Approved and Date set for surgery but not motivated....

Been there. Done That.  Bought an XXX LG T-SHIRT.....  LMFBO

I would do that same thing all the time!!!  LOL  I'm 17 days post-op now and that thought is the farthest thing from my mind.  I'm eating because I'm supposed to.  That's it. 

My doc didn't have a pre-op diet of any kind, which really surprised me.  I tried to eat things I knew I wouldn't have in a long time but I didn't go overboard about it.  I actually went out to Chilis for dinner the night before the surgery (with the doc's approval!) but only had salmon and shrimp.  It sure was a nice chance to binge but it wouldn't have been worth it.  I've tried to figure out why he doesn't have any special liquid diet, especially the day before and the best idea I can come up with is that it will help me have a bowel movement soon after the surgery.  Just a thought.

I don't have any advice really, just my experience to share.

My PCP told me not to get too carried away trying to lose weight on the 6 month pre-op diet.  So I didn't.  I probably ate more and worse things than usual during that time.  I definitely had the whole "last meal" thing going on.  AND I didn't really take the whole thing seriously.  I didn't want to get too excited then get denied by insurance.  So I ended up pretty much avoiding the whole thing. 

When I got insurance approval and met with my surgeon, my surgery was schedule 2 weeks later.  They wanted me to lose 5-15lbs before surgery.  THEN I got motivated, lol.  I pretty much went on the post-op diet and lost 14lbs in those two weeks. 

Now at 5 weeks post-op, I'm enjoying finding new and yummy ways to fix the things I can have. 

Dear Kristie -

PREFACE: First I apologize for how  lengthy my reply became.  As I was writing, I found myself wanting to share more and more.  Maybe it is partially due to  those  pent-up emotions I am experiencing.  Then again, maybe I am just long-winded....   I must admit that sometimes my friends ask me to just give them the "condensed" version.....

*************************************************************************
Please don't be so hard yourself.  The thoughts your are having I believe are a normal part of making such a momentous decision in your life.  To me they are an indication that your are trying to make an informed decision by honestly examining your feelings. 

I took a peek at your profile blogs.  They seem to be an indication of your initial pleasure and excitement when you were approved.   Second thoughts though are part of our human nature.  The Good Lord bestowed upon us the ability to reason. 

I didn't see where you make mention of your age - but by your photo it looks like you are definitely younger than my ripe old age of 49.    I am scheduled for a RNY on 5/18.  The only "regret" that I have is that I didn't seek it out earlier in my life.  I have developed quite a few comorbidities along the way.  The latest of which was a diagnosis of Type II Diabetes last Sep.  If I hadn't been absolutely sure about WLS before, I became doubly convinced at that point .  My medical conditions associated with my weight will only increase as I age if I don't take control of the situation.  If you are lucky enough not to have developed weight related health issues as of yet, you are blessed.  It is unfortunately true  however, that obese individuals rarely escape these type of ailments.  While weighing the pros and cons of having WLS, please remember to take this into account. 

In Mar '10 a consultation with my surgeon revealed I was an "excellent candidate" for WLS.  I was so excited.  I began the necessay pre-screening tests only to find out that my insurance carrier required a 12 month supervised/documented weght loss trial.  Discouraged,  I chose to stop the process and to select a different insurance company the following open season.  So, from Mar '10 until Jan '11, my eating habits never really changed all that much.  That "waiting" period did give me time to pause and really come to grips with why having WLS  was the right path for me (diabetes sealed the deal ).  Others may disagree, but I don't believe that having a few "last hurrahs" is such a bad thing.  Although I am finding  that I am not as eager  to do that  as my surgery dates draws nearer . The excitement is building and for me the wondeful changes (physical, mental, and health wise) that I know await me have begun to far outweigh the negativity of that pesky little devil on my shoulder trying to tell me what I'm "giving up" .

I recognize that our stories seem somewhat similar when it comes to the part of not sticking with  plans.  Just like many, I tried numerous diets and I actually lost about 60 lbs a few years back on the Atkins diet only to regain that and more.  Personally for me, the choice of a RNY instead of another type of WLS was largely based upon my prior bouts of yo-yoing.  Honestly, I have reached the point where I am in need of a tool that really doesn't give me a lot of wiggle room, so to speak.  Yes, I do understand that the RNY is a 'tool" and not a cure and that unless I am willing to make a real commitment,  I can fail the"tool" .  On the flip side, if I use the tool correctly it will CHANGE MY LIFE.

