Not losing enough on pre-op diet

[lauraellen80 855]

I'm on day 7 of my 2-week pre-op diet (3-5 Protein Shakes, plus broth, SF Jello, SF popsicles, and non-starchy veggies). I've been getting about 650-800 calories a day, about 100 g of Protein, and getting all my Water in. But I've only lost 3 or 4 pounds so far.

I see on these boards that most people lose 1-2 pounds a day on the pre-op diet, and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I have not cheated at all, but I will admit that I skipped water aerobics twice this past week because I've felt tired, weak, and dizzy with activity.

I'm worried that this doesn't bode well for my weight loss post-surgery.

Is a negligible pre-op weight loss indicative that surgery won't work for me, either? Or is there something that I'm screwing up?

[Veronica Page 488]

Is your doctor or insurance requiring you to lose a certain amount of weight or is it more to make sure that you have no weight gain for liver enlargement issues? Mine was so my liver did not get larger and not for the weight loss. I only lost 10 lbs on my MONTH long pre-op. Just double check with your surgeon and Nut. If you are truly doing everything you can then don't beat yourself up. We all don't lose the same.

[lauraellen80 855]

@@Veronica Page, it's the standard pre-op diet my surgeon requires to shrink your liver for surgery. They didn't give me any specific goals or how much to lose, but I'm just worried that if I'm not losing very much with this diet, I won't have any success after surgery, especially when I go back to solid foods. And it's frustrating to be so hungry and miserable without having anything to show for it.

[Veronica Page 488]

Yea I see how you are worried and believe me I'm a SLOW loser. I went two years without bread, soda, or sugar in my diet. I lost the total of 10 lbs. Pathetic. I had my pre op only lost 10 lbs. Now I'm 4 almost 5 months out and I've lost 70 lbs. Don't stress. This is a body reboot basically. You will learn how to eat correctly in portion size and in a cleaner way. I'm sure you did not just magically put this weight on in a matter of months. It took time and you will need time to lose it as well. Be positive. I was so down about me probably not losing weight, but I feel fine with the progress I'm making even though when I stall I whine and moan. Be strong and we are here for you!

Edited June 10, 2015 by Veronica Page

[liannatx 897]

3 lbs in a week is normal healthy loss. In my opinion, expecting a loss of 7-14 lbs a week is setting yourself up for disappointment.

[Debbie623 65]

I don't have any answers from experience. I am scheduled for surgery on June 23. Your body is adjusting to a new food experience. Give it time, and don't worry so much about numbers. They will come. Maybe your shouldn't weigh yourslef as often so you can see more success? I know, that's easy for me to say. Good luck. I am excited to hear how you do!

[Kushka 36]

Hello! Thank you for posting the exact same question I had. I lost three pounds total on my Atkins two-week post-op and I'm starting shakes only tomorrow for the last two weeks before sleeve surgery on 6/22/15.

However, with my history of a chronic yo-yo dieter, I'm not all that surprised at my numbers.

I LOVE the "body reboot" comment above. I'm going to focus on that and hope for the best.

[lauraellen80 855]

Okay, so despite the encouraging words here, I've continued to worry and obsess over my minimal weight loss on my pre-op diet (still only about 4 pounds so far). So I called my surgeon's office and talked to the PA. She said that they don't have any specific amount they want me to lose before surgery, it's just to shrink my liver. She also said that if I weighed 500 pounds, I would be more likely to see a bigger drop, but with a lower starting weight, it's not going to be as much. And she said that some people retain Water or their bodies hang on to the weight when there is a big shift (i.e., going from solid foods to all liquids). Also, she said that a small loss on the pre-op diet in no way indicates that you won't lose a lot after surgery.

I probably will still have some anxiety, because being a worry-wort is in my DNA, but I do feel a bit better.

[Kushka 36]

Thank you so much for sharing what you learned from your PA, LauraEllen. That makes me feel better.

[grandmaofone 411]

I have been on pre-op diet since June 2. I lost about 2lbs a day the first couple of days now I am about a lb every day. The nurse said your body kinda goes into starvation mode and could stop at any time. They said that it is just your body adjusting. No worries you will get there:)