HELP!!!! PRE SURGERY DIET

Did anyone go though this prior to surgery.  My surgery is 4/18/08, and I have been unable to modify my diet, although I am not eating as if is my "last supper,"  I have not given up carbs.  It seems that once again I don't have the commitment that I need to change the way I handle or view food.  I feel as if I am consumed with the thought of the surgery and life afterwards, I don't seem to be able to be committed to the new lifestyle that is ahead of me.  I don't want to fail.  I want to be successful.  But afraid that I will fail again.  Any suggestions, movitational words or advice would be appreciated. Thanks

for some reason, in the last week or 2 before myy surgery, it was like the flood gates opened up and I had been given permission to eat as horribly as I wanted to.  A friend of mine when through this too.  I think phychologically, you just say Hey, I"m having the surgery, so what's it gonna hurt...or I think that was my thing. I tried to heavily modify my eating and tried to stop with the sweets, etc. and I failed at it.   I had no self control. NOw that I"ve had the surgery; things are much better.   First of all, right after surgery you can't eat and you really don't have an appetite; which helps you to modify things. Not to say you won't get tempted, but things are much better after surgery. You'll be good girl....good luck on your upcoming life changing surgery.

Thanks, you seem to understand what I am going through.  I know that God has great things for me and at this moment I am making a decision to change my mind on how I will work with my tool to finally  be successful with my new life that God is giving me. Shardon

I don't know what kind of diet you are supposed to be on, but I had to do, and many others did also, a 2 week before, and a 2 weeks after diet of protein drinks.  I will say this to you.  If you want to succeed then you need to stop eating.  You are in control of what you place in your mouth, no one is forcing anythig down your throat.  This surgery is not going to keep the weight off of you.  After the first year, it gets harder and harder to lose, because you will find that you can eat things that you were not able to eat before.  If you don't learn now, and control yourself, and pay attention to what you eat and change, you will lose weight, but you will end up like so many people and put it back on.  I didn't want to fail either, because I had so many other times, I have lost 159 lbs, and I need to lose at least 50 more and it is not that easy.  You must teach yourself, like I have done and keep doing everyday and curb those carbs.  Janine on here, she is 6 years post op and has lost over 30 lbs.  The TOOL is always there, it's whether you choose to use it that makes you a success or failure. I wish you all the luck in the world, it's not so easy and I know all too well how you are feeling and what you are going through.  Just learn, even if from your mistakes.  Get out there now and eat all the high protein low carb foods you want.  Pig out on that stuff and you will lose before surgery.  It's only better for you in the long run to learn now. Good luck again, Diane

Thanks for your "tough love,"  It shook me back on track.  I will see you on the loser's bench.  I believe we live close enough to see each other at support group in San Bernardino.  Hope to meet you face-to-face one day. Shardon

We shall meet and I look forward to it.  You will LOVE the support group.  Thank you for understanding the tough love and not taking offense to it.  I had alot of weight to lose and I still am not done, and that is the only way I can stay on track sometimes, is by realizing I am really the only one responsible for me. Looking forward to the day we meet. Hugs, Diane

Ok, I will comment here.  You are talking about being unable to modify your diet.  You must must start to make the changes that you will need to continue with the lifestyle changes that you will need post op.  You need to view food differently too.  You have to eat to live not live to eat.  It is important to make the changes now as when you continue on with your new lifestyle as when you hit a year out it gets harder as many people can eat things that they couldn't in the beginning and if you can't make the changes now will you be able to make them later.  All that I can say is you must change the way you think about food and make the lifestyle changes.  I know that it is hard but to be successful you need to make the changes. best of luck to you in your journey. Liz

Don't stress, you will be fine!  I had the exact same concerns.  I had a really hard time giving up carbs before surgery, as well.  Lots of people have done Atkins at some point or another in their life, but not me!  I was NEVER interested in that diet!  I was doing Weigh****chers, though, so I was eating less carbs in general, but I was definitely still eating carbs! It will be different after surgery, promise!  You will have all of these barriers in place that will help you stay off the carbs; knowing that your little pouch might get plugged up with doughy carbs was number one for me!  And let EVERYONE know that you can't have carbs post-op, that helps.  At this point if anyone I know saw me eating a cracker, they would be horrified!  At work they actually know the DATE I can eat carbs again (June 13th)!  There have definitely been times I've craved the carbs post-op, but that little pouch really keeps your hunger and cravings in check.  It won't be nearly as hard post-op; at least it hasn't been for me. Believe me, we've all had difficulty controlling what we eat pre-op, you are not the only one.  We were all morbidly obese before surgery, right?!  Kinda shows that none of us were that great with the self-control!  Just do the best you can, and have faith that the surgery helps tremendously! Two more weeks!  I'm so excited for you!

Thanks so much for your kind words and reminding me that all of us are struggling or we would not be on this website. Thanks.  I am excited as well and nervous