Zzzombrie

Hey everyone. I just set my surgery date for gastric plication on 1/7/2015. I'm a bit concerned about pre-surgery weight loss. I haven't talked to the nutritionist yet so I've no clue what I'm in for. I'm 5'6" and 244lb. I'd like to lose about 25 lbs before surgery but I'm not sure that is realistic. My motivation is shot and my stress levels are high from school. What were you required to lose before surgery? or if none did you try to lose weight anyways? What methods did you use to lose weight before surgery? ~Brianna

It is against federal law for any public hospital to turn away a patient. Most hospitals have a bariatric surgeon on the books. GSP is also starting to gain popularity among U.S. doctors as an alternative to GSV and is being studied to gain approval from the FDA as an appropriate form of WLS within the US. If your daughter has any complications, you'll likely take her to an emergency room anyways so she should be safe. From what I have researched, the doctors at OCC are highly regarded within the bariatric community and have gained recognition within the US. I've also read from many posters that they will talk to you about any complications. I would imagine that Dr. Ortiz would be happy to consult with whomever you're daughter would have to see in an emergency situation. It's just a fact of life that complications are going to happen to a small percentage of patients in any surgery situation. I firmly believe that the docs at OCC are well practiced and highly competent at their surgical skills, perhaps more so than any US doctor could be at this time. You should set up a talk with an OCC doctor to make sure you'll be able to have open communication should problems arise.

Chantix worked really well for my mom. But you do have to commit to it. If you know that you had to make a complete lifestyle change, you should quit cold turkey. The medical necessity alone should scare you away from it. Otherwise, I always suggest seeking addiction counseling. Blanket reply for smokers.

Ok, so maybe I'm just being sensitive but I'm tired of lap banders posting to topics within the gastric plication board. I look for advice among issues that I'm expecting to deal with in the future (post-op), and often find them dishing out advice on topics that don't really apply to them. Sure all bariatric surgeries come with similar issues, but these issues aren't solved the same way across the board because the procedure types are unique among themselves. Gastric plication is not the same as lap-band, not even close. I'd only expect sleevers to be of relatable help given the need. So lap-banders, I request that you refrain from dishing out your solutions/experiences unless the topic specifically relates to you.

So I finally got myself to the campus gym. Looking at all the bods 10 years younger than me was daunting, but then I remember that I was just like them and I say to them in my mind 'This is what you have to look forward to kids so keep sweating'. Maybe not being morbidly obese, but the struggle for sure. Of course, I'm not like others my age either (30) as my narcolepsy has given me a metabolism closer to 40yo. It's a big reason why I'm getting surgery. I'm not normal so why should my stomach be?! I'm metabolically stunted with a binge eating disorder that used to be bulimia nervosa. I'm just tired of purging really (long workouts & fasting, not puking). Suffering for my health is not new to me. If I would've thought that I could've done this when I was at bmi 29,I should've. That point has long past and I'm done with riding this train. So I did some weight training. I couldn't finish my planned set but it's a start. I don't do cardio. I walk and dance but forget mindless jogging. Weight training produces a longer, more efficient caloric burn. Plus the added muscle will help me heal faster come surgery time.

I think you'll do just fine with losing weight after surgery. I wish I would have thought to do this when I was in your weight range. Carrying your weight well can be a curse as much as a blessing. I'm the same way, which also meant I didn't notice when I started putting on weight until it was beyond my control. If complications arise, you won't have much time before hospitalization. Tell the emergency room of your surgery and they'll get a specialist for you. Good luck

So Nutrisystem was a bust. Too damn expensive for the product. Didn't lose much of anything either. Now school is in session and I'm realizing just how tired of battling my weight I am. Too much stress and worry to control my cravings. Brain power takes fat as fuel and I'm feeling the effects. Still hanging around the low 240s. Planning on GSP in Dec. I'm resolved on this issue. Mom is supportive and we're making a Christmas trip out of it. So I'll be close to the surgery site for a week after should any complications arise. I'm choosing surgery because I'm afraid for my future health. Turning 30 has shifted my focus from narcissism to health. I don't care if my hair falls out or if I end up with loose skin and saggy boobs (I'm barely a C cup even with this extra weight). Hair grows back, plastics for all the rest. I'm going to find some time in my schedule to put on some muscle before the big day. I feel like it'll help with healing time. Don't know if I'm right.

Argh... Cheated at lunch with Subway, 6 in pulled pork w/ baked lays and 2.75 cookies. Couldn't finish the 3rd. Going to be using the 12 Day Body Shaping Makeover by Michael Thurmond for my exercise portion. 6 days a week: 1. Upper body & abs 2. Lower body & abs 3. HIIT Elliptical 20 min 4. Upper body & abs 5. Lower body & abs 6. HIIT Elliptical 20 min The HIIT method I'll use is from Bill Phillips' Body For Life program.

Day 1 of pre-op reduction phase started with some general anxiety about what I should eat. I spent $280 on the Nutrisystem package but haven't touched it until today. After some argumentation in my head over pizza or a breakfast bar, the bar won. Before eating, I stepped on the scale and saw 242 staring back. I've never been this heavy in my life, so breakfast bar. I imagine that most weight strugglers wake up like this, bodies aching for calories before we even open our eyes. The first bit of food that comes to mind is full of fat and eater's remorse. It takes energy to make good choices, something I already lack greatly. Skinnies think that everything is will power. In their minds, it's a simple concept. For those of us who know better, it is more like a bloody war full of casualties and collateral damage. War is never easy or simple. I keep telling myself that I only have to hold out until I can get my surgery. A few weeks at best of clean eating and exercise. After that, my obsession with food will be mostly averted. Surgery isn't what makes people lose their weight. It is simply a tool that forces a strictly nutritious diet. Weight loss is 80% food choices. It also acts as a form of aversion therapy, disassociating the act of overreacting from pleasure to pain. Diet & exercise alone cannot combat years of compulsive overeating and emotional/stress eating. There must be a medical and psychological component involved to control these issues. Obesity is a disease, and the medical community must accept this as truth if they're going to have a hand at saving lives.

What was your starting weight/BMI?

I'm the same way. I'm able to research things in such a short amount of time that ideas quickly become decisions, and the wait to fruition seems like an eternity! I'm hoping they can schedule me for early August. I don't know how quick their process is.

Don't feel bad. As time goes on and you become healthier, your brain will start to rewire the attachment to food and you'll likely not find such things as interesting anymore. This will be the hardest breakup you'll ever survive, and you'll be the healthiest you've ever been once it's over. Not just physically, but psychologically as well.