weight loss before surgery

I have a surgery date of Jan 10th to have a lap-band. I was told that I needed to loose at least 20 lbs before surgery. I realize that it is important to loose this weight for a successful and easier surgery for the doctor to perform, I have been trying for a month now to loose weight but I am having a lot of issues with this. Is it typical to have to loose weight before getting the lap-band? What happens if you don't loose the recommended weight, will they reschedule your surgery? Any help with ideas on how you lost the weight before surgery would be so helpful.

My surgeon wanted me to lose 10% of my weight prior to surgery - which he told me 3 weeks before I was to have the surgery.  I mmediately went on the liquid diet that he usually recommends for the 2 weeks prior to surgery.  This does something to the liver and helps shrink some of the fat around the stomach.  It also makes you lose weight - I lost about 30 pounds in that three weeks.  I used protein shakes, beef/chicken broth, jello, popsicles - basically anything you can drink thru a straw.  The more low cal/low fat/low sodium the better though.  I don't know if he would have cancelled the surgery had I not lost the weight, but I think it's more they want to see how much you can lose prior and it also shows that you are serious about this surgery by doing what needs to be done.  You can do it!  It's going to be a bit more difficult for you as you would need to start this during the holiday season, but it can be done if you're serious about it.  Keep us posted on your progress!  Good luck!
Cindy

Jules,

If your dcotor did not give you a diet to follow then I would star****ching what you eat and count your calories .

I use sparkpeople.com  I input all my food, and it tells my how many calories, fat, carbs and I keep track of sodium also because that can really make a difference in weight loss also.

I would cut my carbs back to 30 -40 carbs per day , start measuring your food , start if you havent start trying to cook healthier no frying foods , cut the fast food out , cut the pop soda out if you are drinking it and star****ching your sugar intake.  You want your proteins to be at 60-80 grams per day .

Since you dont have to go on such a diet like most of us had then you will need to watch all them things I listed below.

If you want to do what I did I had to do this for two weeks I lost 12 pounds I think it could have been more but I started my dang period right in the middle of it lol  and I always gain weight then *sigh*

I had two protein shakes a day I use Muscle Milk Light chocolate its very tasty and the only one I could find that I didnt gag on drinking it . ONe for breakfast and one for lunch

I was allowed 1 cup of protein and 1/2 cup of veggies for dinner.  I cheated and added a salad also but nothing in it but veggies and very light on the dressing .

All the SF jello I wanted.

If you would follow that you dont have to be as strict as mine was but it does take the weight off you and I will be honest its hard you are hungry .

Lots and lots of water that really helps with weight loss also .

Now I did not exercise at all, I was just so tired and had no energy .  I went from eating almost 2500 to 3000 calories a day down to 800 a day .

And yes my doc is very strict on losing the weight. I had to only lose 10 pounds in two weeks but if you dont lose it he will reschedule your surgery.  There was suppose to be 2 more before me when I went and got mine and both of them got cancelled due to not losing the weight .

The reason why they want you to lose the weight it is easier on the doc during surgery.   Your liver lays right on top of your stomach and he has to move it .  when you are over weight your liver is hard so they want you to soften it up so it can be moved so he can put the band on right .

There has been times my doc has went in to do the surgery and not put the band in because the liver not being soft enough to move. If he cant put the band on right then he wont do the surgery .

Plus im pear shape so that helped alot to.  My doc compares us to apples and pears . 

Pears are the people that the majority of their weight is in the butt, hips and thighs that is me lol

Apples are the ones that carry the majority of their weight in the middle . 

Apple shaped people can be a little harder with the band because the doc has more fat to work around .

I wish you the best of luck and I know you can do this Jules.  When you want to eat something that is bad for you think about the surgery and what could happen if you dont lose that 20 pounds no surgery .

Hey there! I just put up a blog post with the pre-op diet my surgeon recommended to me. He requires a 10 day diet prior to surgery, but it's very restrictive. I'm on day 3 and it gets better the longer you do it, but I've lost six pounds in two days. Go check out my page and you can read it.

It's basically, four ounces of lean meat, seafood, cheese or eggs, four cups of skim milk, protein shake mix, all the vegetables you want, all the sugar free popsicles or jello you want, and one teaspoon of regular salad dressing or oil, or butter a day. Caffeine-free, carbonation free, calorie free drinks are unlimited, as well. No breads, sweets, fruit or fruit juices are allowed. You should get in 50 gms of protein a day through the milk and shake mix.

Good luck! I have surgery on December 9th, lap band. Take care! Lorie

 
On a liver shrinking die*****pically takes MONTHS to shrink your liver.  But what the diet does do is get rid of the glycogen on your liver.  It's similar to snot.  ;o)  It's really slippery and slimy.  When you go low carb you absorb that snot around your liver.  If surgery is easier for your surgeon, it's safer for you.

Simple rule of thumb, if it has flour or sugar in it, don't eat it.

I just laughed out loud to myself!!! that is a hilariously gross description!!!!!! I must be in a weird mood today....been snowed in too long, maybe????

 
I never know how to describe it and that seems to fit the best. ;o)))

I had to lose 5% for insurance then my surgeon told me that if I gained even an ounce she would cancel my surgery. so I lost another 5%. I think she scared the weight off,lol!!! jk she had me on pretty much the same diet as I do now. 3-4 oz lean protien 5 times a day with veggies.

I was told my insurance wants you to lose about 5 to 10 lbs and keep it off for 6 months aleast. 

Vickie

Thanks everyone!!! I am more motivated than ever to loose this weight... I don't want to have to re-schedule my surgery at all, I have waited far to long to have this done. Thank you for your response's, keep em coming!!! It really helps. I will keep you posted on my progress.