Feeling discouraged..

[LisaLou30 34]

Today I had my second supervised appointment with my doctor and per their scale I have lost 4 pounds in a month. However on my scale at home I am down 9.5 pounds. I am frustrated at this since my surgeon reviews the weight sent in from my doctor. I don't weigh my self naked so I know it is not clothes weight.

I have been doing high Protein low carb, I track everything and exercising everyday.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH....

I have to lose 28 pounds before surgery and I am feeling very discouraged. Anyone else have this problem?

Thanks for listening!

[jessiquoi 623]

oh boy, do i. according to my scale, i was down 10 lbs at my second weigh in, but according to theirs i hadn't lost an ounce since my first weigh in (when i lost 5.6). they were not very supportive and i felt kind of almost threatened that i wouldn't have the surgery. my final weigh in is TODAY and i'm so unsure about what they will find. i'm wearing my lightest outfit, and i've hardly eaten in two days lol.

however. i called my insurance carrier and asked them for their requirements, and it turns out that as far as they're concerned, i only have to show no gain during my three month period. so i'm kind of not so worried as i was.

i would suggest you do the same, and make sure you understand what are the requirements for your insurer, and what are your surgeon's personal requirements. it may make a difference to the way you feel too.

[LisaLou30 34]

oh boy, do i. according to my scale, i was down 10 lbs at my second weigh in, but according to theirs i hadn't lost an ounce since my first weigh in (when i lost 5.6). they were not very supportive and i felt kind of almost threatened that i wouldn't have the surgery. my final weigh in is TODAY and i'm so unsure about what they will find. i'm wearing my lightest outfit, and i've hardly eaten in two days lol.

however. i called my insurance carrier and asked them for their requirements, and it turns out that as far as they're concerned, i only have to show no gain during my three month period. so i'm kind of not so worried as i was.

i would suggest you do the same, and make sure you understand what are the requirements for your insurer, and what are your surgeon's personal requirements. it may make a difference to the way you feel too.

Thanks for your reply! My insurance is the same as yours however my surgeon requires a 10% weight loss to have the surgery done. He feels that you need to show the commitment before surgery. I just emailed his office to see if they have any suggestions on what I should do.

[jessiquoi 623]

wow, 10% is harsh! my surgeon just says 5%. i mean, i understand them wanting to see us really try, but i can't understand withholding surgery from someone because they can't do what they've been trying to do their whole life! i actually ambushed the surgeon's practice manager after she did one of the monthly support group meetings and told her how discouraged i was after my second weigh in, and she comforted me and told me not to worry, that as long as it is obvious that i've made an attempt (like losing half), they'll accept it. maybe your surgeon does the same thing? i'm glad you emailed them, it's good to know the "real" rules. let us know what they say!

[MisforMimi 760]

I'm at the end of my 6 month supervised weight loss and I was supposed to be at 258 by Thursday! I lost and hovered and gained and lost during this time and I am 1.8 pounds over my target mark. I'm having to do the dieting gymnastics to get there!!! Hopefully, I won't ever have to do that again. Just keep doing what you know to do and you will get there! Good Luck!

[old_rn 110]

I too had to lose 10% and it took me 7 weeks to get it done. I was beyond vigilant with my diet and drank a TON of Water daily. I haven't had any fruit since June, no bread, Cereal, or Pasta and no potatoes peas or corn. I am 1 month post op and very leery of even trying fruit and approved veggies. If you are close to the goal they set for you go online and read how athletes make weight. I had it printed and ready to go but didn't need to use it. Good luck and know it can be done. Hang in there.

[LisaLou30 34]

I just spoke with my surgeon and he told me to just keep doing what I am doing and that he is not worried at all. He told me that he is proud of the changes I have made and knows that it will pay off.

It makes me feel a little better.

[vanillayo 1]

I will have to lose 10% but will be on the 4 week Optifast diet and they said that most end up losing more than the 10%.

[leenieceymic1 90]

I just had my office visit yesterday & my doctor didn't tell me that I had to lose a certain amount if weight. I've lost since I first started. I'm on a 2 wk liquid diet. But I just thought it was odd that he didn't tell me to lose a certain amount of weight.

[Quest4TheNewMe 225]

I have to lose 10% pre-op too and I'm only about 7 lbs short after 2 months. Hoping to have surgery in about 6 weeks (final nut visit is on Tuesday). I'm eating high protein/low carb. I've been wondering if the 2-week liquid diet would be included in the calc or if I have to lose the full 10% before starting the liquid diet...

[angierue 214]

I'm also a 10%'er! My clinic didn't require it to show you can do it, it's for health reasons. It shrinks your liver and lowers your risk of complications during and after surgery.

I get that it's hard. I've been on mine since August 25th and wasn't as vigilant I should have been so I'm going hard core now. Just remember that there's a reason other than just proving you can do it that your surgeon asks for it.

I leave for Vegas in the morning. If I can survive three days of a girls trip (my birthday/friends bachelorette party) then I know I'm ready for this lifelong change!

Good luck to everyone and remember that no matter how hard it seems, it'll all be worth it in the end!

[angierue 214]

Adding: My dietician put me on a really strict plan that should have me losing a pound a day. As of this morning, I've lost 10 pounds since Tuesday! I have followed it to the letter.

I'm trying to make my required goal by the 15th of October so they'll schedule my surgery for the 4th of November. I have 20.7 pounds to go!

[LisaLou30 34]

Adding: My dietician put me on a really strict plan that should have me losing a pound a day. As of this morning, I've lost 10 pounds since Tuesday! I have followed it to the letter.

I'm trying to make my required goal by the 15th of October so they'll schedule my surgery for the 4th of November. I have 20.7 pounds to go!

what does your diet entail?

[angierue 214]

A Protein shake for Breakfast (it's got 30g Protein and only 7 carbs), no mid-morning snack because I usually have lunch 2-3 hours after Breakfast, a lean protein and veggies for lunch (no fruit, bread, rice, Pasta, or potatoes), another shake or other high protein/low carb snack (I've been having turkey and cheese roll ups), and another lean protein and veggies for dinner. No evening snack.

It's soooooo not easy but I drink lots of Water in between and chew sugar free gum to help with the urge to snack. I honestly haven't been that hungry and my meals have been real simple. I eat a lot of frozen green Beans as my veggie (I live alone, no kids) and chicken breast or tuna with only 1 tablespoon of mayo (can add mustard if you need it wetter). I use my crock pot to make the chicken a lot. Throw two breasts in with a half a jar of salsa (mango pineapple habanero is amazeballs) then eat one for dinner and the other for lunch the next day. I also bought a bag of salad and some amazing sugar free raspberry vinaigrette that I eat with a little cheese and some precooked frozen grilled chicken breast chunks. I keep it easy and simple!

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Gad, I really hate to hear about these crash diets some patients are put on to lose X% of weight prior to surgery.

It seems so counterproductive to me.

I can understand, completely, the benefit of going on a 1200 calorie diet, eating good Protein and veggies, gradually exercising more and more to get you into the groove of what life post-op will be like.

But this other crash-diet crap just reinforces old, terrible behaviors.

Obviously, I'm just stating my opinion and realize that others' mileage may vary.