I really hate to whine but I feel like this might turn into a venting, so I apologize in advance.

I just started my 3-month pre-op dr supervised diet as required by my insurance company and I'm not feeling so awesome. In the last month I've taken a lot of major steps towards getting the lap band surgery. I've attended the manditory seminar, had my consult with the surgeon, had my pyschological evaluation and started my 3-month pre-op and I was feeling really good about it. The last few days, however, I've not been feeling so awesome.

I think the discouragement started last week when my PCP put me on the south beach diet for three months. I know about the South Beach diet, I've done it before, I didn't like it. I'm not so good with the low-carb stuff, I do better with something like weight watchers. Anyway, I want to do everything right and I don't want to go against my doctor but I just hate the south beach diet! I the last week I have completely given up regular pop and have been watching my portions. I weighed myself last Monday and was 327. But tuesday when I went to the Surgeons office I was 330 and at the doctors office later on Tuesday I was 330. I don't know if my scale is just off (it's a new digital scale) or if the three pound difference could be attributed to the fact that I got my period Monday night (sorry guys!). When I weighed myself this past monday I was at 327 (on my scale). I was glad that I hadn't gained any weight but I thought I would have at least lost a pound!

I'm just so worried that I'm going to gain weight before the surgery and insurance will deny me. I want this so bad and so far everything has been going fairly smoothly, I'm just kind of waiting for the bottom to drop out.

Hi jessress87,

First of all, congratulations on starting this process. WTG!!!

Second, IMHO, there is a difference between the 3 month pre-op diet, as required by the insurance company, and the other, pre-op diet that so many people describe here the the Doctor needs you to follow, to shrink the liver, and other health benefits before surgery. You will get all the love and support out here on the forums, but the straight answer is, it is up to you to talk with your nut and doc about how you feel about the south beach diet. If you are looking for us to say, "its OK, you don't have to do it".... you are looking to the wrong group, for the wrong answer. Every doc has a different approach and program. If you are doing this for insurance requirements.... then just buckle down and get through it, because the prize at the end... (the band) is worth the effort. Again, my opinion is that the insurance is just looking to see, have you made any effort to loose weight without the cost of them paying for the lap band surgery. It is a business thing for them. If you loose weight, or not, is is just a hoop to jump through, to get the insurance approval. But, you have to talk with the doc and nut about how you are feeling, and if they have other options for you to meet this 3 month goal.

Take care, and keep up the positive attitude about the big picture.

Ken

you have to remember that this is for 3 months - not the rest of your life! Hang in there - this whole process can feel overwhelming at times, and I think that if you look at the END RESULT, it brings it back into perspective. It's really not about this three months, its about the entire journey! This is just a small part of your life, and three months down the road, you are going to be that much closer to having your surgery!

Talk to your nutritionist and see if there is another option for you - the worst thing they can say is "no" - the nutritionist is a vital part of your healthcare team, just as you are.

Hang in there!

Jess, I had to do 6 months supervised diet. They just told me how to eat correctly - they didn't put me on a specific diet. It was purely for insurance and honestly, I ate like crazy the last 6 months. Gained at least one pound every month. My isurance just does it to see if you are serious. 6 months of all kinds of stuff including what you eat everyday for 6 months (mine was a total fabrication). My BMI is 36. I have read the higher the BMI - the more weight the doc wants you to lose before surgery. I would find out if this is a insurance requirement or a doctor requirement,

If doing something as "simple" (said tongue in cheek) as the South Beech diet helped you loose weight - why would you need the lapband? My dr explained that the reason for these "Supervised" diets required by the insurance company was to rule out the possibility of you loosing weight through other means.

You know what your body is capable of. You know what you need to loose this weight (the lapband). You are now prooving that to your insurance company.

TDo not let your BMI fluctuate too much. try to stay steady. If you drop too low, or go too high, you will run the risk of being denied.

My first paragraph here, it's the most important. Keep this in mind when trying to diet, and do not drive yourself too crazy about this.

The pre-op diet is only a few weeks, and is to shrink the liver. That one is important. At that point, you need to buckle down and get focused and determined. But that is yet to come :thumbup:

Good luck!!

There is another point of view you need to consider.

If you think that once you have the Lap band in you that you won't have to diet any more, you are quite mistaken. You might think of the Band as a "Forced Diet", with the consequences for cheating often very painful.

"controlled eating" is something that the band HELPS you with...it really doesn't eliminate the dieting.

The point is that you NEED to get USED to eating in a controlled manner. If you cannot stick to a Dr or Insurance-precribed diet for a few months, then your chances of success with the Lap band are greatly diminished.

The Lap Band assists you in controlling your eating, but there are many, many ways to "cheat" with the Band. You still have to have self control, and personal resolve.

Don't look at this diet as bad thing; look at it as preparation for what is to come.

HH

Hey Jess, I too am on the pre-op diet, my doc requires it for surgery. I have to lose 15 pounds in 3 1/2 weeks, my band date is 11/25/09. I'm terrified I wont be able to make it. But I got some really good ideas from people who have been through this before (here at lapbandtalk). Just keep going girl, it's all going to be worth it in the end. Let us know how it's going, good luck.

There is another point of view you need to consider.

If you think that once you have the Lap band in you that you won't have to diet any more, you are quite mistaken. You might think of the Band as a "Forced Diet", with the consequences for cheating often very painful.

"controlled eating" is something that the band HELPS you with...it really doesn't eliminate the dieting.

The point is that you NEED to get USED to eating in a controlled manner. If you cannot stick to a Dr or Insurance-precribed diet for a few months, then your chances of success with the Lap band are greatly diminished.

The Lap Band assists you in controlling your eating, but there are many, many ways to "cheat" with the Band. You still have to have self control, and personal resolve.

Don't look at this diet as bad thing; look at it as preparation for what is to come.

HH

I realize of course that new eating habits come with the lap band. I also know that I am not going to have to do the South Beach diet with the lap band for the rest of my life. That's exactly why I've started my three-month supervised diet with eliminating regular pop and cutting back on portions.

Thanks everyone for your helpful input and support. I think I've been focusing too much on RIGHT now instead of what is down the road. I am just going to try to be smart about it and practice some of the eating habits I'll use with the band (like saying WHOA when I'm full!) and I'll be fine. Thanks again!