diep question

Hello,

 Hello,

I am in a similar place to you. Got referred for consideration of DIEP before my mastectomy. My local hospital don’t do the procedure, and the regional centre in Birmingham do not do it immediately. Anyway, I had an initial consultation in Birmingham where they said I needed a BMI of less than 30, which meant losing about 18 KG in weight. Gulp.

But anyway,  I put on weight before my operation and  in the weeks afterwards, too many friends taking me out for coffee and cake was my downfall. But then I set a date to start losing weight seriously, and bought a couple of books by Michael Mosley. Try the Fast Diet, or 5:2. It is all very sensible stuff, and takes away some of the myths about dieting. So far I have lost 11kg, And I’m going back to Birmingham in a couple of weeks to start the full assessment for DIEP. And I’m going back to Birmingham in a couple of weeks to start the process of full assessment for DIEP.

 What has worked for me I think is being very strict with myself on about five days a week, and less strict at the weekend. The suggestions for what to eat are genuinely very filling and also very tasty. As a bit of a foodie that is very important to me. And I give myself permission at Christmas and when I’ve been away on holiday to just eat and drink what I want  and get back on track when I am back at home. 

 Good luck! You can do it!

Hello,

I am in a similar place to you. Got referred for consideration of DIEP before my mastectomy. My local hospital don’t do the procedure, and the regional centre in Birmingham do not do it immediately. Anyway, I had an initial consultation in Birmingham where they said I needed a BMI of less than 30, which meant losing about 18 KG in weight. Gulp.

But anyway,  I put on weight before my operation and  in the weeks afterwards, too many friends taking me out for coffee and cake was my downfall. But then I set a date to start losing weight seriously, and bought a couple of books by Michael Mosley. Try the Fast Diet, or 5:2. It is all very sensible stuff, and takes away some of the myths about dieting. So far I have lost 11kg, And I’m going back to Birmingham in a couple of weeks to start the full assessment for DIEP. 

 What has worked for me I think is being very strict with myself on about five days a week, and less strict at the weekend. The suggestions for what to eat are genuinely very filling and also very tasty. As a bit of a foodie that is very important to me. And I give myself permission at Christmas and when I’ve been away on holiday to just eat and drink what I want  and get back on track when I am back at home. 

 Good luck! You can do it!

Hi, thanks for replying.  I feel so fed up with it all.  I have cut down since feb but haven't been on a strict diet.  My BMI is currently around 30.2, its just all around the worse place - tummy..  You just want to move on with everything and I feel stuck at the moment.  I have increased my exercise dramatically.  I walk most days for 2 hours with my dog.  I have been running and also joined a gym.  Am going most days and working hard.  I know the answer is to strictly diet so am starting today with a new outlook.  Thanks for your advice, I will look at the 5:2 diet (have ordered the book from Amazon).  I weigh the same as before treatment (lost 2 stone during chemo) but its gone back on me around my middle. Good luck at your appointment, 11kg weight loss is amazing, well done.x

Not sure why my message appeared twice, sorry!

 It sounds as though your surgeon has a lower weight target than mine. I was definitely told that a BMI of 30 was the ceiling, yours sound lower than that. You might want to ask them why. 

The other thing I should’ve said is it helps to keep a diary for a couple of days of absolutely everything you eat. I am pretty good at deluding myself as I’m eating healthily when lots of snacks have crept in. Even when snacks and additions are ‘healthy’, the calories all adds up. Writing it all down it does make me more aware of that. 

And it’s also about getting yourself permission to eat what you want sometimes. I’ve had a very good week this week, but will be making my signature rhubarb and ginger Pavlova for a family party on Sunday, and will most definitely be having some myself. Feeling deprived doesn’t help in the long run.

And the other thing I did was get a Fitbit. I have been very dubious, but it has nudged me into doing more exercise, although it sounds as though you are well ahead of me on that.  It also tells me how many calories I use in the day, which does vary with exercise, but I was surprised actually how few calories are used by exercise. 

 Good luck! 

Hi,thanks for the advice. You sound very like me and your tip to write things down help. I have relaxed about eating this week as I am feeling so fed up with everything but I know thats not the answer. My BMI is above 30 though whatever way you look at it so I still have work to do. I just expected to go the appointment and be booked in. I never even though about weight so it has thrown me a bit,but I know its for my own good. Hope your appointment goes well and thank you so much for replying I really appreciate it.