Source
r/xxketo•
OPG

[NSV] Doctor randomness

As some of you already know, part of my commitment to keto is that I started it in tandem with the local hospital's bariatric program. Part of the process of preparing for weight loss surgery is the battery of preliminary examinations to make sure you are fit for surgery. On my initial application and visit to the surgeon I told him 'My goal is to NOT have the surgery. If you are OK with that then you can be my surgeon.' So far it's been interesting, I've just been a ketobeast and they stare confusedly at my paperwork. Fast forward to last week and this week's NSVs:

  • The bariatric nutritionist said that I am already holding to the 'post-surgical' diet albeit the volume is different. She also added that at this point I may keto my way right out of being a candidate for surgery. This is fine by me. ;D

  • Today's visit the gastroenterologist looked at my June weight and my current weight (in office 244 - I was well dressed and into my second liter of hydration by the time I got to the office) and shook his head. 'Do you even need surgery at this point? You can't possibly be a candidate.'

So I scheduled my pre-op endoscopy for just after my 5 month Keto-versary. If it's all good I will get cleared for the surgery I am totally not having.

Posted Aug 27, 2014, 2:16 AM UTC

7741
strikes-twiceF/25/5'2" SW:200 PCOS| CW: 165 | Goal: 20% BF (120-130)•

That is amazing, we got a badass over here.

25
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

...and you just made my night. Thank you fair Redditor, thank you. :D

11
strikes-twiceF/25/5'2" SW:200 PCOS| CW: 165 | Goal: 20% BF (120-130)•

You deserve it, please keep updating on this, we're rooting for you!

3
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

I most definitely will! Thanks!

2
[deleted]•

Hopefully your success will motivate these doctors to recommend Keto to other patients. Although doctors make money by surgery - I think most would rather see people lose weight via Keto than surgery !

10
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

It is my fervent hope that by doing all of this under rather heavily scrutinized medical supervision I can prove it can be done in less time without having 2/3rds of your stomach ripped out.

13
lovecrafty•

I applaud you for your hard work and hope you reach your goals. I was in the same position last year. I did go through with surgery and it has actually been a huge help with my ketoing and sticking to plan. I believe it was the best thing I ever did and I am still a keto-er even after surgery.

I had weight loss surgery because in spite of losing weight with keto, it wasn't enough to take me out of the range of obesity and I needed the additional tool to help me stay on plan for more than a few months. I would fall off the wagon and binge/gain the weight back. Keto was the best diet I ever used and had the best results but it still wasn't enough to overcome food issues that took a lifetime to develop. With my surgery (VSG) I find that keto is incredibly easy to stick to. Surgery is not a magic bullet. You still have to work, stick to a plan, watch portions and food choices, and exercise. You just get full faster and portion control is greatly aided by that.

Just wanted to add my perspective. I am a regular reader of this forum and find strength and community here and I am sure I am not the only post-weightloss-surgery member.

7
lekantoF/42/5'5" | SW 260 | Keto SW (5/6/14) 190 | CW 165 | GW 130•

I've had a lap band for almost 2 years. I don't know whether I would have gotten it if I had discovered keto first, but I can't say that I regret having a physical reminder to chew well and eat more slowly. I can still overeat and I still have to choose my foods.

3
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

Thank you for sharing this too! My surgeon refuses to do lap bands anymore which is part of my shift in perspective. I want something reversible, not sure why that is so important to me but it is. Mind if I PM you more questions?

I am sticking to my 'no surgery' right now as I was never a big yo-yo dieter and put on most of my weight thanks to some maintenance meds I was on -- I still have a problem with food portions and bingeing I own the behaviors that got me to where I was. So if I stay the course and don't have issues with staying Keto it makes sense for me to avoid WSL.

Thanks again!

2
lekantoF/42/5'5" | SW 260 | Keto SW (5/6/14) 190 | CW 165 | GW 130•

Feel free to ask me anything.

1
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

First, thank you so much for sharing your perspective. That is the position I started Keto with, i would stick with it but have the surgery anyway. I want to go the lap band way as my travel plans involve a fair amount of rough places and I would hate to have malabsorptive complications while battling dysentery or something. My partner is having a VSG because he is just not that adventuresome. ;D

WLS is a very personal decision. I am glad that it worked for you and you are sticking with Keto anyway. If I find myself unable to stick to the dietary shift or if other complications make it almost necessary then it would absolutely make sense to have it done. As I have no comorbidities (asthma is not considered one) I am not sure what will happen when the insurance hears what I have been up to.

Make no mistake, if I fall off, relapse what have you I will hold myself to it and have it done. May I pull your ear a bit to ask things if stuff goes doth for me? Thanks again for sharing!

2
lovecrafty•

Please feel free to PM me any time. There is also a small but active WLS section of LowCarbFriends.com (a low carber forum) where I often post for support or to learn how others handle certain issues concerning keto and WLS. You may want to check it out sometime.

2
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

Thank you for the tip! Although I will freely admit Reddit is about all I can handle right now. ;D

2
chefesita15lbs of fat left / building muscle!•

This made me so happy to read! Diet over surgery for the win!!!!

