starting BMI over 50? come on in!

shannongetsslim · 04-16-2008, 04:31 AM

Hi all,

My name is shannon and I live up in vancouver canada. So i am about 350lbs and I will be gonig for surgery at the end of May. So I am really freaked out about being put under at this weight. I am not worried about the procedure or even after but the initial part of being put under makes me really nervous. So I see that some of you have high BMIs and am wondering if you had the same fear. Also my doctor is not putting me on a liquid diet prior to surgery, only after for 1 month, any thoughts about this? I am going to do it on my own for 6 days prior to surgery. Is that enough, should I just follow what they are telling me to do? Thanks for any advice guys!

Cerrin · 04-16-2008, 07:24 AM

I was not put on a liquid diet. I did have a very low sugar low carb diet for the week before surgery. I think it helped me prepare for sticking to the plan after. I had some nerviousness about being put under. But I just kept thinking positive and remembering that my surgical team does these surgeries all the time. and I may of been quite big but if they thought it was too risky they would not be doing it on me.

Saying that.
People, I need help. I have not lost weight in quite a while. do you think I should be doing weight watchers or something? My nutritionist keeps telling me that it is normal to not lose weight till your fills are adjusted properly. but I am getting a little frustrated.
They say for us not to worry about claories and such. But I am working out like crazy and not losing weight. I am not gaining so that is something but I am starting to get worried that it isnt going to work for me. Do you think I should be following weight watchers? Or do you have any other sugestions?

MicheleK · 04-16-2008, 07:45 AM

I'm sorry you're having a rough time Cerrin.

I'm not banded yet, but I think you're in that bandster hell phase I read so much about.

Hang in there you can do this!

Cerrin · 04-16-2008, 08:02 AM

I am 4 monts out from surgery. I am a little tired of this hell. lol
It is really not that bad. I can eat pretty normally. and That is what my nutritionist sugests. But I am worried about not losing for so long.

Angelyco · 04-16-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmcbelle

I can cross my legs. It just happened one day.

Awesome! I haven't been able to cross my legs "like a girl" my whole life--I used to be able to cross them "like a guy" but the last few years I haven't been able to even do that :(

Cerrin · 04-16-2008, 09:53 AM

lol me either. (cross them even like a guy) If I do my leg falls asleep in minutes or slips off. lol

Odd the things you look forward to.

phyllser · 04-16-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerrin

People, I need help. I have not lost weight in quite a while. do you think I should be doing weight watchers or something? My nutritionist keeps telling me that it is normal to not lose weight till your fills are adjusted properly. but I am getting a little frustrated.
They say for us not to worry about claories and such. But I am working out like crazy and not losing weight. I am not gaining so that is something but I am starting to get worried that it isnt going to work for me. Do you think I should be following weight watchers? Or do you have any other sugestions?

Hmmm... I don't count calories either,
but I did in the beginning.
It might be a good idea to at log what you are eating for a week or so to get an idea
where you are with calorie intake...
do you keep a food diary?
There's a good one at fitday.com if you don't have one that you use.
What kinds of things are you eating and what amounts? What kind of exercise?
Sometimes you just have to change things up a bit.
Are you getting your water in??
Also, maybe you need another fill.
Guidelines my doctor uses to determine whether or not you need another band adjustment....
no weight loss for several weeks,
feeling hungry 1-2 hours after eating,
eating portions larger than "bandster" portions.

phyllser · 04-16-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shannongetsslim

Hi all,

My name is shannon and I live up in vancouver canada. So i am about 350lbs and I will be gonig for surgery at the end of May. So I am really freaked out about being put under at this weight. I am not worried about the procedure or even after but the initial part of being put under makes me really nervous. So I see that some of you have high BMIs and am wondering if you had the same fear. Also my doctor is not putting me on a liquid diet prior to surgery, only after for 1 month, any thoughts about this? I am going to do it on my own for 6 days prior to surgery. Is that enough, should I just follow what they are telling me to do? Thanks for any advice guys!

Hi, Shannon,

I am in Everett WA, not too far from you.
My starting BMI was 63.5.
My doctor did not put me on a liquid diet,
but told me he wanted me to lose
10% of my body weight before surgery.
I didn't quite make that goal,
but I did get my BMI below 60 prior to surgery
and he was pleased with that.
The pre-op diet is supposed to
"shrink" the liver
to make it easier for the surgeon to deal with
during the surgery as it has to be
lifted out of the way to install the band.
That knowledge was incentive enough for me to
want to lose as much as I could prior to surgery.

I think it's quite normal to fear anesthetic,
especially at our size.
I just told myself that it was
more dangerous to continue my life
"morbidly obese"
than to submit to an hour or so of anesthesia!
You'll be in good hands... and you'll be fine.

shannongetsslim · 04-16-2008, 10:31 AM

Thanks you guys, I am so glad I found this place, so nice to know that people had the same experiences and are still doing well. And I know your 100% right, I would rather take the risk of being put under than live the next 50 years like this. I have decided to do a liquid diet for 12 days prior to surgery, and am trying to watch everything i eat right now. I am going to stick to yogurt, milk, blended fruit and jello, maybe some mashed beans now and then? I am so excited, it is the first thing i think about in the morning and the last thing before bed. Thanks you guys!

Cerrin · 04-16-2008, 12:43 PM

Thanks I will keep a food diary. It is honestly the one thing I hate doing the most. But I want this band to work. And I need to do something because what I am doing now is not working.

MicheleK · 04-17-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerrin

Thanks I will keep a food diary. It is honestly the one thing I hate doing the most. But I want this band to work. And I need to do something because what I am doing now is not working.

Cerrin, you can do this...you WILL do this!! Keep your chin up, celebrate how far you come, and don't be too hard on yourself. This isn't an easy journey for anyone.

((HUGS))

Cerrin · 04-17-2008, 09:27 AM

Thanks, I am just a little freaked out because I have not lost anything in almost 9 weeks.
I am at the gym 4-5 days a week on the elliptical every time for an hour and lifting weights hoping to increase my metabolism. I know I have probably changed fat for muscle. but I cant tell that my clothes are any looser.

Angelyco · 04-18-2008, 11:05 AM

I just started using fitday since I have to have 7 days worth of journals to bring to my dietitician/psychologist appts in a few weeks. I'm already heartbroken--my favorite breakfast from Burger King is as much calories as I should have in a full day, along with 222 carbs...omg. See, just journaling never made me "aware" of what I was eating...to me, it was a small/regular breakfast. But when you see the nutritional facts is what really opens your eyes!

Cerrin · 04-18-2008, 11:27 AM

Damn fast food!

Angelyco · 04-18-2008, 11:43 AM

I was never a fast food junkie until the last few years, I know it's one habit I need to break NOW.