I just had surgery 2 weeks ago. From my first day in the program to surgery was 2 yrs. During that time I did 12 classes on nutrition, exercise, learning the difference between heart, mind, and stomach hunger (that was a big one for me). Every time I go to eat anything I ask myself if I am actually hungry or is it emotion or stress eatting. This has been different since surgery because I don't feel hunger. Now I eat based on the clock. During my wait time I also saw a psychologist who helped with my anxiety, which helped with emotional eatting. I met with my dietician monthly and we went over my food logs making changes and learning patterns. It was a lot of work and it felt like it would never end but I am so glad I had that opportunity.
The last 6 weeks before surgery was really hard to stay on track. I was nervous and I wanted so badly to just eat, especially things I shouldn't eat after surgery. My Dr calls it the "last supper" mentality. Once your told you can't have something, you want it even more. I kept myself on track by reminding myself, the more I lose before surgery the safer the surgery is. The liquid diet prior to surgery helps to shrink the liver to make it easier for the surgeon to do the surgery. Those things seems far more important than a piece of cake or big bowl of pasta.