Hi. I was going to have the surgery but decided not to. I wanted to try on my own. Well now I am 20 pounds heavier. So I am going to have it now. I want this now. I want to be a healthy Mom!!!!! I am a self pay so all I have to do is lose 30 pounds and surgery is on!!!! I'm worried about losing the 30 pounds. I have never been able to lose on my own and am worried I can't lose the weight!!!!! I always get so hungry and raid the fridge.

Why do you have to lose 30 lbs before the surgery if you are self pay?

Clean out the fridge....you would be surprised if you get rid of or replace the food that is in there, it may help. I LOVE chocolate...now I have the SF fudge Popsicles and they are delish! Also start cooking now as if you had the surgery....go online and do some of the weight watcher recipes (like Emily's bites) since the surgery is just one tool and you will need to make some dietary changes. Try to replace a meal with a whey protein shake (I like the chocolate powder from GNC mixed with skim milk....these are just a few things that may help you. Also even though you are self pay, do the seminars and support groups if offered...everyone is going through the same struggles for the most part.

My surgeon says to shrink my liver.

Wow 30 lbs seems to be a lot. JuliannaJ offered some good advice. I am going to look for the sugar free fudgesicles. I find tracking my food on My Fitness Pal works well for me.

I confess myself confused over the pre-op weight loss requirements. If we were able to drop 30 pounds that easily......My surgeon wanted me to drop 12 pounds over six months. I was able to squeeze out 4. It was a struggle. Then for the last week before surgery, I was on 800 calories a day. I lost another 3. In the six days since my surgery, I have lost 10. I think if I had been told to lose 30 or no surgery and I was self pay, I would find me another surgeon.

It should not take 30 pounds to strink your liver. My Dr. wanted me to strink my liver as well. I was told two weeks before my surgery I was on no sugar, no carbs as per my Dr. these are the triggers that enlarge your liver. I did try my best, however my pre op diet was the two weeks of the Christmas Holiday, so to be honest cheating was involved. After the surgery, he never said anything about my liver, so I guess it was ok. Maybe you can get a second opinion.

I have to echo the others here. 30 pounds is a lot. My doc told me I just had to say within 5 pounds of my initial weight and that is with insurance requirements not self pay. Hmm. Good luck.