To Diet or Not to Diet before Surgery?????

Baboo · March 11, 2008

Hello,

I'm probably still about 4 months away from surgery. My insurance requires 6 month visits with my PCP before surgery. I won't get to meet with the surgeon until after the six months are up. I look at all the before and after pictures and get so excited, but also concerned. Can I do this? Will I still find a way to fail at this too?

My thinking now is going back and forth between:

1. Cut back on what you eat and get used to the restrictions before you have the surgery.

2. Eat all the things you love because after the surgery you won't be able to have them.

Have any of you had these same thoughts? How hard is it to eat and do the right things after surgery? I'm really stressing out about this!

Barbara

Apples2 · March 11, 2008

I am in my 5th month of the 6 month ins required diet. I decided from the start to stick to a plan close to what I would be doing after surgery. It was fairly tough the first month but after that just became somewhat routine. Now I am so happy that I did this. I have a feeling that it has prepared me for what I am in for after surgery. I know that I will most likely be hungry for awhile after surgery but I am so used to this feeling. I started Nov 20 and am down 46lbs. This diet has prepared me and also this forum. I felt like I was left out to sea all alone when I first started. I have gotten so much info from this site. Good luck and I believe the band is a tool to help a person succeed. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!

make33 · March 11, 2008

I was where you are last June, after starting in March. When you have your pre-op visit with your surgeon (mine was a month prior to surgery), then you will know it is time to get prepared for your future life.

The information you will get from your Bariatric Center (or surgeon) will fully explain what you must do prior to surgery, and if you are truly serious about making this life change, you will follow everything to the letter--no matter how tough it may seem.

Those that have the "last supper syndrome" are just kidding themselves and honestly, Baboo, I don't feel any of them was ready for surgery. :thumbup:

Good luck to you--I know you can do it...

Baboo · March 12, 2008

Thanks for your comments. I really need to get my head wrapped around this. I think today I'm going to make a list of what the advantages of weight loss are verus what food does for me. I know that sounds stupid but I think I need to see it on paper! Then I need to start letting go of my "best friend" FOOD! He has always been there to comfort me when I was down or Celebrate with me when something good happened. Oh, and let's not forget that he has helped me develop high blood pressure, high colesterol, not be able to tie my shoes, walk up or down stairs without huffing and puffing, etc., etc. What am I thinking about! Five minutes after I eat I can't remember what it was I ate. If I lose weight the long term benefits are something I can feel and see in the mirror. Thanks for letting me rant. I needed to see all of this on paper.

I love this forum!

Barbara

Kwlvjs99 · March 12, 2008

I saw my Dr. January 18th for the first visit. I was expecting to be told that I need to do a 6 month diet, but my insurance approved me within one week!! I was in total shock and thought that they send the approval letter to the wrong patient!! But then I was sad to find out that they were booked up until May 8th (my surgery date). I have been counting down the days!! I was leary on dieting before surgery because I thought I better eat anything and everything!! But I thought that would be soooo dumb, I already can not fit into any of my clothes.. So I started Weight watchers January 22nd and I have lost 20lbs. This is getting my mind into the "dieting" mode, the lap-band is not a cure, its a tool and you have to work with it.. So dieting is going to help me work with my "tool" I plan to still do along the same line of WW after surgery. I am soo nervous about the pre-op diet... any suggestions?

I also had decided that If I was told that I had to do the 6 month diet I was not going to try too hard so that I could still qualify after the 6 months.. I know that sounds soo mean!! but I want this dang band!!!

MAY 8th Here I come..