pre surgery weightloss

Hello everyone,
I am kinda new to this posting stuff.  I was hoping that maybe you all had some advice about losing the pre surgery weight.  I have to lose 30lbs.  It seems like it will not move.  I don't feel like I can do it, but want to.  I have been following the nutritionists menu.  did anyone else feel like it would never happen.  I don't want to be a pessimist but I cant shake it. I am normally a positive person.  Anyway, any advice?

Hi Ginjer, and welcome. 

The weight loss is necessary, and will actually help you in the long run.  Try and use smaller plates at every meal, also chew your food well.  You will have to do that anyway after surgery, so you should get used to it now.  Also cut your food in smaller pieces, and eat very slowly.  Don't get caught up in the "last supper" syndrome.  You can still eat many things after surgery, so you don't have to cram them all in now.  Make sure you get plenty of protein.  I actually switched my diet from a carb based to a protein based diet, and found that the weight came off much easier.  You should also exercise at least 3 times a week.

Finally stop saying "I can't", and start saying "I will".  You need to make up your mind if you really want to go through all of this.  Believe it or not, much of this is psychological.  If you believe, it will happen.  Don't look at the number either....just go one pound at a time.

For me I started losing weight when I stopped eating bread and drinking any kind of soda. Are you coming to the support groups?

Eat on smaller plates, take at least 20 minutes to eat each meal. Cut your food into very small bites and chew each bite 20 times. Drink lots of water, stop drinking soda or anything with caffeine in it. Walk, walk, walk, it is the easiest way to start to exercise.

Most important, lose the word can't from your vocabulary. You can do this. Go to support group meetings; and if you have any questions or need a friendly shoulder to lean on, come here and give us a holler.

Welcome :)  I am also pre-op, and I've had success losing weight by following a high protein/low carb plan, and by keeping track of everything I eat.  I try to keep my carbs to those that come from veggies and whole grains only.  You can do it!
Anne

Yes you can do it!! When I was pre-op I counted every calorie. I wrote everything down. I began to measure my food as well. I walked everyday for 30 minutes. I ate no more then 1200 calories a day. 
The weight will come off. It got easier as the days past. You WILL do it!!!!

Rosemary

Thank you all for the support and suggestions.  I am feeling much better and have gotten out of my funk.  I can and will do this.  Thank you all again.  I wish you all great sucess and my thoughts are with you.

Hi Ginjer.
I hope your doing well. I too am having some difficulty getting off my 23 pounds of pre-surgery weight and I was wonderring if you're making progress now and what you might have done to help along the way. I can't wait to have warmer weather so I can go outside and walk - I know that will help.

Hey Tracyinnh!
Sorry it has taken me a couple of days to respond.  Thank you for responding!  I love this forum.  I am doing considerably better.  I realize this probably sounds crazy but, I had a stern talking to myself. 
I literally went to my bathroom mirror and had a long talk with myself.  I repeated I could do it, that I am worth it, that I am the only one who could do it, and that I was not going to be the reason I did not have this surgery.  Every time I go into the bathroom now I give myself a pep talk.  (sometimes I kiss myself in the mirror)  This helps me not to feel so........down, defeated, just plain bad. I am actually started to enjoy my conversations.

That has helped me out of the funk, BUT I still have to lose the weight.  I tried some of the suggestion I have read on here.  I use a smaller plate and smaller bites and alots of chewing.  This helps me to feel like I am eating more.  I also gave up soda. which has been hard for me. But it will be worth it.  I am a stay at home mom so I started walking indoors to a walking DVD.  It's kinda fun, and I do it while my son is taking his nap.  I do it on days I can't get to the gym.  I also can't wait for the spring.  I have serious cabin fever......maybe this is why I talk to myself!

You probably did not need to have me prattle on so.  Let me know if this helps you. I know you can do it.  I know this because if I can do it you can to.  I try to look at it like this, when I wake up I think only of that day and what can I do for this day towards my goal.  If you mess up you are human and its not a failure if you pick yourself up and try again! 
GOOD LUCK!

Hi Ginjer,
I also am doing much better. It's funny but it seemed like once I wrote down the fact and admitted to myself that I was having trouble I realized that the reason was I was scared. But I've been talking to myself also and it's okay to be scared - it's down right normal when facing surgery. So, I'm not letting that get in my way anymore. I've taken off a little more weight too and I'm well on my way to being at goal - or under
I'm very happy to hear you are doing well too!
Last night I had a little accident - I think my ankle is sprained - hope it's not broken I could let that be a reason to feel sorry for myself and then eat myself into sedation. Instead I figured it's just my ankle. Let's see what happens - I'll take care of it one way or the other but it's not an excuse to eat the foods that put me over 350 pounds. I'm so happy with that decision and proud. I can see myself being successful and I love it!
I've done everything I need to do up to losing the pre-surgery weight. I plan to have that achieved before the end of the month - sooner actually... but now my walking will be hindered so end of the month is fine.
Have a great day!!!!