Having trouble loosing the weight needed for insurance approval...need advice

I lost 30 lbs in 3 months pre-op by focusing on a high protein, low carb, low fat diet; restricting my daily calories to 1200-150/day (My NUT wanted me to stick to 1200, but I couldn't always do that); and exercising 3 days a week (I love to swim and swimming burns a lot of calories but doesn't put pressure on any joints).

I eliminated caffeine, alcohol, refined sugars, and simple carbs.  At first it was hard, but after about 2 weeks, I found I was feeling really great!  I had a lot more energy and the swimming certainly helped.  I also used MyFitnessPal as suggested and became almost addicted to it.  I would use it to plan what I was going to eat for the day to stay within my calorie limits.  The surprising thing (for me at least) was that even at those reduced calories, I was really never hungry.   The protein definitely filled me up and stayed with me longer than what I was eating before.  Some of my favorites weight loss helpers were protein shakes / meal replacements (I like the Premier Protein you can get at Costco as well as the IdealShake which is a little low on the protein from what my NUT would like to see, but I made it with light vanilla soy milk which got it up to about 18 grams/serving ... and it tastes a lot better than most of the other protein shakes, which is important if you're going to have to drink a lot of them.  I found that they were actually really yummy when I mixed them with fresh fruit in the morning.  Then I'd follow up with a big glass of water and I'd be full until lunch time).  I also really liked the Detour reduced sugar protein bars that you can get at Costco.  They are filling, feel like a treat, and are great to throw in your purse so you always have something healthy with you if you get stuck out when it's time to eat.  

Losing the weight that way was actually easier than I expected.  But I think for me the thing that worked was that I had the right mental mindset.  I was committed to having the surgery, knew I had to make life long changes to how I eat, and wanted to get as healthy as I could before my surgery to maximize healing times and minimize complications.  

Good luck!

One more thing to add.  At my first appointment my NUT gave me the no drinking when eating rule.  It varies somewhat but my surgeon first said no drinking 30 minutes before/60 minutes after - later changed to 30/30.  It made me stop and think before eating - was I thirsty or hungry?  If I thought I was hungry did the thought of having to wait 60 minutes before having something to drink made me focus on what was going on and making a good decision.  Cutting out snacking, all soda and limiting caffeine also helped.  Lost 60 pounds before surgery.  Also My fitness pal is an easy way to keep track of everything you eat and your exercise.  Its easy to forget about a bite here/a bite there.  Good luck and we'll see you on the loser's bench soon.

I got down to needing to loose the last 10 pounds before I could schedule surgey. I did the liquid diet that you will be on 2 weeks prior to surgery. 2 high protein shakes a day and lots of water. The weight will come off.