I gave up soda long ago... I went from Soda to Crystal Light... from Crystal Light to water. I don't miss soda at all. Why? Because now it tastes like chemicals. 

Think about it... You say that half of your calories is coming from soda.... You're drinking 600 calories worth of SUGAR a day. SSSSSSSSSSSSUGAR! No wonder your body isn't giving up the ghost. Sugar is an instant gratification thing for a body. The low carb way of thinking is this--your body will run off of sugar first, carbs second, fat third. If you cut out the sugar and the carbs, and eat high healthy fats, moderate protein, low carb... you lose weight. 

Your doctor may be saying "Calories in VS Calories out" but that does not take into consideration what long term healthy eating means. Do you realize that sodas leeches your bone density?

You aren't just eating for instant results. You are eating for your old age. You need to start taking care of yourself not just for next month or next year, but realize what you do now will affect you when you are in your 60's, 70's, 80's...

Any gains as well as not losing is frustrating for sure! Try to think of this time as a way to prepare for how your eating habits will be after your  surgery. We can't rely 100% on our 'tool'. It does not stop cravings of bad foods/snacks. If we don't start to find new ways to deal with things like that any success we have from WLS will be short lived. Another poster on here had mentioned to me that when she had to cut carbs out of her diet to lose weight she did just that. Only was concerned with cutting carbs, not with how much other foods she was eating until she got the cravings for carbs to stop. And TRUST me, once you get carbs (in my and some others opinion) and sugars out of your system, you WILL lose cravings for them :) It for me takes a good week or two though and it is a VERY hard week or two!! You're right though, every change for the better you are making now makes your body healthier! Fingers crossed you get your approval soon and keep posting for support. Support is vital. Nice to know this is a place we can come to where everyone here has dealt with the same issues without judging. Best of luck to us all.

Thank you Hala B! You're 7 years out so I really appreciate your advice. I know not drinking water with my meals will be a HUGE change for me, but I hadn't even thought of asking for it not to be brought to me at a table! Thank you! Excellent advice! You probably saved me on that one! As for the mindless eating, I didn't think I ever did that....but there I just did. I guess it's better to realize that before surgery right? 

I called my nurse and she said not to worry as long as I followed the 2-day clear diet beforehand. I still put myself on the clear diet one day early to be safe. 

Thanks again! I'm not telling anyone (except for my husband and kids) of my decision, so it's nice to be able to ask questions and read others' stories who are going through similar. 

I feel pretty dumb here and its a stupid question but I apparently need help. I'm still waiting on approval to get a Sleeve so I don't currently have a WLS. I had a Lap band that was removed.  I've been on a medically supervised diet for over 3 months and loosing an average of 2 lbs a month... 1 lb one month 6 lbs one month and 1 lb one month. Dr says its calories in vs calories out to follow my fitness pal app. it says due to weight and lack of activity to have 2200 calories a day. i dont et close to that ever. My average is 1200 calories... i'll be extremely honest probably half of that is pop and im working on getting rid of pop but im wondering if maybe  i'm not loosing because im not eating enough? enough healthy food that is to make my body not store everything? I don't know im so frustrated

if I start eating protein bars - i start gaining weight....so I give up. 

I still make  have 1-02 when traveling or in a pinch... 

try quest bars, or  Power crunch....

most good tasting protein bars like glorified candy bars... maybe they are bit better .. but not much...IMO