6
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

happy dance

3
muddygirl•

That's fantastic! Way to prove them wrong!

Also, just curious, but why go through with the endoscopy if you're not having the surgery? That seems unnecessarily intrusive.

4
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

Thanks! I am still going through it for a few reasons:

• I do have occasional heartburn and a family history of esophageal sphincter weakness.

• I am really delighted with Keto. Still, I don't want to let hubris get the best of me. As I have been obese/morbidly obese for most of my adult life, if things go sideways, my current health conditions worsen or I fall of the bacon wagon I will take myself right in and have the surgery.

• Part of the reason why I entered the program was to support my partner who will be having the surgery regardless of Keto. As his surgery date is already scheduled I want to remain accountable for both our sakes.

I hope that elucidates my reasons better.

7
mooloox•

That is great. It's awesome to see that you are doing what you need to in order to NOT have the surgery, but also great that you're on top of your health =).

3
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

Thank you ever so much!

2
koryismaf/31/5'4 | sw:210 (7/20/14) | cw: 179 | GW: 130(?) | MFP:taromit•

You have a great attitude, and are doing great things for yourself. Good for you! :)

2
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

Thank you! I just love the xxketo community. It's so incredibly supportive!

2
stizzle13F 24 5'5"/SW 152/CW 130/GW 123•

Oh, that's fantastic! You are totally going to show this surgery who's boss- anytime you can avoid a major surgery like that I consider it a huge win. Congrats on your hard work and sticking to it!!

2
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

Thank you! Look at you so close to GW! Way to go! Exclamation marks! Seriously though I know I am still at the beginning and the road gets harder from here. Still if this is what is being said only three months in I hope I keep proving people wrong the whole way down.

Ketonians assemble!

2
stizzle13F 24 5'5"/SW 152/CW 130/GW 123•

Aw, thank you! It has taken me 2 years of keto/low carb to get these stupid 20 pounds off because of some health issues. The road is bumpy but I have learned to just not make excuses for myself and go all-in. Trying to prove to myself and the doc that I do NOT have type 2 diabetes, just some insulin resistance, and I am determined more than ever to defeat both. Keep it up, hope to hear your progress soon.

4
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

Likewise! I'll keep posting and you keep proving your doc wrong too!

1
mooloox•

This post here was just so encouraging to me! I've been battling these last few pounds for awhile (on and off keto), so it's nice to hear you stuck with keto for two years!

1
FlayOtters44F 5'7" | SW: 503 (Jun '14) | CW: 420| GW: 180•

My Keto Heroine!

2
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

I need a bacon cape! MUA! ;)

3
FlayOtters44F 5'7" | SW: 503 (Jun '14) | CW: 420| GW: 180•

That would be the most delicious cape ever! Even Edna Mode would approve!

2
[deleted]•

Woo! You go girl!

2
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

Thanks!

1
katie-saurus34 5'6" SW:193.4 CW:166.6 GW:125•

Awesome!! I'm so happy you're sticking with keto :)

1
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

As am I, ham and cheese forever!

2
sugarhaven34 5'6'' | SW: 163 | CW: 150 | GW: 119•

Fantastic. Congratulation. That's such a positive message.

I am so glad that you took the keto way out and didn't opt for surgery. Hopefully, you can set an example and your doctors might start recommending keto diet to their patients.

1
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

Thank you! If is my fervent hope to show them all alternative medically managed weight loss programs should exist as part of what they do.

1
suitcasegnome27/F/5'4'' | SD: 08/12/14 | SW:209 | CW: 189 | GW: 140•

Holy cow! Congrats to you and your iron will! I hope you won't need the surgery, but it sounds like you don't need the help. ;)

1
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

Thank you! I wish I could say I don't but I saw pictures of myself last night and I just about cried because I saw no change at all. I feel like I'm in a four cornered room staring at candles! No idea why my body horrifies me so but I sat there looking at the photos just telling myself that it wasn't that bad. Oh well I'll just keep at it.

2
suitcasegnome27/F/5'4'' | SD: 08/12/14 | SW:209 | CW: 189 | GW: 140•

Photos are hard. I can't look at pictures either. I have to remind myself: You are making progress, even if you can't see it. The amazing changes you've made are why your doctors are changing their tune. YOU rock.

Easier said than done, of course, but you have got this.

1
OPGOP39F 5'8"| SW: 279 CW: 229 GW: 160 | SD: 1-Jun-14 | MFP: Kikikins•

Thank you. We are all in this little boat together rowing our way through tumultuous seas toward healthy island. We got this!

I am likely in an odd mood today.

2
suitcasegnome27/F/5'4'' | SD: 08/12/14 | SW:209 | CW: 189 | GW: 140•

Odd or not, I like it. It's kind of a reassuring image, actually. I picture an island filled with nice hammocks, treehouses, celebratory bubbly, and bikinis.

2
Sahaf185•

This is awesome. My personal observation (as someone who could have been in your shoes not to long ago) is that having surgery just forces you to do some of the things you already know you need to do. Limiting portions, moving more, cutting out empty junk foods...if you're already doing that with keto why get surgery.

Good luck! Sounds like you're hitting it out of the park.

1