The months before Opti

I found the transition to optifast fine but I had been on it for 12 weeks at one point so 3 weeks was nothing.

I did start logging my food on MFP prior to surgery and found that it was a good thing to get into a routine and now 14 months post op I still log every single day.

Now what is interesting is that the issues that the dietician commented on in regards to my pre op diet are the same things she commented on at my one year follow up.  I still don't eat enough veggies and so I probably should have paid attention to those comments pre surgery.

I'm pre-op, but I've been working on making changes I can live with. I cut out soda pop a while ago, except for an occasional club soda with a slice of lime. I've basically switched over to a low-glycemic style of food, which has been great since it doesn't feel like a sacrifice, unlike many other diets. I eat regularly, small meals 4-5 times a day.  I've also learnt to allow myself an *occasional* treat so that I don't end up on a binge. Mostly, it's been keeping the bad stuff out of the house. Ice cream was always my downfall, though, and it took some work with my naturopath to fix that. I was quite suspicious of using the Nambudripad Allergy Elimination techniques (http://www.naet.com/) that he suggested, since it was way too new-agey for my tastes, but you can't argue with success. I went from regularly bingeing on litres of ice cream (often several times a week, and sometimes several times a day) to no longer craving it and rarely eating it. Other foods are still triggers, but we're working on it :D With regular exercise, I've lost close to 50 pounds.

Kudos to those of you who have quit or cut back on caffeine and pop!  You're well on your way!!!  

Keeping a food journal is a GREAT step forward too!  Make sure you measure what you eat and drink, what time it is that you're eating and how you feel at the time you eat ie. kinda hungry, starving, angry, happy, etc.!   Get used to sipping your drinks and don't use straws - you wont be able to gulp fluids down after surgery.  When eating, eat with no distractions like no tv, computer, multitasking etc.  Eat at your dinner table and take your time to really chew your food (20-30 times) - after surgery your stomach will be the size of an egg and the opening to your stomach will be the size of a dime and you really don't want to get anything stuck in that opening! 

When you have your orientation, you will be better informed with what is expected of you while you wait (and prepare) for your surgery date...

Im a meat n potatoes gal, not into sugary treats (lucky for me). My transition was a poor one, I craved and cheated. Here is some advise that I am sure you have heard before.  DONT BRING IT INTO THE HOUSE. You will save yourself grief and emotional stress if you dont cave into your desires. All the best to you on your journey.

for my situation......i had a dietian appointment last week and she told me to just continue what i was doing and that dieting before the surgery was not suggested cause it has been proven that it makes no difference..... she did say however.....if someone has a very bad addiction to pop or fast food that yes she would suggest to try and make changes......i know from a friend who just had surgery......she says that the opti will fill u and that it is not that bad!!! lol

As I sit here reading your posts and really great suggestions to prepare us for the Opti-fast stage.  I have been eating a bowl of ice cream which I absolutely craved and couldn't talk myself out of stopping right now.  I also realize the Opti time for me will be late August and I need to find a method for myself to get out of this madness.  I find myself constantly thinking about the surgery positives and risks, I'm scared but something in me just wants to push on and do this.  I feel I have to conquer these cravings.

I do like the idea of starting with one thing at a time like giving up the cookies from Tims that I have with my coffee.  I can also easily have a protein drink instead.  So, after reading all you suggestions which I love, I will attempt to stop my morning cookies, then the other is giving up ice cream at night all the time.  I will try to find a replacement for this like low fat yogurt.

Now that I'm saying this out loud to you all, I don't want to disappoint myself or all of you, so, I'm  going to do it.  This will give me about 1 month to get sorted out.

Thanks you ladies, your posts really motivated me and it's still amazing to me that I'm not the only one who has these challenges and feelings about food.  We are all in this together and I'm so thankful to have you all for support.

Talk to you again soon, may we all have great success and long term.

Luv Cathy xo

I hear ya Cathy.

If I can say the biggest thing I cherish about finding OH is that it's helped me believe I am more " normal " then I believed.

so many people have the same battles that I beat myself up over years over years.

I think I can do this, I'm grateful to have this site for support.

I did not change my eating habits before surgery.  I won't lie....I had a lot of last suppers and I don't regret it for a minute!

My eating has gotten completely out of hand and I know it but continue to do it.  I am worried that the nurse will weigh me (Aug 13) and see that I have gained since I started this process in March.  I am afraid she will stop the process for me but I continue to eat.

I have given up caffeine switching to decaf and maybe that is why I have gone to town on the eating....I am worried but I guess not enough to stop myself from overeating and making really bad decisions on what I eat. 

I see the nurse on Wednesday. I was also on vacation for 10 days visiting family and eating everything and anything. Been attempting to get back on track. But the sugar demon aas been preventing the limiting of sugar.

I get what you are saying... Why do we continue to eat when we know its the problem in the first place. I think I need to find a therapist to help me..