My surgeon is also affiliated with a Ctr of Excellence (ranked #1 in my state and in the top 5% of the country).  Incidentally, I have read some differing outlooks regarding COEs on OH (you can find them under this forum's postings).  While for me the COE was an added bonus, I chose Dr. Spencer in principle based on his reputation and experience as well as testimonials from friends and colleagues. His surgery protocol does not include any type of pre-op diet .  His staff believes that statistically most patients will break the regime at some point and they have found, in their opinion, that restricting food/drink after midnight prior to surgery works fine.  Let me say however that in reading many posts here on OH, there are apparently quite a few surgeons whose opinion varies as does their methods of pre-op dieting/cleansing .  I am sure that this serves a purpose for their particular patients. 

Sorry again for rambling on about me.  I just wanted you to know that even though I am confident in both my decision and my surgeon, I too still occassionally go through those periods of being "anxcited" (my word for the combination of anxious and excited).  So it is okay for you to have some questions,  Go ahead and ask away.  When your heart, mind and body come to an agreement, you will know.

I wish you the best of luck.. God Bless.  K

I hav'ent had my surgery yet it is next tuesday and am on my pre op diet now, but with my 6 month diet I did'nt loose any weight and I was approved for surgery. Now I am sticking to my pre op diet

Just to be clear...I have already gone throught he six month pre op diet and met with my surgeon for the last time. My surgery is already scheduled for June 27th (I just can't figure out how to add that to my profile). I am definitely going forward and having my surgery...that is not a question I am debating whatsoever. I am just feeling bad because everyone from others on OH and support group and the surgeon and my family is basically saying that I need to start hard core dieting now to lose as much as I can before surgery for a better outcome and then my surgeon has a two week liquid diet preop as well that I must follow. I know I am not eating the way I should be right now and I feel guilty about it. I know that when I start my liquid diet I will be more serious about it. For one thing surgery will be fast approaching, I know the benefits of a liquid diet preop through my nursing experience, and I have a set date when that needs to begin. Right now I am just feeling like every day is a last hurrah for some type of food. I am not saying I am not having surgery...I definitely am...I am just saying that I wish I could find some way to get started on my goal but the motivation seems to be lacking. I don't know maybe I am not making any sense.

Don't beat yourself up too much if you're struggling with the better eating.  That's why we need the surgery!  The "last supper syndrome" is something that most, if not all, go through.  On the liquid diet is when you'll drop weight (which will help your surgeon have room to work during the lap RNY)  This is when I really struggled because I knew this was crunch time.  Half way through, I ran through the drive-thru at McDonalds.  I cried and felt horrible I had done it!  I thought it was the last time I'd ever eat it.  Once you get to the other side, you're just not that interested in food.  Getting all the vitamins, water and protein is all you can think about.  It's much easier to stick to what you're suppose to eat once you've had your surgery.  To be honest, I dropped 40 lbs on the 6 month pre-op diet and boy was it work.  Now, I'm wondering if those pounds would have come off faster after the surgery. 

Hi Kristy- my surgery was 4/11/11, but I started the process last August 2010 when I attended my first seminar on gastric bypass. I set my surgery and had all the tests.

BUT by far the best thing I did was to begin to make healthier choices when it came to food. I ate more veggies and I don;t like that many. I cut a lot of sweets out. Cake is a weakness and at parties I had a small 2x2 piece instead of two large pieces. I also added in exercise, now I was lucky here b/c a few friends of mine had started going to a zumba class and I tagged along one week. I also died the first class but kept going back some weeks one night a week and some weeks twice a week. {they were hour classes}. Before surgery I lost 24 pounds by not really depriving myself, but eating healthier.

I am four weeks since my surgery and I am down 51 pounds.....clothes shopping is exciting and I have gone down four sizes and I am no longer wearing or shopping in the plus sizes!!!

So start now, make small changes, you will be glad you did!! Check out my profile and before and now photos...it may help you! Best of luck!

Firefly48