Presurgery weight loss not going well...

I have lost about 10lbs. since I got on the waiting list for surgery, but now that my surgery is one month away i keep thinking well this might be the last time I ever get to eat this...so I eat the wrong things for me. I don't believe I've gained anything, but if I should weigh in at the next appointment and be even a fraction over then my surgery is put on hold :(

I'm really trying, but wow...I have 9 days left until I must begin a protein shake diet. My Dr. ordered that I have a 3 week presurgery diet of 5 only shakes a day (either Slimfast high protein or Boost glucose control).

I have my next appointment in 10 days though and I really need to star****ching what I eat better...any suggestions? motivation???

thanks

Good luck! Just my opinion.... Let the surgery, your reasons for wanting the surgery and the way your life will be after the surgery motivate you. Old habits are HARD to break but you are about to embark on a life changing surgery that is to better you and your life. Think about that and don't let yourself be your own worst enemy. Again, good luck. I am sure 3 weeks of 5 shakes a day will be hard. I only had 10 days of 2 shakes a day and a light meal but thank god I didn't have to drink either of those. I got to drink Carnation Instant Breakfast. We are all here for you!

Motivation is simply how bad do you want the surgery?  We all go thru the same feelings pre op...at least I did and I had my last week of pre surgery meals planned out.  Turns out I got so busy doing the things that I had to do that I only got one of those meals!  I would suggest to try to surround yourself with toughts other than food or activities (house cleaning, walks, Talking on the phone, playingon the computer???).  I did not have to do the pre op liquid fast pre op so I am no help there.  If you do decide to have something that is not the best choice for you then don't beat yourself up and do a little more exercise to combat it.  We all have been there in some capacity or another.  I will be praying for you and I have faith that you can do it!

Oh my goodness do I feel your pain! I know this is so hard. And 3 weeks of shakes is rough! I know what helped me was that my doctor and people that were far out post-op told me that it wasn't the last time I would get to eat it. Eventually I would be able to eat a little bit of everything again.

But mostly I just wanted to sympathize - you'll be in my thoughts and prayers. I know you can do this! 10 pounds lost so far is great -and not an easy thing!

Best of luck to you -

Can I just say how much I miss you! !!!

Hi there,

Congrats on the 10 lb lost thus far. I know that you are going through trying times right now and the protein shake diet isn't fun. Try filling your time with activities that will help you now and in your post-op lifestyle. Walking as much, as often, as far as you can. Work on drinking healthy fluids (Crystal Light, SF kool-aid, South Beach drop-ins, water, etc). Create a list of goals you'd like to accomplish and each time you get down look at the list and even add to it as things will pop in your mind more and more. Talk with family & friends and get them on board (if possible) with doing activities with you. Read inspirational quotes and stories. Eat things like SF popsicles and soups and the like. Hope you find some help in my reply and others. We're here for you!

All best!

You've gotten some great responses so far.

I struggled with the "last meal syndrome" prior to my starting the liquid diet.  I agree with Sarah, you will be able to enjoy most foods, in smaller portions, down the road.  For me, it was red meat.  I ate alot of burgers and steaks before the pre-op diet because I had heard I wouldn't tolerate red meat well after surgery, maybe having to wait until a year post op to try it.  Luckily, I was able to add beef back into my diet maybe 4 months out (I can't remember exactly?).  And I haven't had any trouble.  But everyone is different.  We've got one board member who can't do meats much at all (to include chicken and beef), and another who can't do steak, but there are those of us who can eat all meats.  So again, you never know how your little pouch will adjust to things when you start transistioning back into solid food post-surgery and during your first year of loss.  My doctor had a really slow transistion, which took all of 3 months to try all the food types and textures again, and I really attribute taking that time to test the waters to my being able to really enjoy most foods.  I also admit I had my last fix of most sugar items.  I enjoyed my "last" piece of carrot cake, reeses penut butter cups, chocolate chip cookies and Cracker Barrels Apple Dumpling...yummo.  BUT, even those type of things you can adjust to a SF version down the road if you really want to.

I think 10lbs loss so far is great!  Did your dotor request more?  Don't forget that during your three week pre-op liquid you will lose much more.  Honestly, that is the hard part.  The first three days of that liquid diet were killer for me, once I got over the super hungry deprivation part of it, I adjusted pretty well.  I also did the 5 shake per day.  Check with your doctor on if you are allowed SF Jello and SF Popscicles?  I found out AFTER surgery that I was allowed those things - boy was I PISSED - it was my own fault though - I didn't read my instructions carefully enough.  I would have enjoyed putting something solid into my mouth, even if it was only jello.

As for motivation, YOU are your motivation.  Our nurse coordinator made a suggestion to us pre-surgery to write ourselves a long letter of all the reasons we were having surgery.  It could be a resource down the road to staying on track, keeping motivated and just a way to remember where you came from when things were going good and the loss had started.  Some of reasons that I kept myself motivated with were being healthy enough to have a baby, not being so tired from basic activities, feeling better and of course looking better.  Reminding myself of my #1 reason (a baby) really keeps me on track.  Find that one thing that you are going to SHOOT FOR THE MOON and focus on it.  :)  I wish you the best and know you will be so happy and successful.  BUG HUGS!