I am so discouraged!! Tired of all the hoop jumping!!

Ok - so I went to yet another nutritionist appointment. Here we were supposed to discuss post op diet. (and we did, but...) Guess what - I gained 2.5 lbs. I burst into tears!! I have been trying so hard. I know that I am PMSing and I know that I must be retaining water like a sponge, but Jesus, Mary and Joseph!! How much more can I take? I have been going through this for six months now. I have lost a total of 13 lbs and yet they want 10 more. Then the high protein diet 2 weeks before the surgery where I am going to lose more weight. - I am a light weight, if I lose that much more weight, then I really won't need the surgery. But then what always happens is going to happen - I will gain it all back and then some. Other people that I know didn't have to go through this. I get the reason for the pre-op weight loss, but I really don't know how much more I can take. Then I read about people who have been fighting this for a year or more and I wonder, what is wrong with me? I am really trying hard not to be impatient, but this is nuts. My dear friend who had WLS almost a year ago thinks I should call her surgeon, but do I really want to start all over again? But she didnt have to go through all of this - the informational seminar - psych consult - nutritionist - meeting with the doc - submit to insurance - surgery. And I have co-morbidities and she really doesn't. I don't know what to do. Thanks for letting me rant.....I don't know what to do. Beth

If everything is already documented, then changing surgeons should not mean that you have to start all over. The only way to really find out is call the insurance company and ask and make an appointment with the new surgeon and see what you need to do. The one thing you should not do is give up. Never give up. Joanne

I will not give up, I will not give up, I will not give up!! Thank you so much - I knew I came to the right place.

Beth: Hi!~ I appreciate the frustration; sometimes it does seem overwhelming what we need to do to get surgery. I won't argue with that at all your entitled to your thoughts and feelings. What I can offer is this, a possible reframe: (*This is just the MINDSET that helped me, so I substitute me/myself for you/yourself) This is the GREATEST CHALLENGE OF YOUR LIFE! (NOT A STRUGGLE a CHALLENGE!) THINK "no one" (*including myself) is going to stop/sabotage me from having this operation, it is my decision and all that is asked of me is...to #1) Make sure I am a good candidate for surgery (physically/emotionally), as there is NO reason to operate on myself if I won't get off the table!!!, #2) develop some healthy habits preop to prepare me for the challenges that lie ahead after surgery. (Others and I can probably tell you the prop stuff and surgery itself is the EASIEST part of this whole journey! Living the life forever is the greatest challenge!) These can be viewed as HOOPS/STRUGGLES or opportunities to grow & learn. They can be viewed as a small price for such a wonderful gift you will be given/choose and the opportunity to have a healthier happier longer life....! Remind yourself how BAD you want this! How far you have come already! Make everyday's focus more important in that you change old/negative/unhealthy internal tapes & thoughts/bad habits to lose weight to have this surgery than to continue to slowly kill yourself with food. (*Record all food daily, exercise daily, make healthy choices daily, the CONSISTENCY is what gets us where we need to be the HUNKAMETAL is just one measure of success, we can do a lot to influence our wt but your right there are many factors we can not influence! BUT consistency wins out and the hunkametal will go down!) I always say this isn't a race, we all go at our speed, yes some people wait years to get surgery for one reason or another, but I believe sometimes the more we are challenged the more successful we will be long-term. The importance of having a THOROUGH workup preop and a multidisciplinary bariatric team is IMMEASURABLE as far as post-op success/health/wellness. I would not compromise going to a surgeon who had any fewer standards "JUST to get it done". I realize the anticipation we all want it last week/year etc. but it is so worth the challenge, the wait and I believe it happens when it is meant to! So a few weeks/months of healthy habits to lose pre-op wt is not a lot if you frame it right! IT IS NOT FOREVER and it is about starting this journey! Just my 2 cents or view! I wish you well. I too was frustrated preop, but this way of thinking helped me get to where I am today...I know there are so many things in life I can not control (the 'hoops') but I can control my thoughts and my responses to things! Be well! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

thank you - that is just the kick in the tush I need. I will keep on keeping on!!