WOULD LLIKE INFO FROM ANYONE WHERE I AM...............

Ok!! Well first I would like to say that st. Joe's east is well the more I learn the more I love!!! The staff have been very helpful and I really feel like they are there to help you succeed!! I am almost finished with my testing (26th) last of it....But here is my question-- my bmi is 40.4 and I am concerned with the diet of losing before surgery....(how weird,right?) but I wondered if I can do this pre-op diet of 30carbs or less and not drink when I eat...And lose a few pounds before surgery (if approved) then will that pose a problem with losing to much after surgery? (I was very informed at the visit I just had...And I know they know there stuff!!) I guess I am just alittle scared and want to hear from anyone with similar concerns and similar pofile....Would appreciate and info that comes my way......Thanks!!!!!

i had my wls at saint joes east i love them too u can always call and ask they would be glad to tell u. my starting weight was 228 on the day of my wls i was down to 222 and im almost 9 months out and im down to 123 pounds and still losing about 8 pounds a month now i hope i help some tina

Hi Wantmylifeback - My BMI is much higher than yours, even after losing weight, but I don't see why losing weight prior to surgery would be a problem. I agree with the above poster about calling the surgeon's office and voicing your concern. My guess, and this is just a guess, is that they will be monitoring you and once you reach goal, they will advise you as to what you should be eating in order to maintain your weight. Good luck to you....you're getting closer and closer! Chris

I had my surgery at St. Joes East and I remember the low-carb diet. It was a mess for me, I had trouble with it. It's not that I didn't get enough to eat, I did, but it was the fact I was a sugar-a-holic and had a difficult time giving up the sweets. The one thing that I didn't do, because I blanked out or something--as did hubby--, is to start drinking the protein mixes to find one that suits your taste buds. (be careful not to buy a bunch of protein before surgery though, because your buds can change after surgery) Protein curbs the sweet tooth if you have it and can help you stick out the carb-free diet. I was 411 when I walked into their office the first time and only lost 13lbs before the surgery. That was me on their pre-op diet from June to September. Did I cheat? Ummmm, yes. But, toward the end of my waiting period, I realized it was buckle down time and time to take it seriously. You've made a great choice to do your surgery and I'm sure you'll find great support all the way around for your care. Good luck to you- Dee

Hey there, I just saw your post. Sorry I'm late. I'm a patient at St. Joes too. The only reason why they want you to lose weight before surgery is because they want you to shrink your liver. Amanda explained to me that by reducing your carb intake, you are depriving your liver of the carbs its used to. Apparently the liver is the first place to shrink, and that's necessary, because when the doctor performs your surgery, the liver need to be out of the way. I'm going to be honest..... I cheated on my pre-op diet at first. It was during the holidays, and I had sweets and lots of goodies, and Dr. Steiner postponed my surgery! You dont want to go through that. It was so disappointing. So I recommend that when you do start that diet, find what works for you, and create some kind of back-up plan. Carry beef jerky in your purse, drink lots of water, carry ready-made SlimFast low carb shakes, just have some kind of plan so that when you have cravings, you dont give-in to the wrong things. And just like the poster above me said, DONT stock-up on protein shakes. I did, and MAN I regretted it! My taste buds completely changed after surgery. Much luck!