Hey Folks... new here...

Hi Keisha,

Welcome to a great forum.  You will get lots of support and advice here.  Congrats on making the decision to have WLS, it is a big one and will change your life for the better.  Try to stay positive as you start your diet for your 20#,  YOU CAN DO IT.   I didn't have a specific amount of wt to loose before my surgery, but I really tried to cut back on stuff.  Just quitting pop and junk food will help alot!!!  Try to walk everyday, and increase your water intake!!  Try to get at least 75 oz in a day, this will help start the wt loss also!!!  Good luck, and keep us updated!!

Caroline

Thank  you all for all the words of encoragement.  I really appreciate it and I needed to hear  from people who were in the same boat I am and have made it through successfully. I am gonna buckle down and get rid of these 20lbs and move on to my new fulfilling life.

Thanks Again for the encoraging words!

Keisha, welcome!  Just changing a few habits could drop those pounds easily.  Do you drink soda?  Even if they are diet, they make you retain water.  You won't be able to drink it after surgery anyway so go ahead and drop them.

Cut out fried foods period.  Watch your sodium.  Just little changes can help you drop the weight quick. 

Hi Kiesha  :)

 You can do it!  I needed an ASS kick (a SWIFTone!) too.  My nutritionist told me to read South beach and try it.  Grudgingly I did.  I hated that book and it's hoity tioity recipes and EXPENSIVE shopping lists but I tried my own version of it.  NO carbs (at 1st) not even FRUIT and lots of low fat protien.  I was a total byatch for the 1st 2 weeks (PHASE I) as I adjusted to it.  Then it got easy.  I was able to add in some whole grain carbs and I had almost no uncontrollable sweet/white carb cravings.  It worked.  Oh my god, it worked.  I lost 81 lbs on it pre op.  I went from 487 and unable to walk to 406 and had a safe surgery.  It got me ready to eat the way I will be eating for the rest of my life so now it's just second nature.  Hang in there and take a look at South Beach.  The stage I is the important part bc/ it KILLS the carb cravings and makes it so much easier to lose.  If you can get through it you will notice a big difference.  :)  :)  :)