I am still pre-op and I didn't find out about the lunch bunch until it seemed to be over.  I do have support group on the 3rd Sat. of the month but any other Sat. I would be interested in  attending.  I live in Northeast Davidson County but would be willing to drive to any location selected.  I like the idea of a clothing exchange as well although I am so short that tops might be the only thing I can swap!

Have a great weekend.

Kat70

I had a little over 100 lbs to lose and I was also afraid of losing weight prior to being approved so instead I actually gained so I made it over 100.  Ok, so will disagree with that but what a way to go before the new start.  I loved it.  I hate whatever I wanted (which I didn't do before).  I did not pre diet and just ate all of my favs prior to surgery.  No negative results here except that the 1st 20 lbs I have lost are really what I had put on over the prior 6 mths.  I was lucky and insurance had no dieting requirements. 
Good luck and of course any dieting is good.

The pre-op diet might be harder this time because you think they might cancel surgery again.

I only had to do it once and sucked.   I may have even chewed up food and spit it out.  I am not admitting to that and I am certainly NOT suggesting it.

Post op at first its easy.  You can't eat a lot and (if you are half-sane) you should be terrified of damaging your new pouch.  It doesn't stay easy for long though.  But hopefully by then the results you will be seeing and the new habits you have learned will take effect.

Good luck, hope they get to gut you this time!

Talisha, I wish I could tell you that it gets easier.  Unfortunately, it gets harder.  Or at least that is what I am experiencing and seeing in other "normal" post ops.  Oh in the early days, we believe we will never touch that "bad food" again!  Or, that we will never be able to eat half a cup full of food.  Or, that we will never push the limits so we'll never dump.  Fallacy.  Just mythical.  Maybe its fantasy.  I am not sure the right term...  but if people are honest with you, and themselves...  the farther out we get and the more time the weight has been gone, temptation lures around each corner.  

I've gained 10 lbs in the past 2 months and my pants are so tight that I had to go up a size.  I knew what to do, I just kept putting it off til "tomorrow".  2 months later, I finally did something about it.  I got back to the basics....  but I decided that I would not diet.  Instead, I was going to take it meal by meal...  and at each present meal, I was going to make the best choice I possibly could given the place and situation.  So far I've lost 3 lbs, but more than just weight...  It makes me feel as if I am in control again. 

Feeling out of control brings feelings of failure, guilt, remorse, condemnation, "why did I do this?  Why can't I stop?"  But when you start the first step of standing up (you asked how we got back on the horse) out of our current situation/predicament, that is when we gain our balance and footing.  Then we feel strong and powerful enough to beat it.

Let the feelings of guilt go, they are not worth it.  And, let others take your hand to help you up. 

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!  I am so excited.  I went grocery shoping and decided to take another look at Slim Fast.  (I lived on Slim Fast Low Carb and was doing great then they got recalled)....Low and Behold they are back again!!! YIPPEEE.....They have a new box/look and they look just like the regular slim fast, but there is a small spot in blue that says Low Carb....They have 20 g. of protein in 1 can and only 180 calories!!  They were almost $8.00 for 4 cans..but if you consider that a meal it is a good deal.....

So I just wanted to throw that option out to you as well.  I also used to drink Atkins shakes but stopped buying them because everytime I bought some they would pour out chunky and I would get a gag reflex from the look of it!! Yuck!!

Okay..off to enjoy my shake....time to get strict again!!