Question:
Prior to surgery has anyone...

Prior to surgery has anyone planned to lose weight, but found it really really difficult because they just can't stop eating? I wanted to drop about 20 pounds before surgery and I just can't seem to do it. I just want to eat. I feel like this is my last chance to enjoy food. I am worried that I may have trouble changing my behaviors after surgery if I can't make changes now. I am attending a support group and I am on this site all the time. I am doing small things like trying to get protein first and drinking more water and no more fast food. I am also cooking more often rather than preparing convenience foods and I am eating more vegetables and fruits. Still I am eating enormous portions and I go back for more way too frequently. I feel like I am always hungry, but I know that can't be. Is it normal to have this problem before surgery? Do/Did others want to eat a lot too? Any suggestions or advice are appreciated. Thank you all for being here for me. I have always found great comfort in your support. Hugs:-)    — Sara A (posted on March 29, 2004)

March 29, 2004
Hi Sara. I planned to lose weight before surgery but I lost way more than I planned to. I got started and KNEW that this time it was going to stay off and I had no trouble at all sticking with a diet. First I went on the Atkins diet to get me off the carb addiction. I admit, I did eat a lot of protein and probably fat too during that phase but still managed to lose 17 pounds. Then once I got approved for surgery, I switched to a low fat/low carb diet because I knew that would defat my liver and lower my surgery risk. I drank at least two protein drinks per day to help stave off the hunger and help with post-op healing, I started drinking as much water as I could, I slowed way down with my eating just as I would have to do post-op, and I started getting a little more activity in each day. Not much, because my feet and back hurt but I did force myself to walk 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon. It all worked and by the day I had surgery, I had lost 40 pounds so now at 6 months out, I'm only 24 pounds away from goal. I've lost a total of 101.5 pounds and I feel super. I saw my doctor on Thursday and he was totally pleased with my progress. Just keep in mind, this WON'T be your last chance to enjoy your food. I've been surprised to find that I actually enjoy food much more now. I add lots of things for flavor and it just tastes so good. I don't think I ever really tasted food before beyond the first bite. After that first bite, it was just a mindless exercise in shoving as much as possible in my mouth as fast as possible. You can do this...........just remember that you will have less to lose after surgery, the weight you lose now will never come back, and you will be a bit healthier for your surgery. For every pound you lose, your surgery risk goes down somewhat.
   —  SCbabe B.

March 29, 2004
I had a heck of a time losing weight before surgery. My weight at my first consult was 259. My surgeon's policy is that you cannot gain any weight after your consult. Well, I gained to 270, had 3 months to get it off, and still it was down to the wire. I can honestly say that I was trying to lose, but it just was a horribly difficult task. I was eating more protein, drinking more water, and getting some regular exercise, but the weight did not want to budge. I really did not go through the "last meal syndrome" that a lot of folks talk about, but still I had extreme problems getting the weight off. In the end, I had to go "all liquid" for a few days prior to my pre-op appt, and fortunately, my weight went down to 256, so I was not canceled, but believe me, I was "sweating bullets" worrying about it. I was also worried about not being able to enjoy food again, but now that I'm almost 7 months out, I can truly say that I enjoy food in a way I never have before. I want everything I eat to be good and tasty, and I have learned to savor my food much more than I did pre-op. Back then, I always ate too fast, and sometimes didn't even taste my food - just shoveled it in. So don't worry, you will get back to enjoying food again, and probably even moreso than you do now. Good luck with your surgery. Lap RNY 9/11/03, 254/179/???
   — Carlita

March 29, 2004
I'm glad to know I'm not alone. At my consult appt. my surgeon said every pound I lose will make surgery easier. I am going through the "last supper syndrome" plus. I eat all the time lately. I keep telling myself that once I get a surgery date(I'm almost done with jumping through the hoops for my ins. co.) that I will work on losing weight, but it's tough. Hang in there. All the litle things you are doing are steps in the right direction. Thanks to you, I plan on eating my protein first and increasing my water. At least then I'll feel like I'm doing something right. Thanks for sharing. Isn't this site wonderful?
   — Shelley G.

March 29, 2004
When I was approved for WLS, I wanted to eat everything in sight because it was like my last hurrah. However, my doctor requires all his patients to go on a liquid diet 2 weeks before surgery to shrink the size of the liver. I ate like a pig before the two weeks and then strictly adhered to the liquid diet for 2 weeks. I could have anything that I could suck through a straw except high fat stuff like milkshakes (I could have sugar). I drank a lot of Jamba Juices. I lost 11 lbs in that two weeks. It would have been harder to do it on my own had I not had a doctor's directive. The liquid diet was not bad since I could have anything that wasn't high fat. The first couple of days were hard but after that not at all. After surgery I was still on a more restricted liquid diet for 4 weeks and by the end of that I was certainly ready to chew something!! I am four months post op now and find that I can eat most things that I enjoy except for junk food-and I really don't even want it. I do crave sweets and will eat an occasional sugar-free candy or ice cream. And if someone is having a yummy dessert, I will have a bite of it and then stop. I feel normal. Good luck to you!!
   — Michele P.

March 29, 2004
Hi Sara no you sure aren't alone in this one trust me! Is the 20 lbs your personal goal or is it one your surgeon wants you to aim for? My surgeon wanted me to lose 30+ lbs beforehand so I could have lap surgery. Well I was having a hell of a time it went up and down all I wanted to do was pig out. I was a big time emotional eater pre-op...long story read my profile if you want more details. I managed to lose about 15 lbs(my surgeon requires effort no gaining weight) but I still had my surgery and I still had it lap! I love my surgeon but I feel losing weight beforehand is sooo difficult, because it's too much pressure and often times we use unsafe measures to lose the weight (I just drank juice no eating for 4 days!) As a post op the weight is so much simpler to lose and I don't think it makes much of a difference if you don't lose much weight pre-op doesn't mean you won't post-op. Many may differ with me but this was just my expereince. Take care and good luck!
   — mzcath

March 30, 2004

   — SpyderS

March 30, 2004
I had many "last suppers" before surgery and put on 4 pounds between the consult and the operation. I had a good time, but it made those first 6 weeks very difficult - trying to restrict myself. But, by the time the 6 weeks were over, my cravings for junk were gone. I say you should just relax and remember that you will be able to have anything you want, eventually. I can tolerate some sugar and it's just enough to satisfy my cravings. I don't feel deprived at all. I have to force myself to eat now. Try to start walking and drinking lots of water and get in some good habits for your post-op life and don't stress too much about eating the wrong things now. They will still be there in a few weeks. Good luck!!
   — Dragonfly2B2

April 4, 2004
1st of all, you are already trying to do many things to get ready for the surgery. I really think it is great you're already doing this. I think you will be fine. I think the food tastes great and you are used to eating more, (and you STILL can), so this is why you are eating more now. It is also a known fact that a lot of us (I think most) went thru the "last supper" phase where we think we'll never be able to eat some of these foods again. I know I went thru it the last 2 wks prior to surgery. (BTW, you will be able to eat these foods again so don't despair). After surgery, you won't be hungry (big difference), and you'll have your pouch to help you have control. Also now when I go out to a buffet, it isn't even tempting since I know I will only be able to eat a little and then mostly protein. Your thoughts chg after this surgery. Now it is easier to think the mindset "eat to live and not live to eat". Don't worry, you'll do great!!!
   — bufordslipstick