Had to lose weight before my surgeon could band me

[cbreeden28 23]

I started my lap-band journey back in June 2010, but had to start over in April because I was unable to lose the needed weight to qualify for surgery. My hospital has a max BMI of 50 for band patients. I was at 52. All I needed to lose was like 15 pounds, but I couldn't do it. So, of course I forgot about everything and wound up gaining another 18 pounds. I decided in April I couldn't keep going like this. So, I went back to the doctor and we started the process over. My insurance requires 3 months supervised dieting. I started this at the end of April. I have since lost the 18 pounds I had gained. I'm now working again on those 15 pounds needed for surgery. It is SOOO hard. I'm using Myfitnesspal.com to track calories and exercise, but it seems I'm always over or close to my limit on the weekends. Weekends are my weakness. And why does food at restaurants have to be so high in calories. My husband took me out to lunch Saturday as a treat and I ordered light....so I thought. I got home to log my food and my meal was over 1500 calories!! So crazy. It totally ruined my day and I felt terrible. The next day I just went back to my healthy eating, but it still seemed like I completely ruined everything with that meal.

In 2 weeks, I go to my last weigh in for the 3 month diet, but I know I won't be at my goal. My doctor said that I will lose some on the pre-op diet, but I would still like to be really close to my goal before booking surgery. Hopefully, I will be able to lose the needed weight while waiting on insurance approval. I'm shooting to get banded late August/early September.

My problem is I love the taste of food. Even if I'm full, I will want more because it tastes so good. This is why I have continued gaining weight my whole life. It's a vicious cycle that I want to end. I hope the LapBand will help me do that. I can't wait to start my journey, but I'm really struggling with trying to get to that point. Anyone else have to lose weight prior to surgery and struggle with it?

[brenda62 47]

I started my lap-band journey back in June 2010, but had to start over in April because I was unable to lose the needed weight to qualify for surgery. My hospital has a max BMI of 50 for band patients. I was at 52. All I needed to lose was like 15 pounds, but I couldn't do it. So, of course I forgot about everything and wound up gaining another 18 pounds. I decided in April I couldn't keep going like this. So, I went back to the doctor and we started the process over. My insurance requires 3 months supervised dieting. I started this at the end of April. I have since lost the 18 pounds I had gained. I'm now working again on those 15 pounds needed for surgery. It is SOOO hard. I'm using Myfitnesspal.com to track calories and exercise, but it seems I'm always over or close to my limit on the weekends. Weekends are my weakness. And why does food at restaurants have to be so high in calories. My husband took me out to lunch Saturday as a treat and I ordered light....so I thought. I got home to log my food and my meal was over 1500 calories!! So crazy. It totally ruined my day and I felt terrible. The next day I just went back to my healthy eating, but it still seemed like I completely ruined everything with that meal.

In 2 weeks, I go to my last weigh in for the 3 month diet, but I know I won't be at my goal. My doctor said that I will lose some on the pre-op diet, but I would still like to be really close to my goal before booking surgery. Hopefully, I will be able to lose the needed weight while waiting on insurance approval. I'm shooting to get banded late August/early September.

My problem is I love the taste of food. Even if I'm full, I will want more because it tastes so good. This is why I have continued gaining weight my whole life. It's a vicious cycle that I want to end. I hope the LapBand will help me do that. I can't wait to start my journey, but I'm really struggling with trying to get to that point. Anyone else have to lose weight prior to surgery and struggle with it?

As you go forward with lapband remember it is only a tool. You will see people tell you this all over this site, and believe me it is true. You have good weeks and bad weeks, some weeks you do not lose at all. It is hard work to lose weight anyway you do it, be prepared to work hard when you get your lapband. I am three months out and I go to curves 5 days a week, ride by bike 7 miles aday, six days a week and walk on my lunch hour at work. I have to plan out my meals ahead of time so I am always eating right. Be open to trying new recipes, I have found all kinds of good ones that my family even likes. The good things will come with weight loss. I am down from 6 meds to 2. I have gone from a size 26 to a18, I have more energy and feel so much better about myself. It is very much worth the struggle you are going through right now to get on with your new life. Good luck

[ReJoyce 1]

I understand. I have to do the 3 month thing too. I am at my second visit now and I am sure I haven't lost anything. I am just so hungry. I shoot for wise choices, but miss it just enough to not lose. I guess this is the whole point of lapband. To give me a fighting chance. I can't lose eating too much of the healthy stuff either. Right now I am so hungry and have to figure out what to do to keep from eating the grocery store when I leave.

[BaileyRose 13]

I had to lose the same ad you. I started out with s BMI of 52... Now I'm at 48.7. Currently waiting on my insurance approval. It's hard. Honestly, I lost only 5 lbs during the 3 month period and I've lost the rest on the pre-op diet. I think I have the easy way out though. I can have Protein whenever I want... Just little to no carbs. I cheated last night and ate a bagel. Agh.... That's the first time I've cheated and I could kick myself! I weighed myself this morning and gained 4.5 lbs. NEVER AGAIN!

Your doctor's right though.... You'll lose plenty during the pre-op diet. I was too nervous to chance it though so I started a week early. Try cutting out the carbs now... You'll be shocked with how fast you'll shed off some pounds. Good luck!