What steps did you take towards change, when waiting for insurance approval? Did anyone NOT do any changes until the pre-op liquid fast? How do you manage refocusing your thoughts when a craving jumps in your head....

I did almost a year of intensive therapy on my own, to deal with my food addiction issues. I continue to work on it in therapy, now that I am post-op.

I don't think I could have done this without some serious head work first. Or I'd be hungry and craving foods, "treats" and junk, right now, and I'm not. I'm not even hungry, and still can't get all my Protein in daily. Barely getting in my fluids. Food really means very little to me anymore. I think that's healthy. Food is for nourishment, not for comfort. I love feeling like this.

Everyone has to find their own way, I haven't had real hunger since surgery so I haven't had to deal with cravings or anything like that. I don't know if I am normal or not. I am thankful for this feeling. But I have a backup plan, a list of things to do besides eating, and am adding to that list all the time, just in case at some point it is needed. You have to have distractions. Identify other ways to comfort yourself, other than eating food. Like polishing your nails, or watching a movie, or taking a walk, drinking a hot cup of tea, or painting....something. Anything other than eating.

Great question! Looking forward to hearing what others do.

I had a nine month wait for approval. During that time I focused on one behavior at a time. I did not drink, smoke, drink caffeine or soda at the time.

For me I focused on choosing more balanced meals, not eating in front of the TV, chewing my food a Gazzilion times, not drinking 30 minutes before or after a meal, eating my food more slowly, not eating after a certain time at night, and walking like crazy.

I would choose 1 or two to focus on and do it for 13 days straight until it became a habit. Then I would continue those new behaviors and add a new one every week.

I will tell you, I still find myself eating in front of the TV sometimes but if that is the worst thing I do, then I am happy.

I feel like that time really got me ready for what was to come. It is a major lifestyle change and I feel like it really did set me up for success.

By the way, when I have a craving I usually will ask myself am I really hungry? I try some Water, if that doesn't satisfy me then I will fulfill that craving.

I try to fulfill it with good choices 99 percent of the time, then if there is something I really am craving like pizza or ice cream I will plan my whole day around fulfilling that craving.

I can pretty much eat anything I want to but I can only eat a few bites and I am full. So if I want ice cream I make sure I eat my Protein and veggies first, then guess what I still can have a few spoon full of ice cream. And I am completely satisfied.