Premature panic

I know this is premature, (since I'm still waiting approval from bcbs), but I'm concerned. What if I can't lose enough weight to have the surgery done lap? I just called the surgeon's office and the nurse said that he does not perform open bypass unless something goes wrong when he's in there. She said if you are too big for him to feel he can do it succesfully as a lap, he will require you lose weight. I just checked around in my area to find a doctor that will do it open, but the only one requires you to go to this educational seminar first before you can even get an appointment for a consult. She said that their process can take 3-6 months from consult to surgery. The thought of waiting that long depresses me to no end. The nurse at the surgeons office told me, when I was in there seeing the psych that because of my body make up I could have the surgery done at 375 lbs which would mean I need to lose about 45 lbs. I'm not good at losing weight, if I was I wouldn't be in this situation. OK I vented. I guess I could starve myself between now and 5/4 to make that weight goal. I see a lot of people post about liquid diets, can anyone help me with that? Any ideas? Anyone? Lurnia

Hi Lurnia, Try to look at the whole thing this way ... you need all the preparation you can get for this because your life will be FOREVER DIFFERENT. If it takes 3 - 6 months from consult to surgery, maybe you might consider that you're dealing with a very thorough program that's going to look out for your health better than most. Trust me on this please, I didn't have a program like that ... although I'm *adopted* into one now, and HOW I wish I'd been able to go through their pre-op preparations! You WANT someone to be looking at your health from A to Z, making sure your quality of life will be the best it can be post-op. Also, I'm thinking that 3 - 6 months prep testing and followup is becoming the "norm" for most reputable Bariatric Programs. As for losing 45 lbs ... try not to look at the whole 45 at one time. Just concentrate on losing 10 lbs at a time. Large weightloss requirements can be so daunting (trust me I had 282 lbs to lose initially and it was totally defeating to imagine I'd be able to lose all that!!!). By breaking down the amount into small goals and only concentrating on those at a time, you might be surprised at how much better you feel about the whole thing *and* how much easier it becomes. All the very best to you, and hang in... Myra G