Help! Pre-Op Question...

I need to lose 10 pounds before surgery. I'm having a hard time losing the weight. I know I can lose weight by dieting and exercising, but everyday is like a "food funeral" to me and I'm not even planning on having surgery until August/September time frame.  I'm always like "tomorrow is the day I'll start dieting," but then I keep on procrastinating. It's like I have no will power around food and I binge.  I know what I should and shouldn't be eating, but I can't follow through. Has anyone dealt with this? I obviously don't want to get this surgery and fail because I can't say "no." I'm seeing the Psych next week and want to discuss this with him, but if I'm totally honest, will I get denied for surgery (assuming I need more therapy due to my issues)? Do you think my mode of thinking will change after surgery? I'm still undecided between the RNY and VSG. I know the surgery operates  on your stomach and not your head! 

To be honest, I was a lot like this.  I do recommend that you be completely honest with your psychologist.  I was, and was put in an eating class to work on my diet and learn what to expect after surgery.  I will tell you that once I began the pre-op diet, I was completely committed.  I didn't sway from the liquid diet and I have stayed completely on plan without exception since my surgery.  Just because you're having food funerals now doesn't mean that you don't have what it takes to succeed.  

Thank you! I appreciate your encouragement. I want to be successful, but I'm not sure if I'm 100% ready yet. Everyone says start these good eating habits before surgery, but it's hard.  I mean, you have to comply after surgery, so it forces you to stay on track.  I think I'll be okay with that. But as for now, I feel like there's still room to cheat. I feel like I'm already failing :-(

People cheat after surgery as well.  Unfortunately it's not a magic bullet.  The surgery can't "force" you to stay on track.  You can eat around your sleeve or RNY if you're determined enough.

I think some therapy at this point would benefit you greatly.  

Major changes can cause stress.  How about changing one thing a week?  I.e. eat ass you do week one but no soda. No regular no diet?  Jus****er, unsweet tea, coffee etc. No juices - they are base for us. Low sodium vegetable V8 may be option. Make sure you drink 64-128 oz of liquids as day. 

The next week - tthe no soda continue + replace one meal with someting healthier - veggies + lean proteins (no limit on qty but WHAT  you eat)

The week after - continue what you did week 2 and have 2 meals healty. 

Even 6 years post op - if I need to change things - I try to change one bad habit a week.  

Changing the type of food I eat - without counting calories and qty first - make me feel like I can eat as much as I want - just need to make sure it is the right foods. 

Once all my meals are "good for me foods" and no want to lose somer weight (I.e 10 lbs regain) after my diet is good and clean, and most my cravings are gone - then I can limit the qties and calories to lose weight. 

Simple me meal ideas:

- veggies omelet, with some lean ham, fresh veggies,  

- green salad with tuna or chicvken , vinegar and oil ad as dressing ( add olives, pickles, based boiled egg, etc) put as few cut up strawberries... Eat as much as you want. 

-roasted veggies with butter, roased or baked chicken. 

- green beans + any proteins. 

For me, even now - some foods are "free foods" - food I can eat as much as often I want and not worry about them - like : lean chicken breast (not drenched in fat), tuna, cucumbers. Pickles (NSA), green raw veggies.  

And so on. 

When I am on a "restrictive diet" long term - I give myself a day that I don't count calories or qty - but I am still mindfull what I eat because since RNY some foods just don't agree with me, and I learned the hard way that pain and discomfort for 2-3 days is just not worth the 5-10min pleasure I get eating foods my body doesn't like.  

We don't get fat because we have healthy attitudes about food.  Giving up that comfort is very hard, before or after surgery, until you conquer some demons that drive you to overeat.

I would suggest that you consider regular therapy to start working on your head.  The psych at your surgeon's office probably isn't enough.  If you can't afford it, check out Overeaters Anonymous.  Your mode of thinking won't completely change due to the surgery.  Your mind will still have those cravings and temptations unless you address some of the root causes.

Having surgery was the best thing I could do for myself, but taking the time to delve into my emotional well-being was just as important.  Very best of luck to you.