Pre-op diet blues

I need to lose 20 pounds to get my BMI well below 60 for a laproscopic procedure...I am having trouble dieting....I feel so heavy it's hard to be motivated...if I was good at dieting, well, you know. Anyone out there have this trouble...I know I can be compliant after surgery, it's the fast results that kick in my resolve.....

Hi Me! I know how you feel....I can't even see my surgeon until I get my BMI to 60. I have to lose 25 to get there. I kind of felt discouraged, too but I am so excited to have this done that I decided I would lose the extra, even if it kills me. I figured this would be the last time I would have to try and diet on my own, and so far I'm doing ok. My scales aren't very accurate but I'm sure I've lost 15 of the 25. Yippee!!! So keep telling yourself that this is the last time you have to do this on your own...and think of the end result. That is what keeps me going! Best wishes, Peggy

Hi My dr. wanted me to lose 20# in order to have the lap version also. I managed to stay on Atkins long enough to do it.I was getting real irritable though! My surgery is scheduled for 6/8/05. I sure hope things work out for you. Kathy O.

Hang in there. I found that Atkin's worked really well for me. I lost 45 lbs. in 3 months. I could pig out on three-egg omelettes with sausage, cheese, and bacon, then have a (bunless) burger for lunch, then eat chicken wings and bleu cheese for dinner. Worked great for 3 months until I started craving things like milk, fruits, soda, sweets, etc. Also, you could really push yourself and go on a clear liquid diet, all sugar free. I have been doing mine now since last Tuesday to prepare my body for surgery, which will happen Wednesday, June 1. I can already see there is a difference in my weight, though I don't know how much, since I am too heavy for a standard home scale. I am guessing around 20 lbs. right now; will confirm it when I go to the hospital on Wednesday and they do my pre-op weigh-in. Have had nothing but sugar-free popsicles, water, flavored sugar-free water, and sugar-free jell-o. I even stopped doing the jell-o a couple of days ago, because I was getting bored with it. Those sugar-free popsicles are my savior. If it weren't for those, I am afraid I would have fallen off the wagon! It is definitely no fun being on this clear liquid thing while I smell all the wonderful smells of my neighbors' BBQs wafting through the open windows of my home, but if it is a means to an end for you, it might be worth it. You will feel like you are starving the first two days, then it gets better. After that, you will still get hungry, but when I do, I just eat a few of those popsicles, which are only 15 calories apiece, and that does the trick. I also go downstairs to the basement and work on the computer while my hubby has his meals; that is what I am doing right now. I also remember to take it one hour at a time and actually, I think this week will have been good training for me to differentiate "head hunger" from actual hunger, which is a skill I will need after surgery. Good luck. You will get there. - Beth

Hi Me, I agree that now would be a great time to start the liquid diet. Try out the differnt protein drinks and start the viatmin regamin also. I have been doing a mix of liquid and very small meals for over a week and so far it seems to have helped. I think I am down a couple of pounds... And like others my moods have went somewhat south. The liquid diet is no fun, but it does help to prep for surgery. Better to start preop and get used to it. My surgery is this week Weds and I will be glad to be on the losing side~! Stay positive and keep your mind on whats ahead~! Think small, think I can do it no matter what.. Gevin