Need to lose 9lbs in a week - help!

[Sylver75]

I was scheduled for urgent neck surgery on Feb 29th, got a call 3 days before to say it was cancelled and to ring back in 14 days when I'd lost 14lbs. I decided to cut calories to 600 per day and lost the first few days, then it ground to a halt. I upped calories to 900 hoping it might help but I'm still seeing very little movement on the scales (0.2lbs) this morning, I weigh daily. I'm drinking two litres plus of water, eating mostly protein (eggs, chicken or turkey) but am panicking that I'm running out of time.

I risk being paralysed from the neck down without this surgery. The surgeon fought the anaesthesist to get it done but they wouldn't budge.

I'm 48, BMI is 48.4 and they want it below 47 by next Tuesday. That's 8.5lbs in a week.

I tried my GP, she just talked me into going on Ozempic so I'm on that now too since last week but at 600cals the injection isn't gonna make me wanna eat less than I've been doing already through sheer willpower.

I'm desperate at this point. Not getting this surgery will be potentially catastrophic to the whole rest of my life.

Has anyone got experience of having to do this?

I can't exercise, I've been warned that any jerking of my neck could be disastrous so I'm risking it all just by going to work or doing anything at all. The surgeon said it's the type of injury he'd normally see if someone had been in a car wreck. I've not had any accident but have degenerative issues with my spine, this will be my third surgery, had two on my lower back already and 15 years plus of pain.

How are you, @Sylver75?

I'm struggling. Sorry I've not been on here to reply.

I lost 21lbs in 22 days but now the hospital want another 7lbs. They've changed the target three times on me now.
A dietitian is now involved and she upped me to 800calories and said more protein.

I've weighed and tracked everything and yet had two days when I gained 3.5lbs and .8lb. I'm only a single pound less than I was this time last week.

I got a date for surgery, the pre-assessment is less than 4 weeks away and if I haven't the 7lbs lost by then, I'll be cancelled again. I will crack up. My neck is getting sore more often and the risk of ending up paralysed still a major fear.

I don't know what to do. Go back down to 500 calories? Go up and go back down again? I don't have time to waste. Another week like this past one losing only a pound and I may as well give up on the hope of having the surgery.

Try Petronella Ravenshears Human Being Diet.

You done incredibly well OP. This must be so difficult. I've watched a few of those 'Americas Biggest Loser' type shows and despite doing everything possibly they always seem to have weeks when they gain. 7lbs in 4 weeks is doable especially if you factor in last minute laxatives or diuretics or whatever. Not easy though. I hope you have lots of support.
Good luck.

That sounds awful and so stressful. You have done incredibly well and if I were you I would continue with dieticians advice and persist with the calories they suggest. I have always found losing weight is not linear and sometimes I can lose 5lb in a week and sometimes nothing.

Please keep going and hopefully they will eventually agree to do the surgery. Is it worth asking for a second opinion or finding a different hospital or will your private health insurance not cover that?

How did you lose the initial weight ?

Try not to worry I think at your weight you'll lose 7lbs easily in 4 weeks if you can just stick to extremely low calories, lots of protein and water

Try not to worry about those days where the scales show you going up, there is no way you have 'gained' in reality, thats just normal fluctuations. But I understand the worry of that happening on the day of assessment because it will look like you're heavier than you are

Have they given any explanation as to why they keep changing the target?

*@Sylver75 I hope things are a bit better for you. I really hope you get your surgery.