Is it possible to lose weight and not have surgery?

Welcome to the boards. Congrats on those first 5 pounds.  I do disagree, the first pounds are just as important and count as the ones down the road. I might suggest you make an appointment with your dr. to see if he/she can help you with a diabetic eating plan OR you might want to see a nutritionist.  Everyone has specialized needs and it might help you to sit down and go over what might work best for you with your health needs in mind. No you shouldn't do the same diet as the WLS patients per say.  I'm a recent WLS patient and I can say the only reason I eat such low calories is that my stomach limits it.  Also, I'm under the care of a dr. and nutritionist that tell me the calories I should be under and how much protein I MUST get in.  What you can do is look at the foods you are eating and be sure you get in a good mix of proteins and fats, with a limit on carbs as you're diabetic.  What should those percentages be?  I have no idea. It sounds like you've made an excellent start.  Just be mindful of your food, portion size, and try and get in some type of exercise.  The rest takes time.   All the best, Melinda

You're right, I'm being impatient.  I want to see a difference already.  OK, I feel a little better! 

I completely understand and I get impatient too.  Just keep working your plan and come here for support.  We know what you are going through.

Thank you so Much!! 

Thanks!  I'm so glad I posted this question.  I've never received so much support!

if only we could just BLINK and it'd be off...wouldn't that be wonderful? I have found myself quitting several times because of not losing fast enough but ask yourself this: Did I get this way overnight?   I can answer that for you: NO ... So what in the world makes you think it'll come off that fast. Stick with it and you'll be proud...and hey claim the 5 pounds...YOU  EARNED IT!

Low fat, low cal may not be right for you.  I struggled to lose weight...started with a trainer last July, played with my intake (calories and carbs), discovered I'm prediabetic, had lost 30lbs along the way and on Atkins am losing fast which is slow for 7 months.   I was 320, am 282 now.  I previously ate betwenn 800-1500 calories and now eat about 2300 calories a day on Atkins (but I exercise like a madwoman, so I don't need nor should I go so low on cals, in fact it's not a good idea).

I left a message for my DR about Akins.  I researched it and I do believe it would be the right choice for me .  I think I'm finding out that the carbs, or type of carbs I've been eating, IS what's my problem.   I dropped most carbs from my food plan yesterday, my morning blood sugar test was 120, very low for me.  I have no headache.  I lost 2 pounds. WOW.

  I'd like to see somebody try to tell me that my first 10 pounds didn't count.  We'd still be fighting!    Which by the way would be a pretty good workout. Whatever you do, don't give up.  Losing with diabetes, or any other kind of hormonal issues is slower but very doable.  Insulin is the worst hormone in my book because it can make you fat when it goes out of whack.  So you have to give yourself more time for losing because at this stage of the game in your life...losing takes longer...please don't shoot the messenger!  I'm fifty years old and have lost 117 without surgery, and a severe case of PCOS.  So let's just say it can be done...the hard way, but done. You say you can't do Atkins because of carbs being too low.  You might try going on the Atkins website and signing up for one of the classes that pertains to your situation...and it's free.  Or search the site for your needs specifically.  Maybe the Ongoing Weight Loss stage would meet your needs a lot better.  If nothing else, you can read all of the hidden forms of sugar that are in products that may be slowing your weight loss down.  Like, maltodextrin, corn syrup solids, and starches in your vitamins.  People like us have to be very dilligent about reading labels, cuz those sneeky processed foods can be loaded with sugar. I hope you can get a handle on what works for your body specifically.  It just may take a while to adjust.  But at least you are on your way to losing already, and it doesn't take that much of a loss before you start to see health improvements.  And it only gets better from here. Best wishes, Mary

LOL!!!  I hear " the first 10 pounds is just fluid, just junk in your bowels"  Well, if that's true, at least I'm past that part!!