New here...and so frustrated with trying to lose weight

Melissa3 · May 12, 2008

Hi everyone. I am currently jumping through the insurance hoops of psych consult, sleep study, nutritionist, and having to lose 20 lbs. (Insurance wants 15, but my doc wants 20).

I am stuck. I haven't lost a single pound...not gaining which is good, but I have appointments this week and then it's back to the surgeon next week. I was hoping to have made SOME progress.

I have a really really hard time losing weight, and right now, I am feeling like an idiot. I am going to get this lap-band and not lose anything:frown: then I will feel like a complete and total failure *sigh*

Any tips on losing this weight quickly???

KELVINSMOM · May 12, 2008

Melissa , dont get frustrated.. your doc should have put you on a pre - op diet. which is going to be prety similar to the diet you will have to follow after surgery.. mostly a liquid diet. NO SUGAR.. get used to Splenda.. drink lots of Water, and eliminate carbs.. I did not have to lose weight before my approval ( my insurance company approved me in less than a week) - but there are many on this board who had to do the same things that you are required to do.. best of luck to you !

Fanny Adams · May 12, 2008

I think the most common quick loss pre-op diet is the Opti-fast way. For me, that consisted of 3 Optifast shakes @ 150 cal each and 2 cups of non-starchy vegetables (fresh or steamed only) @ 25-50 cal per cup, for a total of around 500-550 cal a day. It was harsh but well worth it, as I dropped 10lb in 10 days.

Good veges for this stage are:

leafy Boston, romaine and other lettuces; arugula, endive, escarole, parsley, spinach and watercress; and bean sprouts, celery, cucumbers, mushrooms, peppers and radishes

asparagus, bamboo shoots, broccoli, broccoli rabe, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, eggplant, jicama, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, mustard greens, okra, onions, pumpkin, scallions, shallots, snow-pea pods, spaghetti squash, string or wax Beans, Swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips, Water chestnuts and zucchini

Veges to avoid are:

potatoes, sweet potato/yam, carrots, corn, peas

Most of us struggled with hunger on this diet and there's no way I personally could maintain it for very long, but when you are on a countdown towards the big prize, it can be done for a few weeks, especially with the support available on this site.

Edited May 12, 2008 by Fanny Adams

marineliebe · May 12, 2008

if you are sticking to your diet and arn't losing any weight, i would add some excersise into your day. and i would make it more than light stuff. make sure your breaking a sweat. do it daily and hopefully that will be the extra push you need to start sheading those pounds!