Please Help W/ Pre-op Weight Loss

Hello Everyone, I don't post much because I feel like such a miserable sod most of the time that I don't want to depress everyone, but I need some help. I was approved for surgery once, but I did not lose the required pre-op weight before my approval expired. I was approved again this past June 30, so I am now on the quest to lose that 30 pounds- because if I don't have my surgery done and over with by December, my insurance has stated that they will not approve it again- EVER. They were pretty nasty about it, so I don't want to test them as this is Provincial health care, and they don't give a crap how I feel about this, LOL. I have some specific issues to deal with regarding quick weight loss- I have had a bad gallbladder for three years. I live in Ontario, and have been informed that no doctor here in Canada would risk doing surgery to remove my gallbladder at my current weight. They have no answers for me when I ask them what happens if this becomes an emergency situation. I have been told to be careful with losing weight as this might set my gallbladder off. That puts me in a scary position because I have to lose weight in order to get the damn surgery to help me lose weight, LOL. I think this is sort of ironic really. Also, I am diabetic. The Nut from the hospital where I am hoping to have surgery has told me to go on a 1200 calorie a day, low fat, low sugar, low carb, protein forward diet. She didn't offer any suggestions as to what foods I should eat and should avoid- no ideas for menus- nada. I cannot change hospitals because that would require re- approval from my insurance, and they have said they will not give that again. The hospital I am using is excellent anyway, so I really don't want to change, but I am just frustrated with the lack of support I feel from them. If they can do the surgery and get me outa there alive and well, I can handle them not being very supportive otherwise, but I do need some help. I am on Metformin, Glyburide, and Avandia for the diabetes. I have been having troubles with low blood sugar while on the diet. I have not lost much weight, and I am getting so frustrated and I am afraid I will not lose it in time to have my surgery. I have struggled with FEAR very badly, but I do understand that I need this surgery to save my life. I have to have it, and I would have to have my gallbladder out eventually anyway, so if I am going to risk surgery at all, it might as well be one that could offer me a chance at a better life. If I am going to die from surgery, I would hate for it to be something as stupid as gallbladder removal, ya know? I am asking for help with ideas about how to safely but quickly lose this weight, taking into consideration my health issues. I am not talking about the final cruch week of pre-op weight loss right before the surgery, but rather the big loss I need to have before the surgery can even be scheduled. Even though I have chosen a good hospital for the surgery, I really wish I had chosen a place with a doc who did not require a pre-op weight loss. I understand that most do, but this one absolutely will not budge and you must lose the required weight or no surgery. I have heard that some folks did not have it this strict and the weight loss was just suggested not demanded to qualify for surgery. I feel like I just can't do this, and I am so worried that I will screw things up for myself and end up not being able to get the surgery. I hate this. I need some help, so anything you have to offer would be greatly appreciated. I am sorry to seem like such a downer. It is just that this experience has not seemed as happy for me as it has for some of the people I have read about here and on other forums. I am not doing well, and I just want to get my **** together and get this over with. Thanks, and take gentle care. - Shelley C.

I know how you feel I was on the same road at one time where I had to lose weight before having surgery. I ended up switching insurance from kaiser to blue shield. Blue shield dosen't require you to lose weight but the doctor might. My doctor didn't require any weightloss prior to surgery. I know it looks like you can't do it but if you can just turn it around and start telling yourself that you can meet your goals all things are possible. Lorraine (you can do it)

Thanks Lorriane. Your encouragement means a lot to me, and it really helps to get positive messages on this journey. I just have to stick with it and try to stay positive. I just need reminders sometimes that I can do it. Take gentle care.

