Last Meal Syndrome

Okay, I am in the last week and a half of my 6 month required diet for insurance.  I know that in less than two weeks my paperwork will be submitted and then it will only be a matter of time until my RNY surgery (not even considering they will deny be again).

I have done okay on my 6 month diet and am currently down to drinking 3 protein shakes a day, and a meal with veggies and meat at night.  I have stopped smoking, stopped drinking, quit soda and carbs, and exercise at least 5 days a week.

But...

I keep thinking about that time between my supervised diet and my two week liquid diet.  I keep telling myself I need to eat this or that before my surgery, just one last time.

And it is not really my favorite foods - I see a commercial for a restaurant and think oh I have to have that before I have surgery. 

Why can't I stop thinking about how I am going to be bad while I am waiting for my approval?

I know it is crazy but I hope my insurance approves quickly so I don't put back the weight I have already lost before I have surgery.

You know we all think the same way.. gotta get that last meal in before surgery.. but in reality we can eat it all again in moderation of course but it will be a little time away from it. During the fast weight loss you probably wont even think about all that food on tv like you do now.. you will be so excited how faast that weight is coming off that nothing else will matter..

Just remember that this is it.. you have already started the journey.. Your journey does not just begin the day of surgery.. Look at all your accomplishment so far.. stopping smoking and losing weight at the same time.. huh,..that is so hard to do. you really need a good pat on the back for that.. no alcohol no soda and exercising.. you have already changed your life style.. your journey is on its way not waiting until the surgery date..

So dont cheat now.. you are too far in this to give in to the temptations. your last meal was the day you started the dieting and lifestyle changes.. So you are not looking for a meal before your journey begins it would be a meal in the journey.. so try to think of it that way.. You are not forbidden against eatting anything in due time.. so it is not the last time you will ever get to eat it..
I am so proud of you for the accomplishments you have made. So you be proud too and look at where you are at and what you have accomplished..  no food on earth is worth it now.. you are climbing that hill already and making great strides.. keep pushing.. the top of the hill will be here before you know it and then it will seem like it is all down hill and easy going from there..

I will pray for you for the strength to keep climbing..

I certainly felt pangs of Last Supper Syndrome, but I didn't go too crazy because I was scared to death of not being able to get my surgery if I didn't lose the weight the surgeon wanted me too.  The day before my surgery, when I was all liquids, I even had a few thoughts like "Oh no, I wanted one last Krispy Kreme!" etc.  

However, now that I'm 13 months out from surgery, I can honestly tell you that I do not miss any of those old, bad things from my pre-surgery days.  Honestly, I don't.  Because the life I have now is something I want much more than any piece of junk food.  So I never feel deprived -- in fact, to me, deprivation ended the day I got my surgery!

Good luck with it.  You *can* do this.  We are cheering for you!

Lesley

Thanks to both of you.

I honestly have not been thinking in the terms of my weight loss journey having already started.  All I am focusing on is getting ready for surgery and making the necessary changes, so I can be successful after the surgery.  I just see my pre-op time as my prep time then post-op will be when everything really starts.

Thanks for opening my eyes to the fact that I am already committed and have lived without all that crap for almost 6 months so why do I need it now?

Lesley, your success and your post were very encouraging; thanks.

I did 6 lbs worth of "last meals" in June. It doesn't really do anything for you. There is always something ELSE out there that you crave and that drives you crazy. This beast in us can't be fed enough; we have to TAME it. (I guess I'm quoting a lap band commercial where the beast is a lion, but I think of him as a big furry slobbering thing with stinky feet and bad teeth,.)

I read a book about end stage alcholism and the more you drink, the more you want. Food is like that for us. One final meal will make us want ANOTHER final meal for lunch the next day and then we'll want TWO big greasy meals a day. UGH.