What Habits did you changed before Surgery?

[NDAO2015 0]

Having my surgery in 3 months and don't know what I should start changing.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I was sleeved on April 20 with a very long time to prep before surgery. I weaned myself off of caffeine and pop, increased my Water consumption, focused on Protein, exercised 60 min a day, and practiced eating slower/chewing more.

Weaning myself off of pop was the big one. Once I realized I could make that one change, the thought of the other changes I would have to make in my lifestyle seemed much more manageable.

[SkinnyDown 409]

I changed a few things. On my own, I quit smoking after 30 years. I've been smoke free for over a year now, in anticipation for this surgery and future knee surgeries. I knew they wouldn't do either if I kept smoking.

I have recorded everything I have eaten for the past 8 months. (people who do are more successful with wls, so I am told)

I have given up all caffeine.

I have given up soda.

I stopped drinking before during and after meals (as instructed).

I take in 64+ oz Water daily, (not sure how I am going to do that with a tiny stomach! lol)

I stopped buying junk, and started opting for quality over quantity.

I have seen a therapist twice monthly, (my idea) to work on issues I have with food.

I started eating Breakfast. I do the same Protein shake daily, that I will have to do 5 times a day for my liquid diet. I love it. (hope I still love it after 10 days of it)

None of it was easy. I still have an occasional diet coke, but I do know after surgery it's off limits for good.

Most of the foods that I have said..."oh, I need to do this one last time" have been huge disappointments. I thought they would be so great, but I'm really at this point so tired of food. I think that means I'm in a good place in my head to have this surgery.

Great question, thanks for asking it, NDAO.

Edited May 4, 2015 by carolm1965

[Djmohr 6,965]

I was already smoke, soda and caffeine free before surgery so my goals were related to my eating behaviors.

- I stopped eating every meal in front of the tv so I could pay attention to my meals and my body telling me I was full

- I started focusing on chewing my food like crazy

- I started working on no liquid 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after each meal (this was very hard prior to surgery) - now, no problem

- I worked on reducing my sugar intake

- I worked on increasing my activity level by walking as much as I could

All of these things along with, no smoking, no carbonated beverages and no caffeine are very important to the success of WLS.

[NDAO2015 0]

Thank You, everyone for your suggestions. I was banded in 2008, and lost 90 lbs. I was very successful for 2 year. In August of 09 I lost my only brother and of course my grief was thru food. I was un banded in Nov of 2012. Now After almost 3 years I don't know where to start.

Edited May 5, 2015 by NDAO2015

[dolphin_girl 23]

Hi, I'm so sorry about your brother, I know how difficult that is.

This journey is not easy.

I started with forgiving myself first.

I've always blamed myself.

I have tried so hard but finally I decided to take my doctors advice and have a bypass. I'm on day 2 of my pre-op, I do not doubt my decision, I know that I need this tool to have a better life or I will not live a healthy life.

If you need someone to talk to, please pm me.

You can do this.

Good luck.

[dolphin_girl 23]

Ok was replying to a different post not sure what happened.

Can't find it now.

Sorry.

[beachgal2935 596]

I gave up diet soda, fried foods, potato chips, caffeine, chewing gum and drinking out of straws. It wasn't easy but boy has it made life after RNY so much easier. I don't miss any of it. OK that was a lie ... I miss my chewing gum - LOL!

[Cupcake 801]

I gave up pop and started exercising three times per week and and stop consuming bread, Pasta, rice and cut y sugar intake. Just making these changes were well worth it and I am so happy that I did, I also gave up all friend food and now grill or bake everything. Good luck on your pending surgery. And congrats on your choice on being healthy.

[twpclerk 4]

After my group meeting to get started with the weight loss program, I quit drinking pop and I started eating like I was supposed to after surgery (paying attention to Protein, sugar and fat content). I went to 1 cup of food every 3 hours and ended up losing 51lbs before my surgery!!