DragonDebbie... OMG You have got a chore ahead of you. I had a very intense responsible job for many years and because of it I became very fat, 271 lbs. It cause high blood pressure and diabetes and almost killed me. I worked lots of hours every week, didn't eat during the day and grabbed fast food on my way home, eating from the time I got home till I went to bed. I was starving. I believe you can do this with the right mind set and eating the 3 meals and two snacks a day. and are prepared. After the surgery, you can only eat a couple of bits of this and that. My breakfast is a half of grapefruit, lunch is a baked chicken strip about two inches long, I eat 2-3 bites of it with a small salad 2-3 bites, dinner a small hamburger patty maybe 1.5 ozs and a piece of single cheese slice melted snacks are 1/2 sandwich thin with peanut butter, cottage cheese and fruit about 2-3 tbls a couple of peach slices or 3-4 pieces of pineapple chunks, a very small banana, a premium protein drink. Go onto Myfitnesspal.com. It is a wonderful site that lets you track what you eat. It has your calories, fat, carbs, protein, sodium, sugar. It lists it out by each meal and snack. I have it set up for 3 meals and 3 snacks so I get my 5-6 meals in a day. I eat very simply and always have. Be very careful not to over eat, eat too fast or not chew good enough. Don't get excited and eat things before you should. I was two weeks on only protein drinks, clear liquid day before surgery and day of surgery, two weeks liquids, three weeks pureed food, three weeks soft food, then easy on regular food as you are able. I have done very well with few problems because I have followed things to the letter. It is not always easy, but worth it. I don't eat bread ( I would kill for a soft roll or crusty French bread) it balls up in your pouch causing lots of pain, that is way I like those sandwich thins. I know you worry about the carbs, I too love pasta and rice, you eat so little it might not be a problem or as I have found, I don't eat them, chicken, fish, hamburger and fruits and veggies. I CANNOT eat beef only hamburger not too well done because it gets dried out. I think you will be just fine with the desire to do it. Being prepared is the answer. I am not married with any kids, just have animals and we do fine. I have only me to worry about so it works. We have to be very selfish and that is not in a bad way. Your new job will be a bit stressful at first, but the extra money will make things easier. Since I have been doing this (had surgery Nov 10, 2015) it has been pretty easy, mind set is everything, how bad do you want it? I believe that if you are prepared, don't cut corners do what the doctors say you will be fine. You go girl and talk to me anytime. Akgirl48. I'm with you.

You are so right - gastric bypass is definitely not the "easy way out!" But, it is a way out if you choose to be committed to doing whatever it takes to get healthy.

Bravo for reading everything you can find about life after GBS. Being mentally and emotionally prepared helps us make the permanent changes necessary to get to a healthy weight and stay there. One of the biggest changes we have to make is to learn to eat for nutrition and not for entertainment, comfort, stress, etc.

I'm almost 6 years out from surgery. Yes, I avoid white foods and most carbs. For the most part, I stick to a very limited diet that I once would have been resentful about. But, before my surgery, I'd gotten to the place where I was willing to do ANYTHING to escape being super-morbidly obese (I was over 300 lbs). Nothing I can chew and swallow is worth the physical and emotional pain of moving through life carrying the extra 175 lbs. Walking hurt. Sitting hurt. Looking at myself in the mirror was depressing. Trying to find clothes was difficult. Tying my shoes left me out of breath.

At least for the first 6 months or so after surgery, you won't be able to binge after work, at least not without getting the foamies or throwing up.

Guilt is a wasted emotion. If your best friend came to you with the same concerns you have, what advice would you give her? I'm betting you would tell her to stop feeling guilty for taking time for herself and doing what it takes to be healthy. We need to learn to treat ourselves the way we would treat a beloved friend.

Yes, it is hard. But. It is worth it!! I promise.

JJ

Congratulations on getting to the "this is NOT the easy way out" point. That's a hurdle for a lot of people.

As to the new job, you have to ask yourself what you really want. If the thought of the new job makes you happy, then go for it, understanding what the trade-offs will be. If the only thing about it that pleases you is a bit more money--IMO that's not enough of a reason for all those trade-offs, but you'll need to "weigh and measure" that. (LOL).

During the meltdown, I ate no carbs. So for the first six to nine months, I wouldn't even think about them if I were you. If you take them out of the equation, it's not too hard to make mini meal plans comprised of proteins (including cheese in my case, and skim milk.)

I know I preach this a lot on here, but in my book, the most important new lifestyle habit I have acquired is keeping a daily food diary. I'm more than 5 years PO, and I've been using this food diary app for more than six years. It works for me. Little bites can accumulate, and if you don't track them, all of a sudden you aren't losing and you don't understand why. With the diary, it's right there. I know what I did. I use LoseIt. Myfitnesspal is also popular. Check the app store, there are a number of good options out there that take only minutes to use.

:)

Sounds like you're setting yourself up for success to me! Knowledge is power and you're making your changes early.
Getting started on the physical changes is a great idea, that way you'll be in your routine in time for surgery and recovery.
Start working on the head stuff now too. Get a counselor, therapist for eating disorder support group to work through the emotional issues around food. Again, having new tools to make good choices in place before the surgery will get you the jump start you need to rock this!
Oh.... not all white foods are bad: cauliflower will be your new low carb best friend! LOL