Last Supper Syndrome

Anyone heard of this?  I am so darn close....I have done all the tests, had the psych eval, done the bloodwork---and am ready to set up a 'real' meeting with the surgeons office.  They require a maintained 10 lb. weight loss. I have lost and found these same ten lbs. about 6 times this year! I was reading in 'WLS for dummies' about something called Last Supper Syndrome---where in your head you feel like your 'never' going to eat normal again and you just eat even more than you normally would.  I think this is what is going on in my head----at first I thought it was just because it was my 'last' Christmas to eat 'normal'. ARGH.  I know that I need to get my mind about total life change! Just looking for some suggestions on getting those darn 10 lbs off and maintained. Michelle

You are totally NORMAL!  Just be carful to not let those last few lbs creep back up before surgery.  I have surgery next wednesday and Ill tell ya I have been planning out a few last meals here and there... not to mention those damn girl scout cookies got delivered!!!!!  So all in moderation... let yoruself indulge a little but deep down you know what you have to do to get this done.  On those days I know that I am going to be extra bad, i do a little extra cardio... or make sure i just have a shake for BFast or lunch...  so far I have my 11 lbs off that i was required and am maintaining.   Michelle where are you having your surgery?  Good luck to you and your journey Kate

It really helped me to look at it in this way... every pound I lost before my surgery was one less to lose POST OP.  It helped me to lose 34 lbs pre op instead of the 21 lbs I had to lose.  Just remember the drs WILL (& Have) turned people away on the day of surgery because they did not maintain their 10% loss.  You can DO this... keep focused on the goal... getting to have your surgery :)  Best wishes.

Hi Mich, not sure which program in the Manchester area you are going thru, but if going thru the one with Dr. Gould, he is a definite stickler to the "maintain those 10 pounds lost rule".  I way I was able to maintain the loss (and lose an addition 20) before surgery was to get used to the liquid diet.  I would do the stage 2 diet one week a month prior to getting my surgery date.  then the 2 weeks prior to surgery when you are required to do the liquid diet, it was not such a shock to the sytem.  Plus it definitely helped to lose the weight!.   I am now almost a year out and have lost my goal of 100 pounds.   I wish you much success in your weight loss journey.  It has been well worth it for me - am into sizes of clothing i have not worn since sophomore year of high school - (and I am a grandmother!!)

Hello And Pleased To Meet You,     I haven't lost my weight yet-don't actually know just what I have to lose.  But I have been trying a sort of phased-in approach.  I made of a list of many changes I'd have to make to be successful post-op.  You know, all the ones in the Dummies book and the ones we are learning about on this board : no sugar, low carb, high protein, water, water, water, daily exercise, food diary and so on.  I'm sure my list is very much like anyone else's.  I decided to begin now and to add changes gradually.  I stopped all soda and all processed sugar.  I'm pushing the water.  I am about to stop coffee (boo hoo!).  I hate decaf and so it's fine with me to say 'so long.  You get the idea.  I'm doing the easy stuff and I'm preparing for a few of the harder ones.  I want to begin measuring portions and keeping a food log.  I want to do this even though it's kind of horrible to think of.  But I believe it will pay off for me post-op so I want to use my 6 or 7 months of pre-op time as good habit-forming time instead of just a bad habit giving up time.  Something like that.    I can't say as I've had too much of a struggle with the Last Supper problem as yet.  Maybe it's coming?  Funny-I was caught in a bind last week and had to have a pretty high-carb supper or nothing and it wasn't a thrill at all.  I honestly couldn't enjoy it.  Anyway, I'm sure you'll figure it out and do fine.  But if you ever figure out how to stop loving sweets, please let me know.  LOL. 

Hi- The Last Supper syndrome is definitely out there as a possibility and it's good that you're aware of it.  I had the same feelings re: will I ever eat "normal" again.  The truth is, I wasn't eating normally before - I was way over-eating - eating the wrong stuff and eating way too much of it.  That's why I was morbidly obese.  Now I think about how much and what I used to eat and I can remember how stuffed I always felt, my lack of energy.  That wasn't normal. And the other truth is that I am now eating normally - a new normal for me and it's working well.  I have many foods that I enjoy and look forward to, and I do not feel deprived.   It's great that you're reading up and starting to think about these things - that's what will lead to the total life change you mentioned  - and you can do it!

I guess I figured that I already knew the answer in my own head.  It is about sucking it up and just doing it and making a decision that THESE are the requirements and if you really want this----THIS is what you must do. I liked the idea of easing into it.  That is what I have tried the last two weeks and I did lose 6 lbs---so I do KNOW in my head that small changes make a huge difference when your 'normal' is horrible overeating.  My friend has been doing weigh****chers for about 8 months and has lost 40lbs so I am following her lead.  More whole foods, eating a weigh****cher treat rather than a sleeve of oreos (laugh with me, I know you have done it), just ten minutes of exercise a day to start (I have a stationary bike). My doc said to me, "I think you would do just fine if you give it a half hearted attempt".  I told him, "Oh, I can do almost anything HALF ASSED." My food/mind relationship needs some readjusting.  Of course, I would guess that I wouldnt be in this position if it didn't! Michelle

You're on the right track.  It's not what you do once in a while that counts it's what you do EVERY DAY.  So, if you can start out exercising 10 minutes EVERY DAY, get comfortable with that and then see what else you are willing to do.  Make gradual changes and aim for consistency rather than "I'm going to bust my butt at the gym like those people on The Biggest Loser".  I assume you will be going to behavior mod classes, they're pretty much required no matter who your doctor is.  That will be a big help with the food/mind thing.  You will end up with some awesome tools to help you. My two cents on the whole thing is that it's a lot of work and a lot of aggravation and IT'S ALL WORTH IT.

Michelle - try supplementing your breakfast and lunch for a protein shake... that is how I took off 18 lbs of my required weight loss!!!  Plus it is a way to help you get used to drinking for that pre op diet phase!