[PookPook]

I'm just eight weeks before my GB surgery date and am wondering what you did that helped you prepare for your new way of eating.

I've been trying to be aware of chewing my food enough so that it's the 'right' consistency before I swallow, but after a bite or two, I get distracted by dinner-table conversation and stop paying attention. I realize that post-surgery, my body will let me know when I haven't chewed enough, but trying to get into the habit now is not so easy. Also, I'm no longer drinking with meals. That one isn't so hard.

I read the "Before Surgery: TIPS" thread, and it's a great list, Lisa - thank you for posting it! My fear is that what I know intellectually won't be translated into positive change. I feel like if I could do these things on my own, then I wouldn't be in the position of needing the surgery in the first place. Ugghhh!

Does anyone have any helpful advice on how to make the transition to new eating habits easier? What kinds of things did you do to mentally/physically prep yourself in the two-month period before your surgery?

[melanie6]

I tried to learn to chew before surgery too, I was never very good at it honestly. Now, it isnt a problem. Probably because my own fear of a blockage or worse has me chewing my food until its mush. Every once in awhile I will forget and swallow something thats too big - i realize it the second it hits the back of my throat, and then im all freaked out and I take extra care with the rest of my meal. Im mostly liquid still, but I have had zucchini, onion, potatoes and squash all overcooked in my homemade soups and havnt had any issues.

The biggest thing I did was cut down on my portion sizes. i also cut out all soda, and eventually sweets. I stopped snacking at night after work (that one was difficult), and I began making smarter food choices. I didnt do it all at once either, just little changes made consistantly and it worked. My hubby had a real hard time with the breaking the emotional ties to food after surgery, but he never cut portions...he went from eating A LOT to nothing overnight and it was a rough couple of weeks around here while he worked thru that. Im 10 days out, and I havnt been emotional at all about the loss of food or the inability to eat certain things and I think its because I was preparing myself for it mentally for months pre-surgery.

[Butterfly312]

I'm training by listening to my body...when it says I'm full, then I'm full..no pushing the envelope. It's helped a great deal in my pre-op weight loss.