Is it really easier on a post op to change bad habits before surgery?

I am a #1, no doubt about it procrastinator in every aspect of my life. Right now, I'm at work looking at my list of things to do, but posting here instead. I was just thinking about all that I have done vs. all that I HAVEN'T done to prepare for surgery and wondering what kind of a difference it truly will make in the grand scheme of things. I've quit smoking, I'm getting better control of my diabetes and I'm trying to do some form of exercise every day. I take a multivitamin everyday, I eat 3 squares and at least 1 snack, and I've lost the required weight needed to lose for surgery. I drink diet coke - with caffeine. I eat carbs (though, not too many) - often before the protein. I don't wait 1/2 hr. before or after a meal to drink, and I don't practice pulverizing my food before swallowing. Am I setting myself up to fail or am I just procrastinating? I'm not a good self-motivator. A lot of times, I won't do something until I'm FORCED to do it and I know that once I have surgery, I will be forced into better habits. What did you do and what was the outcome? Was it easy or hard to adapt to your new way of life based on the decisions you made in preparing for surgery? Would you change the way you did anything? Thanks for your feedback - I'm interested to see the responses... Michelle

Michelle, As you should know by now, I'm a "by the book" type of person. I went BY THE BOOK, to a TEE....and it worked for me. I don't think that I started to pulverize my food until I was cleared to solids....I didn't start the "no water or drink" routine until after surgery... I did eat SOME carbs, but not many prior to surgery. I was basically on the stage one South Beach for about 2 months prior to surgery. Try to cut out the caffeine...at least two weeks prior...a month, is better, just so you don't have a wicked headache at the hospital. Try to get rid of the soda now. I crave the taste of diet pepsi once in a while and didn't try any until WAY past a year out...and it was only a couple of sips with a lot of the fizz taken out. Right now, it seems like you're on the right path for a successful surgery. Keep the carbs and sugar down so your levels can be good...drink water instead of soda...or calorie free liquids like crystal lite, etc. Have that booklet that Liz gave to you at your ready and refer to it (all the post op phases and do's and don'ts) all the time... Like you, I'm a lay around type of gal and have to really be "pushed" to get up off my duff! But, once I'm determined to do something, there's no stopping me. I wanted this surgery SO much, I got right to the task at hand to have it and followed it. Now, if only I could feel the same zeal with this upcoming move! Write everything you eat down..including your fluids... Keep up the exercise...it'll make for a better surgery and recovery... Any idea when you'll have a surgery date? Write me paula

hi m, i was similar to you pre-op.still ate fast,carbs etc.right up to surgery.however you will change in a hurry.you are forced by a newly stapled pouch to be delicate with it or you will be an unhappy camper.6 months later i chew very well eat protein first,veg,than carb if there's room.don't worry you will get the hang of it and will learn to enjoy how well your body feels with the weight loss.by the way it is never easy to adapt but i did and so will you.i feel great now and don't want to look back. take it easy,joni

Michelle: Like Paula, I am a "by the book" gal. My favorite word became, "compliance". It goes without saying, following "the rules" works and helps to keep many, if not all, problems at bay. I documented all my liquid and food intake for months. And am considering doing it again. It helps keep you real and lets you know if you are getting enough. I weigh and measure all my food. I finally got the exercise part (thanks to my friends here and my PT hubby for their neverending patience!). That all said, I think you need to acknowledge all that you have done so far to prepare yourself for this surgery. Quitting smoking and better control of your diabetes is no small task. Give credit where credit is due. A few gold stars are in order. And... then... continue on by adding more good habits, letting the old negative habits go as you journey towards your new life post op. I stopped drinking with my meals preop, because I was such a guzzler of liquids when eating. And what I discovered (preop) was that I became fuller faster. I realized that I had been washing my food down for years, keeping me from feeling full. Go figure... who knew? Do whatever you can preop to prepare yourself. Be diligent and vigilant with your food program and it will take you a long way. good luck. the CT forum is here to support you as you continue your journey home to yourself. T.

What you do before surgery doesn't predict what you will be like after surgery. I did NO research, no preparing, only what the doctor had me do the week before surgery. I just knew I needed the surgery and this was my last change and I had to do it. After surgery is when I learned about the surgery. I follow the rules. Right after surgery you HAVE to or you will be sick. I was given another chance at life and I don't want to blow it. I love my life now. Yes, you will be forced into better habits after surgery. But you also have to remember the further out you go the more you have to adhear to the rules. I went to my first information meeting on Aug. 4, 2005 and I had my surgery on Sept. 16, 2005. From what I read - that is very fast. And I had a heart doctor to see and lots of tests to do for him also. After surgery the drinking soda, chewing and everything else will fall in place. Right now just concentrate on getting the tests done and doing the surgery. Good Luck. Koukla 338/181 17 months post op. -157 pounds and loving life and living life now.

Hi Michelle It sounds like you are on the right track. Just reduce fat, protein and no alcohol at least 2 weeks prior for surgery. This is to reduce the size of you liver and make it easier for the surgeon when he gets in there. ONly thing I wil give for advice post op is: Why tempt yourself with things you are told not to have. So many people say, I tried this or that and it made me dump. It will for a long time but it might not later. If you are doing well and have found a routine why even try to sabotage the progress you made. Trust me Im not flaming, Im just telling you, 90% of post ops seem to want to test these waters and end up a year or two out gaining back substantial weight. I pretend that I am diabetic (and I see you actually are) so these foods we aren't supposed to eat anymore are what I consider something that my body CANNOT have, period. The more you avoid carbs and sugar the more your body cannot have them. this in only MHO, but it works for many of us. Good luck and be healthy Tee

Hi, I think it all depepends what your having done I had the band I am alot like you .Boy a coke sounds good but we have made many sacifices to lose this weight. You sound like you are doing ok to me good luck deb c

Hi Michelle, You sound like you are on a good path and will be fine. You will be forced into some things and others you will have to just fight.........everyone has a slightly different path to walk. I have have to totally congratulate you on quitting smoking - I smoked from the time I was 11 years old until I was 37..........so I KNOW how hard it is to quit - good job on that - NEVER, EVER, EVER go back on that path - your addiction will call you for many years, ignore it - that's what I do - it gets easier and easier but never completely goes away - you just don't hear from it as often. I think food addiction is probably like that too - I am still conquering that even after having WLS Anyway - I wanted to say what I think isn't important, it's what you think that is - If you think you can- you will - just like the little train! Best of luck!!

I am pretty much like you in that I too procrastonate. There were two things that I did pre-op to prepare for surgery. One was stop the caffine. I knew that I would have a headache from hell if I didn't. At 14 months out, I don't really like what caffine does to me now so I don't have it much. The other thing I did was chew slower and more times. That really did nothing. You will adapt to the surgery. Don't assume that not doing everything perfectly now will mean failure. Just know that you do have to get on track as a post-op. If you know and are thinking about it already, I think you will do fine. Scott