Questions

Now that I have my date but it isn't until December, what should I do.  Should I make a list of all the foods I'll have to give up after the surgery and have a ball?  Or is there something else I can do to get ready for this? Also,  can someone please explain to me how the body knows when to stop losing weight? Thanks for putting up with me. Sue

My suggestion is to go for moderation.  The receipt of a surgery day doesn't mean go hog wild, if I gain who cares I am having surgery.  I would suggest trying to get in the mode for living a new lifestyle.  If you go wild, it will be so much harder for you to be complient with your plan.  Also, the whole point of losing all the  weight  you can before surgery  is so that it makes it easier for the surgeon to do your surgery laproscopically.  The final decision is yours, I hope you make a wise one. Darlene

Hi Sue. Congrats agian on your upcoming surgery date. I did the "last meal syndrome" before my surgery so I can not tell you not to do it. But I will tell you what I have learned. Instead of thinking like I did and saying to yourself "this is the last time I can eat such and such" you really should know that is not true. You can eventually eat anything you want agian (with the exception of a lot of sugar but that is why they have sugar free items). So, you really are not giving anything up. You are just saying, see you later when I have more control. And, any weight you gain between now and your surgery is weight you are going to have to lose after surgery. So when you are close to your goal (like me) and having problems with those last 5-10 pounds you are remembering - "well if I hadn't gained those pounds before surgery I would be at goal"!  As far as preparing for surgery, you need to get stocked up on stuff that you will need after surgery. I would recommend gettign the protein sample pack from bariatriceating.com. It is a pack of several different falvors and brands of protein powders. This is somethign you can try after surgery to see what kind you will like so you can order just those kinds. But do not try them before surgery because your taste buds change after surgery and you may not like it after. Just get it ready. And "normally" people do not have problems stopping weight loss. Your body knows when it is getting to the size for your. The only people who I have heard that were unhappy with losing too much are people who had 100 pounds or maybe even less to lose and then they lost a little too much. But  for the most part, your body evens out and gets accustomed to your new eating habits and lifestyle and it will adapt weather you are ready for it to or not. You will do fine.

Congrats on getting a surgery date!! I'm proud of you for turning to us for support - we are here to support and encourage each other! When I started on this journey, I knew that for me, it would make things harder and I would feel more "deprived" if I just went on as normal (or binged on what I'd never have again) and then, the day after surgery, suddenly implemented a whole new lifestyle. A few things I implemented right away were:      1) Wean yourself off of carbonated beverages between now and then. You won't be able to drink           these at all afterward, so go ahead and get used to life w/o them now.     2) Up your water intake to at least 64oz/day. (Drinking all this water will also help w/ # 1!)     3) Start now upping your protein to as much as you can - 80 grams/day would be great!     4) Start an exercise routine - even if it's just walking. And challenge yourself a little more at least           weekly.     5) Replace sugar w/ Splenda. Decaf tea w/ Splenda is just as good as "sweet tea"!  All of these things will help you mentally and emotionally after surgery, because you will have already dealt with cutting them out or bringing them into your new lifestyle. You will also no doubt lose some weight between now and surgery, which will put you in better condition for surgery and will make it easier for them to perform the procedure! Why not join us in our "Halloween Ghoul - I mean GOAL" fun... there is a post for it on the TN forum message board. Set a goal for yourself of what you'd like to lose by halloween - and believe me, if you cut out cokes, other sugar, up your water and protein, and start walking/exercising, you WILL lose some! Even if it's just 2 pounds, or 3-5 pounds, it's only 10 days away! You will be so much more motivated and excited! Join us, won't you? Good luck as you prepare for and begin your journey! We'll all scoot over and make room for you on the loser's bench!        ~ Tara