeks time, but to be honest I'm just really worried it won't get rid of the weight I need. My calorie count and nutrition is already so similar to what they want me to do, and I'm still struggling. I have an appointment next week to get some pre-op tests done, presumably weight and bloods etc, and even then I'm petrified if the number is even slightly above what they need, that'll be it.

Other than a straight up Water and broth fast, I really am stuck on what to do! I will be on all-liquids for the pre-op diet which is fine, but it's difficult to not get hung up on the fact they've drilled into my head that I MUST hit a certain number, regardless of my loss already.

[NickelChip 1,358]

I would start now, and cut what you are already doing in half. Max of 500 calories and 20 carbs daily. Find Protein supplements with 0g fat and carb. I know several of the powders are just 23g or so of protein and nothing else, and around 90 calories. Get in at least 5k steps a day. If three weeks of that doesn't knock off 3.5kg, I'm not sure what will.

[Spinoza 1,503]

OK. I would email the person saying you need to lose this set amount well in advance. Set out your loss to date. Explain what the surgeon told you and how you formed a reasonable expectation that anything under 130kg and you would be good to go. Explain that you have been restricting your diet in the expectation of a surgery date and that your loss since referral is actually 11kg, far in excess of the required 3.5kg.

I hope that you CAN lose something ahead of your date but I think stacking up the evidence about the conflicting advice you've been given might give you grounds to complain if you're turned down. Don't wait till the day of surgery to say all of this. Call them out right now on what they're asking.

Edited March 5, 2024 by Spinoza

[AMJ2598 23]

14 hours ago, Spinoza said:

OK. I would email the person saying you need to lose this set amount well in advance. Set out your loss to date. Explain what the surgeon told you and how you formed a reasonable expectation that anything under 130kg and you would be good to go. Explain that you have been restricting your diet in the expectation of a surgery date and that your loss since referral is actually 11kg, far in excess of the required 3.5kg.

I hope that you CAN lose something ahead of your date but I think stacking up the evidence about the conflicting advice you've been given might give you grounds to complain if you're turned down. Don't wait till the day of surgery to say all of this. Call them out right now on what they're asking.

Thank you! So far I have lost around 3lbs in 4/5 days so I'm feeling okay about it, but not without struggling for sure.

I did email my nutritionist (who is the one who told me this information) to be told she just put it down to 'what she thought my surgeon would want'... very vague.

[summerseeker 2,361]

14 hours ago, Spinoza said:

OK. I would email the person saying you need to lose this set amount well in advance. Set out your loss to date. Explain what the surgeon told you and how you formed a reasonable expectation that anything under 130kg and you would be good to go. Explain that you have been restricting your diet in the expectation of a surgery date and that your loss since referral is actually 11kg, far in excess of the required 3.5kg.

I hope that you CAN lose something ahead of your date but I think stacking up the evidence about the conflicting advice you've been given might give you grounds to complain if you're turned down. Don't wait till the day of surgery to say all of this. Call them out right now on what they're asking.

This is great advice. I would also ask to speak to the surgeon and clarify the information the rest of his team are giving you.

You are on a very restricted diet already, your body will not drop more weight easily without time. Its wrong of them to expect this. Speak out.