I don't have a surgery date yet (should get one next week), but I've been trying really hard to start all the behavioral changes now. I am good with the exercise, eating Protein first, taking my Vitamins but there are a few things I'm struggling with and need some tips.

I am having a really hard time not drinking with meals and waiting 30 minutes after to drink. It feels like torture! I always carry my Water bottle with me and am constantly drinking water and thirsty (no, I'm not diabetic). How have you all handled this?

I am also struggling to eat slowly. I am super busy in my life right now and I seem to always forget to slow down and remember afterwards and am annoyed with myself. It just seems like meals would take FOREVER and I just want to get them over and done with so I can do something else. Any tips would be appreciated!!

Thanks

I also started to change eating habits before my surgery, and one of the hardest was eating slow and chewing thoroughly. I think it was harder then because I was busy and I wasn't banded so I knew down inside I did not have to, nothing bad would happen. But now that I'm banded I know that is now not the case. I'm still only on liquids till a week from Tuesday and then I'll be on mushies, that will be the test. I know I have had to drink slower and that's not been to hard because once you do it wrong you won't do it again, at least not for me. So if I eat too fast now I know there will be a price to pay and it will only take one mistake to correct the problem.

~~~Stephanie

You are very wise to start changing eating habits now. It took years to develop the ones we had, and it will likely take a good while to change them. I am at 17 months, and still catch myself cramming in food like I am in a hot dog eating contest. I takes constant focus, and we have to work for what we want.

Best wishes to you. I found that when I chew more, I do not need to wash my food down with liquid. I do however drink right up until I start eating. Hope this helps.