Pre-Op Diet Concerns - Help!

[lilith 6]

Okay, this will sound stupid, but has anyone ever lost too much weight on the pre-op diet? I have to do the six months supervised by my PCP - she put me on phentermine (again) which does cause me to lose weight, but it never stays off. I've actually lost 6 lbs in the last week and I'm scared I'm going to lose too much and not qualify... I think I'll still be fat enough but if the insurance company sees that I can lose weight on the phentermine will they deny my lapband??? Help!

[lilith 6]

So they just called and said I have "mild sleep apnea" - they said I have to go over my results with a sleep specialist as it's not bad enough to warrant a second sleep study, at least not yet... whatever that means! All of my blood work came back great (I should be happy about that right?! lol).

[*slim* 2]

I'm not sure if you can lose too much. My surgeon's office used the weight that I was on my first visit with them to put in for insurance. Have you already seen a surgeon? If you have, then you may be worrying for nothing. I think most of the people that I have talked to said that their doctors used the initial weight for insurance purposes. Also, the sleep apnea should help your case with insurance because that is considered a co-morbitity. Good luck!

[lilith 6]

Thanks, Slim! Now I'm being bumbed out because I just came home from my info session (have not seen surgeon yet) and the whole way home my friend (who is a nurse and attended with me) gave me a lecture about how if it was her she would rather look like I do now vs having hanging skin... she has two friends who have had the bypass surgery in the last year and are having horrible skin issues. So I guess I'm just bummed out at this point.

[*slim* 2]

Thanks, Slim! Now I'm being bumbed out because I just came home from my info session (have not seen surgeon yet) and the whole way home my friend (who is a nurse and attended with me) gave me a lecture about how if it was her she would rather look like I do now vs having hanging skin... she has two friends who have had the bypass surgery in the last year and are having horrible skin issues. So I guess I'm just bummed out at this point.

Don't be bummed about that! Bypass patients lose weight a lot faster than we do. Because we tend to lose slower, our skin has more of a chance to rebound. Also, you still have age on your side. I have read on here about people even into their late 40s not having issues with hanging skin. Another thing to look at, you are doing this for a healthier you. Being skinny is just the by-product. Don't let the POSSIBILITY of lose skin stop you. My surgeon actually brought in a patient in her 50s that lost 120lbs. She said that she never had to have any plastic surgery because of the rate that she lost weight. Ok, sorry, I can tend to run on. I just think if that is your only hold out, don't let it be. Don't worry about that at all.

[lilith 6]

Well, two things don't help - one she's been skinny her whole life and really doesn't get it... two, I had told her that lapband patients lose slower therefore don't have as many skin issues as bypass patients and when the doctor addressed that he said it really doesn't work that way, that it just depends on the person so that lit her fire to think I'm wrong and she's right... blah. Anywho, I appreciate your response!!!

[*slim* 2]

No problem at all. I was in your shoes just a few months ago, so I completely understand. I now am dealing with everyone asking me how much weight have a lost. These are people that I talk to almost everyday (i.e. my mom). She didn't want me to have the surgery either. Anywho, best wishes to you. Good luck on your WL journey no matter what you decide!

[lilith 6]

Thanks, again! Life should be easier, eh? lol

[nazzy 1]

o was on the 6 month diet first be careful they is a fuk 6 months i actually had to go 7 i payed 7 times since bcbs wouldnt cover that.they tell u to get covered u musy do the 6 months but dont pay for it,anywayi didnt lose a pd till the last month and i was approved,plus this helped my dr put down it was medicaly ness, last year when i had my knees repalced i gained another 40 pds in 1 month was 20 i couuldnt belive it,but here is the good news i was banded oct 20th and ive lost over 30 pds.tg,best thing i ever did,good luck to ya,and thanks to my dr i was approved,

[nazzy 1]

one last thing my dr wouldnt let me go on any diet pills she was afraid it could make my blood pressure go high,glad she didnt

[Sunwyse 1]

I can understand where you are coming from, but look at your weight loss history. If its anything like most of us, you've lost weight in the past and put it all back on again. The band is about maintaining the loss over the long haul, not just about losing it in the first place.