Have to lose weight before surgery?

[HealthierMe2017 22]

So I visited the surgeon just the other day and turns out I have six months to lose 11 pounds.. doesn’t sound like much but I struggle greatly losing weight. I lose weight in two ways... phentermine and not eating at all. I’m nervous to go on an extreme diet lose the 11 pounds and lose even more during the pre op liquid diet. Any recommendations? Advice? Similar stories?

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

I don't understand the fear of losing weight? Do you have an eating disorder or the fear of getting one? Is the doctor prescribing an extreme diet? Does insurance require this weight loss or just the surgeon?

You don't have stats in your profile, so I can't tell what percentage 11lbs would be. Give some background, are you diabetic, have pcos, or thyroid issues, you don't state what methods you have tried, or whether you have been in any program before and what results. It's difficult to give any tips/advice with so little information. Do you want help or just to vent?

Edited January 21, 2018 by Sosewsue61

[HealthierMe2017 22]

I’m sorry I posted here for some advice yes. I have pcos and high cholesterol. 11 pounds is per my insurance, I’m afriad of losing to much and not qualifying. Phentermine helps me lose but once I stop it I gain in all back and then some, that’s my fear.

[Losingit2018 1,170]

It won't matter if you lose too much. They will go by your starting weight with the surgeon when they submit for approval.

Probably most of us here have lost tons of weight only to gain it all back and then some. The surgery is a tool to help us not only take it off but to keep it off.

Cutting carbs way down or even completely out help me to lose weight. If I needed quick weight loss that is what I would do. But, 11 pounds is not even 2 pounds a month to lose. Sounds fairly easy and reasonable to me.

Good luck!

[Creekimp13 5,840]

I would strongly suggest taking the time to come to terms with healthy dieting....before you have surgery.

Surgery is not going to fix your habits.

You can still overeat, eat junk and gain weight....right after having a sleeve. Like, literally, the first month....there are people who do gain weight because they have false expectations and believe that they can eat whatever they want as long as they don't puke. They eat tiny little meals all day...of pure crap, multiple thousands of calories....and end up gaining. it's tragic.

Your success is 100% dependent on your ability to follow a diet and exercise program. Without mastering these basics, the sleeve will not work for you. Starving and drugs are poor solutions, too.

I don't mean to be discouraging and I'm totally on your side....just trying to be very real and honest here.

Wishing you the best.

[DesertGirl 14]

I understand! I have hoshimotos thyroidism and I'm having a terrible time losing weight to be qualified for surgery. I just started on phentermine even though it makes me aggressive. I've gained 10 pounds since my first visit in October. Down 5 since then. But it's been a bear! All I can say is stay focused and lose all you can the healthy way. Don't starve yourself or do liquid diets just to lose it, you will gain it back again. And use weights during exercise. Muscle helps burn fat. Keep it up! You can do this.

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[HealthierMe2017 22]

Thanks everyone! Just trying to get advice and some encouragement. Thankfully I don’t eat very much bad food I just am not able to stop eating once I start. I’m gonna try to come up with a reasonable plan to follow! I want to try and lose it on my own without phentermine to help stick to healthy eating and because I can’t sleep on phentermine. Thanks again everyone and good luck to each of you also!

[kakatlady612 1,053]

Let me tell you the weird thing that happened to me with phentermine. PCP put me on it last October, went back the 1st of November and I had gained 30 lb. Needless to say no more of that, have lost that and 5 lb more but it's taken until now to do it. Never heard of that happening to anybody else. Glad I'm still going forward with my RnY.

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[HealthierMe2017 22]

Let me tell you the weird thing that happened to me with phentermine. PCP put me on it last October, went back the 1st of November and I had gained 30 lb. Needless to say no more of that, have lost that and 5 lb more but it's taken until now to do it. Never heard of that happening to anybody else. Glad I'm still going forward with my RnY.

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I haven’t heard of that either! I’m happy to hear you were able to lose that weight! I’m able to lose on it but as soon as I stop it I gain it back and then some! Phentermine is definitely not something to live on. My PCP prescribes it to push me to continue doing healthy and exercise changes and be able to see weight come off as a motivator. After 15 pounds it completely stopped doing anything at all. Do you have a surgery date?

[kakatlady612 1,053]

Early to Mid March at this point, all requirements done but they routinely book out a month-to-6 weeks ahead. Hope I hear a lot more definate in this coming week, I'm in the working in pile cause I rechecked Friday. Wish they would have a sooner cancellation, I WANT IT DONE! Almost told them I'm getting older every day, let's just keep moving.

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[Rudedogg89 99]

I’m sorry I posted here for some advice yes. I have pcos and high cholesterol. 11 pounds is per my insurance, I’m afriad of losing to much and not qualifying. Phentermine helps me lose but once I stop it I gain in all back and then some, that’s my fear.

You shouldnt worry too muxh about it, if a doc says to lose it before surgery trust its in your best interest, my doc told me 20 lbs in 3 months, wants to see how motivated i am. Plus its to make the surgery go smoother

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[Creekimp13 5,840]

Before I got really serious about my diet...a huge blind spot for me was failing to document what I ate. it is AMAZING how things add up.

One of the biggest favors you can do yourself...is documenting everything you eat with calorie counts.

Avoid high glycemic carbs (white breads, refined sugar)...they'll make you hungry. Stick to whole grains. This was a huge breakthrough for me....since I was a carb junkie.

Start a gentle exercise program. I love my fitbit. Challenging myself to walk more everyday has been really helpful because you don't need any special equipment and you don't have to drive to the gym.