Ok let me start off by saying, I do not have my surgery date. We are still in the weigh-ins stage. But I am curious... When u were in the weighing in monthly phase, did u find urself more food aware? Example, tonite when my daughter made dinner, I measured out 1cup of food and felt full. She thinks I'm losing my mind. Or did any of u start replacing like breakfast or lunch with a protein shake just to get used to doing em? I'm thinking I need to start doing a breakfast protein shake for a while and maybe then doing breakfast and lunch meal replacements. Anyone else ever done this? Or is she right... I'm just food obsessed? Help I don't wanna make mistakes if they can be prevented!

I am also still in pre-op stage and am practicing every step of the new lifestyle soon coming. I even have lost 40 pounds doing this. I eat every three hours I am eating small portions and yes I am very aware of food. I am looking at everything that goes in my mouth and measuring things too! I believe that the obsession will get less the more I learn and become confident in.

Like teacherlady during my 6 months of weigh ins and classes I made changes, weighed and measured, record everything I ate and put post op eating into practice...so no you are not crazy this is a huge lifestyle change and breaking old habits are very hard. I even started using my tiny fork and spoon 3 months pre op about, thru the whole time I was trying protein shakes and even started doing my pre op diet once a month for a week...its all good practice to help you become successful! Even as prepared as I was I still tend to eat to fast which has lead to throwing up....so really practice slowin down lol

I am pre op and started eating 6 mini meals a day and taking vitamins

I didnt mean to post that yet lol, anyway, I eat about 1200 calories a day and exercise 5-6 days a week. I just recently started incorporating a protein shake in. So I'm eating my mini meals that my post op diet consists of, taking my vitamins, exercising, and keeping track of my protein and also making sure I drink 64 oz of water a day. I've been doing this about three months and have lost 30 lbs so far. I'm looking at having surgery in march.

I started having a protein shake for breakfast pre-op. The 2 week pre-op diet was still tough but I think this change helped. Good luck with your journey.

I don't think I could add a thing to the GREAT advice others have already given. How cool is this forum and the amazing folks that make it what it is?!

At my pre op visits with my nutritionist, I would pick one thing each month to work on. The first I gave up caffeine, the second was sweets and so on. By my surgery date, I had lost 40 lbs and it no longer bothered me to not have those things. It was a great way to gradually get into the change.

I think it's wonderful you are practicing now things that will help you be successful in the future post op! I had lost 17lb before surgery by changes. Mainly it was sweets and carbs I started giving up. Also if you aren't on my fitness pal yet it's a wonderful time to start!!

Edited January 10, 201412 yr by ajustice

I second My Fitness Pal or any app that you prefer. Food logs are an indispensable tool that will help you to lose more weight, lose it faster and when the time comes, maintain your goal weight. I've been logging for over two years and would literally be lost without it.

Pre-op diet should I b worried about the calories? I have 3 protein shakes 120 cal each, 2 chicken broths low fat, 1 cup cucumbers. I feel fine not hungry at all! According to my fitness pal I should have 1200 per day. Any advice?

I think your nutritionist would have a better exact value but if you are comfortable and getting enough balance between protein, fat, and carb ratio it's probably not a harmful range. I used the range they set on my fitness pal and believe was right about there pre op as well. I however usually was never satisfied and ate more. Post op does have it's easier moments with amounts. I'm a food addict also so just had a harder time fighting that pre op.

Protein is your new best friend and it's terrific that the two of you are getting to know each other pre-op! I wouldn't worry a lot about calories at this point. You're feeling good, getting lots of protein and presumably losing weight in preparation for the surgery - well done! You're gonna love the new you!!