I've really been watching what I eat and have been pretty active and the weight is starting to SLOWLY come off, but it is coming off. My surgery date is in a month, and I just wonder, do I really have to do this? I've done this in the past, but it seemed like everytime I started to lose weight that I got pregnant again during the process and gained it all back and then some. I have 7 kids, so I think that has been the biggest toll on my body. Well I am going through a divorce now and have also had a tubal, so there are no more pregnancies in my future, so I am debating, should I go through with this?

Do you know what the hardest part is for me? Giving up diet cokes and also not being able to drink fluids when I eat. That's it. That is what is scaring me. Does that seem silly? Looking back and reading that seems silly to me. Did anyone get rolled into the surgery room wondering if they were making the right decision?

When I got the ball rolling on this process 2 months ago, I decided to start dieting with a similar eating style suggested by my surgeon. I also decided to give up diet sodas. This was a big decision because I really love soda. But after reading that rat study that said artificial sweeteners made rats fatter than those who ate sugar, I decided to give up all artificial sweeteners. I now drink Perrier and other non-flavored carbonated beverages. When the time comes, of course, I will give those up as well. I'm amazed, but it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. I also got the caffeine withdrawal headache, even though I was only having 2 caffeinated sodas in the AM (I used to switch to non-caffeinated after the AM). I used to drink 6-8 sodas a day since I get them free at work, plus a couple of bottles of water. I'm now drinking water instead. I think it'll be hard to not drink with meals, but my mom doesn't drink with meals, and she seems fine with it. I assume we'll get used to it. That, and eating teeny, teeny pea-sized bites.

I do think part of the adjustment will be that I'm eating much smaller meals, and staying plenty hydrated other times during the day. I'm just going to have to accept the no liquids with meals. You all are giving me plenty of encouragement to believe it's possible.

Thanks for the explanations as to why it's important too.

:thumbup:I am with you on this, I am a diet Pepsi gulper, and I drink 2-3 glasses of whatever I am having with meals, plus sip on something all the time. I am going for my consultation on June 25th. I can't wait to get in this whole process. i am 56 and I have been dealing with yoyo dieting as long as I can recall. I want to be done with that for the rest of my life. I am a compulsive eater or for comfort, but I have a severe sweet tooth also. My medical problems are under control at this point but they are very serious ones and my weight is a big issue. I am getting so much good help here and it is helping me to get hyped up. Thank you all.

With it being as hot as it is and the amount of water I drink, I may have a hard time with this! It's 91 today and humid!