This is so frustrating. I have been working on developing the habits neccesary after my surgery which includes no water 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after a meal. I haven't been drinking 15 minutes before and during and I have been making it about 10- 15 minutes after before I have to drink something. This is a big accomplishment for me. I have also been working on chewing my food very well. I still have to not allow myself to get distracted and do better with it when I eat alone. I will work on that too. I noticed that some of my changes seem to have resulted in me gaining weight. For example, now that I am focused on being sure that I get breakfast, my metabolism is higher so I am hungrier much more often throughout the day. Also, I have noticed that when I don't drink water during a meal, I need to eat much more to get the same feeling. I don't know what to do! I am bigger than I have ever been in my life and it only seems to be getting worse when I combine these habits. Not sure how to work on this.

Hi Ivy: I have to say it's sort of a mixed blessing to try to develop the habits for post-op prior to having surgery. Here's the deal: What you feel now when you eat and drink will not feel the same post-op. I understand you're trying to develop good habits that will be in place already, but right now, your body isn't set up to feel "normal" with those habits, and I'm not sure if it can until you have the surgery.

The whole "don't drink around eating" will become MUCH easier for you when you only have a few ounces of capacity--you truly won't WANT to drink when you eat, because it hurts (mine does, anyway). You will definitely want to eat breakfast. I guess what I'm trying to say (and probably saying poorly) is don't worry. The things that you need to do post-op will come, and you'll be a success with them, even if those exact same behaviors pre-op aren't really working for you. Don't beat yourself up about stuff that you can't really do anything about yet. Your body is what it is. Once you are sleeved, you will develop the habits you need to be successful, I promise. Right now, your body is still working with all the hormones/capacity of a full stomach; that will change soon.