I didn't have to change my eating or lose weight before my surgery (except for my 3 week liquid diet, which was hell!), so I didn't do anything different at all.

Looking back I think I would have started recording my food on a site like myfitnesspal.com. Even if I didn't change to eat healthier, at least I would know how many calories and carbs I was eating each day. I also thought that I didn't really eat that much. But clearly I didn't get to 305lbs by not over-eating.

At least that will help you be honest with yourself which is a great first step.

Good luck :)

I do agee with you to a point. For me, it is the sweet my body craves sugar like a drug attic craves drug.

I haven't changed much except I make sure I eat 5 meals a day and I am making healtier choices. My NUT has me making small changes each month. This month is making sure I drink a meal replacement for breakfast since I'm not a huge breakfast eater. Next will be making sure I get protein...etc. She doesn't want me to feel like I'm on a "diet".

I am pre op as well, and have not been set on a diet either. However with my new upcoming lifestyle change I have decided to get a head start! I have been watching everything with myfitnesspal; its super helpful, keeps track of everything and is really easy!! Just with watching my quantity of food and sticking to exact calories/proteins etc. throughout the day I have lost 19 lbs in 4 weeks!! I figured that I have decided on a lifestyle change, why wait until after surgery to make the big change when I can help myself out now! ... might make it easier in the long run too.

I am also pre-op (surgery set for the 16th) I topped out with my weight at 434 pounds. The program we have for surgery here requires six months of nutrition and exercise counselors a psych evaluation and participation in at least 3 support group sessions. This is the second time I attempted this. The first time I did not take it very seriously thinking that the surgery was gonna solve it all. I didn't grasp that it was a TOOL and I actually gained about 10 pounds in four months. We lost our insurance coverage and could not complete the surgery. This time I got smart. I have been watching what I eat and exercising and since January I have lost 52 pounds. My advice to you is get into the good habits now. It will make your chances for success much greater.

I do admit that this week I am not tracking my calories as I am saying "goodbye" to a lot of the foods I will not be able to eat again and I am okay with it and do not feel guilt. I am ready for the losers bench but I may as well allow myself one last week of the rich foods and unhealthy things I like. Good luck to you in your journey.

Michael

I'm using more low cal or low fat things but I eat exactly like I did 8 mo ago before my first talk with my pcp. I have to make sure I keep the 18lb loss from the presurgery diet. I eat anything I want.

WLS is not another diet. Yes you will be encouraged to eat healthy food and make healthy choices. "Normal" will change. It sounds as if you have already started. You are becoming aware. Becoming aware means you have already started. Be aware of the words you use. Be aware of what you eat. Be aware of why you eat. Making little changes in your thinking about food. Your choices about food. This is NOT a diet. Thinking healthy and making healthy choices is what will help you succeed. One choice at a time!

If you haven't read any books about the emotional side of eating there are many out there. Here are a few. I wish you well on your journey.

Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth
When Food is Food and Love is Love.
Breaking Free from Emotional Eating. She has others too.

Excuse be Gone how to change lifelong self defeating thinking habits by Wayne Dyer

The only diet there is by Sondra Ray

Losing your pounds of pain, breaking the link between abuse, stress, and overeating by Doreen Virtue

A course in weight loss - 21 spiritual lessons Marianne Williamson
Constant Craving
What your food cravings mean and how to overcome them

I have had foot problems for years. Started wearing shoe called orthheal that has the orthotic in it. Keeps your foot properly aligned. They aren't expensive on line. You hAve to start iffy breaking them in few hours a day but they really help and Srebrenica cheaper than buying orthotics. I live in mine

I'm set to have surgery in December, and I have made some big changes with my 'bad habits' Everyday I used to drink at least a pot of coffee a day, then switch to diet coke...3-4 of those, each day...I cut back to 1-2 cups of coffee and cut the pop out 100%(that was so hard!) I have also slowly started to switch to surgar free and shrink my portion sizes, I feel the more I do now, the better it will be later, I don't want to make all the changes at once...if that makes sense. I have also started trying different protein shakes to see what I like, even though I have read on here that your taste buds change after surgery.

but to be honest...I'm hungry, all the time :( I didn't get here by not having bad habits either, if anything, this journey makes you really open your eyes :)

Start cutting out the junk food, snacking and pop or any carbonated drink. That way your body won't crave it or get headaches. Also don't have a drink with you when your eating. After surgery your not allowed to drink before or after you eat a meal

Although my insurance didn't require me to go on a diet or lose weight before hand, I decided to lose weight myself. I lost 81 lbs before my surgery.

I first gave up all potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread. Then I gave up my diet coke. I began to eat in smaller portions and really got my head in the right space for surgery.

I am now 7 months out and I have had no cravings or withdrawals from food because I went through all that way before I had my surgery.

Good luck to you

Laurie