What do you wish you had done differently...

It sounds like you are in great shape when it comes to preparing for food and exercise, as well as being well-informed overall in advance of your surgery!

I'd like to recommend a few things that have helped me when I was feeling down, frustrated and depressed about slow or stalled weight loss (which happens for most of us at some point in this process!).

Take a good set of "before" photos - front, back and profile views, and retake another set in the same location and type of clothing every month - I found these hugely motivating when I was stalling. I liked having a set of the above photos in my bra and undies every month, (because I could really see the progress I was making), plus a few photos of myself clothed, made up and looking good every month too. My daughter was 9 when I had my surgery and has been my official photographer ever since. You can look at my profile for most of mine.

Also take measurements - neck, bust, ribcage, waist, hips, bicep, forearm, thigh and calf. Retake these measurements every month too, and calculate inches lost.

As in a previous post - make a bunch of non-scale goals - related to health, exercise, daily living, activities you would like to enjoy, clothing, appearance, whatever - checking these off is great when weight loss stalls or slows.

As you will soon be having to get rid of clothes that are too big, pick out a top and a pair of jeans, and maybe a pair of undies to save. Compare these once in a while to your new clothing and rejoice in your progress!

This can actually be a really fun process - so go for it!