Hi Shelley, I did the pre-op weight loss thing and I was very lucky to have a top notch nut. on my side. She found things for me to eat rather than telling me what NOT to eat LOL Basically vegetables (non starchy) are your best friend. For dinner I can have lean protein (maybe pork tenderloin) and I have steamed broccoli with cauliflower or green beans and I have a LOT of veggies. I cut out all junk and starches as much as possible. For lunch I have a tossed salad maybe with tuna or chicken breast. For snacks... she said you always put a protein with a carb. So an orange with a string cheese.... Or Yogurt and a hard boiled egg or all natural peanut butter (I LOVE Skippy) I am also a diabetic and found that eating 6 small meals a day helped my blood sugar stabilize and I don't feel hungry and tempted to eat the house down. Basically she told me I could have a half a box of raisins (little tiny size) or 2 huge handfuls of grapes for less calories!!! So now I think in those terms on everything. And since I can pig out on veggies I just try to come up with new ways with those. I don't use margarine and pop is forbidden in my house. I drink TONS of water and for fun sometimes I add some 100% fruit juice for taste. (Cause I know how to have fun) I am allergic to Nutrasweet and Splenda makes me sick so I use Stevia Herb or sometimes sweet n low. There's a lot of controversy on artificial sweeteners.. I've read that Nutrasweet makes you crave sweet stuff. So if you use it and notice this perhaps you could try something else and see if it helps. I dropped 50lbs pretty quick by doing all of this. It can be done. We have some brave folks on here who have lost a BUNCH of weight pre-op. You can do this... you don't want to lose your approval. You could even possibly use a protein shake as one of your meals and really give yourself a jumpstart... No advice on the gallbladder. Just hope it holds out until you get your WLS. Best of luck!!!

Thanks so much. Now, this gives me something to work with. If I have a plan, I can do this, but the NUT didn't really seem to have much to offer as far as ideas. I have heard people just rave about this hospital I am using, but to be honest, I have not experienced them to be very helpful at all. It worries me because I am terrified and do not want them to operate on me just to get some money. I hate to even say that, but I just haven' really felt guided in this by them. I truly appreciate your sharing your food ideas with me. I am going to do this somehow, and you folks here make it so much easier to get through it. Take gentle care.

I understand how you feel, I had to lose 40lbs. I didn't think I could do it, but I did and you can too. It was hard let me tell you, but it is so worth it. Just keep telling yourself that. I had cheat days of course, but as long as you keep it to one day, or even better one meal you can do it. Trust me it is worth it. I am 8 months post op and have loss 147 lbs, and a total of 204 since my journey began. 13 months ago. So keep your head up, and we are all here for you. Lynn

Thanks Lynn. Wow, you've done well. Congrats on a job well done. I am going to join you on that losers bench somehow. Thanks for your encouragement. Take gentle care.

Hi Shelly, Sounds like you are fighting the same battle I am just to get a surgery date. One thing I did and am so happy I rediscovered weigh****chers again. Also I am on a new insulin that really helps take hunger away. It is called Byetta. I stick to my ww and I plan on following it when I can eat solid foods agian. The program on ww is so easy. Also I love going to the meetings and getting lots of suporrt. Everyone at ww knows I am loosing weight to get a surgery date and they are very suporrtive. I really recomend you look into weigh****chers and also the ww program online. Good luck to you getting to the loosing side. Annie

Thanks Annie. I loved WW when I used to go. I actually did very well there, but I dropped out when money got too tight. I am going to call them today to see where the local meeting is now held. I am trying very hard to make myself try- ya know what I mean? It's like I just give up because it feels so overwhelming. I had chips on the weekend, and I'm not talking a few. I ate a whole bag, and my partner was so openly disappointed in me that it made me want to eat them all the more. This is so much harder than I thought it would be, but I will hang in there and just get my butt in gear. Thanks again, and take gentle care.

Hiya Shelly! Boy, do I feel your pain! I had to do a 1,000 calories per day for the month before surgery...it was very hard. But, I did it and managed to lose 24 lbs. The pre-op weight loss helps to shrink your liver so the surgeon can get to your stomach easier during surgery. I, too, was diabetic, but my sugar was always too high, so the low calorie thing helped my sugars get better. Weigh****chers is a good plan, but as a diabetic, I can highly recommend South Beach or the Zone. They concentrate on low carb, high protein plans which work great for diabetics. Also, be sure to drink water! water! water! It's the most important component for rapid weight loss. Get yourself some sugar free popsicles and sugar free Jell-o--they'll help with the sweet tooth. Also, string cheese is a good hunger satiater for just a few calories. I drank a lot of hot tea to keep hunger pangs at bay. Most of all, you have to make the committment to stick to your plan. Remember your goal and tell yourself that you owe it to yourself to become healthier and this is the only way you have to do it. Also, unless you're eating a high fat diet (like Atkins) I don't think you'll have any problems with your gall bladder. Fat is usually the culprit. Go for it Girl! We know you can do it! *hugsnluv* SweetPhyl