First Appointment Done!

Today I had my appointment with the nurse practitioner. I am one step closer to surgery which I still have mixed feelings about. The nurse gave me a few guidelines of changes that I need to make before surgery, tracking food, reduce caffeine, cut out soda etc.

I have also been booked for my first pre-surgery group class, from that date there will be a minimal 6 weeks until the next series of appointments.

Any advice you wish to share?

I had mixed feelings almost to the end. I was afraid because I'd never had surgery, terrified I wouldn't be able to manage the pre-op diet, or that I'd fail.

Now that I'm 9 weeks out and down 62.4 Lbs since starting Optifast, I am so glad I decided to go through with it.

I don't feel in bondage to junk food anymore, and I was. I had a terrible food addiction and still do, I guess, but this is such a great tool because, for me, anyway, it reset things and broke the cycle I was caught up in. I couldn't go a day without eating something I shouldn't...chips or pizza or chocolate. I'd diet all day and then in the evening all restraint would go out the window. My 3 weeks of Optifast was the first time in my life i never cheated on a diet. It was the first time I didn't feel shame every day.

I'm not saying you have the same issues, just that's how it was for me.

I switched to decaf coffee, cut out soda (for the most part; once in awhile I'd forget and grab a diet coke and drink half of it before I remembered) and started eating breakfast to prepare (I used to skip it).

Good luck! The time will go by so quickly.

Thanks for your reply, you are doing so well it encourages me. I think I will be like you and continue to second guess myself all the way until surgery. I have tried so many times to succeed at weight loss and failed and now my health is at risk. I will make the changes I need to in order to succeed. This forum is such a great resource.

You'll do great! I agree, this forum is wonderful. It helps me so much.

Kathy - you have done so well - way to go!!!

A good tracker is key to keeping track of everything you eat, I use MyFitnessPal (after trying several others) and I religiously track everything, literally everything that I consume. I gave my login details to my RD and RN and it helps keep me honest.

Yes I have days that aren't great choice wise, but I tent to keep within the goals set. The faster you can come in line with their guidelines, the faster you'll go through the program - or that was the case for me anyway.

Good luck on your journey!

I heard of the app Baritastic on this site and have downloaded it. It is similar to MFP but geared to WLS patients. It even has timers for when you can drink water after a meal as well as how many times to chew. It is shocking to watch the calories add up and how many carbs I eat!

I've not heard of that one and I'm tempted to try is as those extra features are certainly a bonus, but I've got 6 months of data in MFP now, lots of recipes stored etc, that would be a real annoyance to have to start over.

I wonder if there is a way to import your data.