pre-surg diet - what if I don't lose, or I gain?

Hi,

I have United Health Care and I'm planning surgery at Duke.  I am doing a 2 month diet for UHC approval. I have 2 weeks to go and I haven't lost anything - maybe even gained.  Can this keep me from getting UHC approval?  Or will the Duke surgeons reject my surgery until I lose some?

I have been toying around with this idea of surgery in my head,  you know, "yes I'll do it, no I can't."  Which is really stressful in itself.  I think I'm finally at the point of acceptance and am ready to do better at losing weight between now & surgery.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Vickie 

Hi vickie.......

My doctor did not have me on a pre-surgery diet, but I do know he told others that had him that he would not do the surgery that morning if they weighed you at prep-time and you gained. Even though I was not on a "diet", I was so horrified of the possible embarassment if I DID gain, meaning getting dressed and leaving the hospital......just the thought of that scared me enough to get on the right track.

The longer you put it off, the harder it is. Also, most surgeons want you on that diet to shrink your liver, so they have better access to the operable area. I also was afraid if he got in there and I wasn't shrunk enough, he'd sew me back up and send me home!  I was unwilling to take either of these chances!  Best of luck to you, and give it your best effort. I also think part of their reasoning is, "If you can't be disciplined enough to do this for something they desparatly want, what makes me think they will be a success after the procedure?"

Best of luck, Nancy