Not losing a great deal of weight on the pre-op diet

[C2CFOREVER 18]

Been on holiday and have gained 3kg, so decided to start my pre-op diet early (doing it for 3 weeks instead of the required 2 weeks) and it's good job I did as I am currently on day 8 of the pre-op (Liver reducing) diet and only managed to lose 1kg. I've followed the diet rigidly even being more strict than the actual diet states! I've managed (just) to get my required 2 litres of Water plus my3/4 cups of tea (with milk from 200ml allowance for Cereal and tea) per day. Called the hospital Specialist Bariatric Dietitian earlier today to discuss my concerns as I am really worried that my surgery will be cancelled because I haven't lost enough weight. The SBD went through everything I had eaten in the past 8 day and he said I was doing everything right but I could do with taking in extra veggies and try to do a little more walking and that maybe I have bit of water retention (not cycle-related) as I have on-going problems with painful swollen legs. Am to give him a call again next week if I'm still worried.

The only solution I can think of is to completely cut out ALL carbs, starch and dairy (except cheese) and just eat fruit and Protein foods only.

Anyone else have/had this problem? Can anyone give me some advice?

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Why cheese? If you are going to eat dairy, IMO yogurt is a healthier choice. And why fruit instead of green veggies? Green veggies are much lower carb.

All that said, losing 1 kg in a week is great IMO. Does your bariatric team have a specific goal that you must meet? It sounds like it, from your post, but personally I think expecting more than 1 kg/week is a high and kind of cruel standard.

[madferitchick 163]

Been on holiday and have gained 3kg, so decided to start my pre-op diet early (doing it for 3 weeks instead of the required 2 weeks) and it's good job I did as I am currently on day 8 of the pre-op (Liver reducing) diet and only managed to lose 1kg. I've followed the diet rigidly even being more strict than the actual diet states! I've managed (just) to get my required 2 litres of Water plus my3/4 cups of tea (with milk from 200ml allowance for Cereal and tea) per day. Called the hospital Specialist Bariatric Dietitian earlier today to discuss my concerns as I am really worried that my surgery will be cancelled because I haven't lost enough weight. The SBD went through everything I had eaten in the past 8 day and he said I was doing everything right but I could do with taking in extra veggies and try to do a little more walking and that maybe I have bit of Water retention (not cycle-related) as I have on-going problems with painful swollen legs. Am to give him a call again next week if I'm still worried.

The only solution I can think of is to completely cut out ALL carbs, starch and dairy (except cheese) and just eat fruit and Protein foods only.

Anyone else have/had this problem? Can anyone give me some advice?

Hi, I'm in the uk too. Despite my dietician telling me I had to eat the carbs on my pre op diet, I didn't as I knew that would severely limit my weight loss. So I cut out the carbs and substituted with green veggies and a little more lean Protein and lost 12lb in the two weeks. Dietician and surgeon were very pleased, and I just kept it to myself that I'd modified things a bit! I have pcos and I know my body and carbs are my biggest problem in preventing weight loss. The one size fits all approach from dietitians in the uk (low fat and whole grain carbs) does not work for everyone!

[C2CFOREVER 18]

Hi Bufflehead

cheese livens up Spinach (1 piece matchbox size, once a week) and I'm not intending to just eat fruit instead of green veggies, I intend to eat BOTH - some fruit and lots of (non-starchy) green veggies and salads and high Protein food.

I wasn't given a specific goal per se, but was told that it is possible that you will lose a lot of weight on this diet, but it will mainly be Water loss. When I talked to the SBDietitian he said that he had just seen another woman that morning who had lost 7kg in her first week so my lack t loss weight loss was probably due to Water retention but to call him again next week if I still haven't had a great weight loss - great help, not.

And here's what whizzing around my head at the mo - if I can't lose weight on the pre-op diet, what hope is there for me after the surgery in meeting hospital weight loss goals?

[C2CFOREVER 18]

Thank you, Madferitchick for the feedback - will give it another week then I think I will follow your lead. You're so right about UK dietitians, the one size fits all approach doesn't work for everyone - a good example of that statement is ME!

[AJ cowgirl 79]

I lived on 2 Protein Shakes, unlimited boxed chicken broth with low Sodium, sugar free Popsicles and decafe tea for 2weeks. I lost 30 lbs (12k) before surgery in the U.S.

[AJ cowgirl 79]

How's the weight loss?

[C2CFOREVER 18]

@@AJ cowgirl

Thanks for asking. Weight loss not great, only managed to lose 2kg over a 2 week period. So this weekend I'm going to try @@madferitchick approach and hope I get better results.

[AJ cowgirl 79]

How is it going?

[C2CFOREVER 18]

Hi @@AJ cowgirl, only lost 4kg on the pre-op diet, the surgeon would have liked me to have lost more but was happy to go a head with the procedure.

I'm now 2 weeks post-op and feeling great. I posted a 'thank you' message for everyone's support and advice and must of missed you off the 'Mention' list - so sorry.

Anyways, the surgery went well. Now 2 weeks into the liquid diet. Stitches have healed nicely. Following all instructions regarding meds from the Bariatric Team. Everything seems to be going according to plan. Thanks for keeping in touch and for your support.