Feel like I will never get surgery scheduled

Ok, been working on getting off my other 20 lbs before my 7/9/08 appointment, and I lost a few pounds again after the last appointment, but have seem to hit another plateau already.  I am so frustrated!  I am stuck at 395 to 398 on my scales.  Not sure the difference between my scale and the doc's.  I wanted to have the other 20 off so I can get my surgery scheduled, but now I have my doubts.  I am really dealing with portion control.  The Medifast diet I have been on has shrunk my stomach and I can't eat as much, but after decades of going to a restaurant and looking through the menu, with nothing in mind but trying to find the meal with the most food, it's a hard habit to break.  I would think I would want a particular item, but then realized it sounded like it didn't have that much food.  The few times we have gone out, I have started to order things that don't have as much, but even then when I get through, I think to myself that I could have ordered probably 1/2 of that.  Guess, at least, is a start.   I still need to shrink the portion control even more, but, like I said, after decades of eating a great amount of food, it's hard to tone it down.  I have bought saucers to use as plates, to trick myself in having a full plate of food.  I worry about that portion control post surgery, but I guess my pouch will definately determine that.  I am exercising some, but also need to step that up to start the weight loss going again.  Just letting off some frustrations.    Michael

Micheal - Just keep in mind that, as frustrating as it is now - no matter how hard it is - it's going to be worth it on the other side of the surgery. If Medifast isn't working, try Optifast or something else like it.  That's what my wife's surgeon put her on and she lost 14 lbs in two weeks, using a combination of Optifast and a small meal every day. You can do it. 

Thanks Dave.  Where does she get the Optifast?

Arkman I did weigh****chers and it works well but it is hard to make that a permant change. I lost 75 pounds in the past with ww, they show you what food to eat for the best weight lost. I was very seldom hungry when doing ww. it is a matter of looking up different food to see what there point value is and then track your points.  I still some what follow ww but not as strict and i been losing and gaining, I need to get serious again as I just got approval and i need to lose some weight before surgery. good luck and don't give up. Bill

Michael, For short-term, quick weight-loss, What worked best for me prior to surgery Was super low Carb. 10gms of Carbs or less per day. It allowed me to eat larger volumes of Meat, Feel fuller longer, and keep my body in a state of Ketosis, and the pounds falling off. It’s an easy one to stick to for a month, But hard as hell as a life style. (and not particularly healthy in the long run) Meat, eggs, cheese, no-Carb Veggies- salad, Tons of water, and little else… It works, but man oh man it makes a simple slice of braed seem like a slab of cake! Hope all works out for you. Best Wishes- Dx

Michael, Hang in there... you can do this!  Have you talked to Jess @ WW lately?  You can e-mail or call her and see if she has any ideas that would help.  Personally, the very low carb plan that Dx mentioned also worked well for me.  I combined very low carbs in my small meals with the Medifast products.  It did have a stall pre-op, but it passed - I know that yours will too! As for overfilling a plate or ordering too large a meal - I'm sorry to say that this issue will take some time.  Today at almost two months post-op, I still overfilled my plate of brisket and black beans.  I knew logically in my head that I could not possibly eat that much, but still... there it was on my plate when I got ready to eat.  As a post-op, a lot of it is still on my plate after dinner, because there is no place to put it. You can do this.  If you don't catch the nutritionist before you go back, talk to them when you're there and let them know what's going on.  It may help to keep an exact record of what you are eating for them to look over. Best of luck! John

Others have already given you great advice. I can only add that you need to keep your eye on the prize - a healthier, happier YOU!  It is tough, but most things worth while take a good bit of effort.  Stay focused on your goals, keep reminding yourself that your health is more important than any food, and that a healthy, happy lifestyle has rewards in all facets of your life. You can do this!!  Hang in there man!

I really appreciate all your encouragement.  I will definately stick with this and fine tune what I am doing, along with ya'll suggestions.  John, I will contact the nut and ask.  All of you have helped me alot and I will keep the final goal in mind.  Thanks, Michael

It sounds like you are able to control what you eat at home but have a problem when dining out.  Go to the old dieter's standby and have salads that contain grilled proteins.  Do not have regular house dressings.  I suggest buying Walden Farms sugar free and fat free salad dressings and bringing them with you.  I get mine from www.netrition.com and they normally come overnight with regular S&H of $4.95.  Otherwise, try to use any lite salad dressing but note that many that are low fat are not low sugar.   Or, you can just have the salad with no dressing.