Tips, advice and what I wish I new before surgery

[bouldergal]

Hello all!

I was approved today and am scheduled for surgery next Tuesday, May 12. Wow...so quick but I'm ready!

I'd love to know 3 (or 5 or 10!) things you WISHED you knew before surgery and/or any tips you may have for me that you wouldn't typically read in the pre-op literature.

I live in a VERY FIT community (Boulder Colorado) and have been pretty active but know I'll even more so! I know there will be struggles so I'm looking forward to being part of this community for support. It's been inspiring so far!

Thanks all!

[mtngrl]

Welcome!! My surgery will be late in the month and I am from Colorado too!!

[Kysunshine]

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! I wish I had known that the most painful part of recovery is actually to sleep in my bed. The most comfortable place (I found) was a recliner. Best wishes!

[sraebaer]

Tips? That this will be beyond your wildest dreams! I am sitting here in size 8 capris. Me, size 8. It's a miracle.

[bouldergal]

Awesome! We can be bariatric buddies mtngrl!

[bouldergal]

Thanks....but I have no recliner. Will have to make do on a comfy chair or sofa!

[bouldergal]

That's what I'm hoping sraebaer! I had a few friends do ru-n-y, years ago, before the sleeve was "invented". They both said they would have done the sleeve if it was available!

[mrf0418]

Actually the sleeve has been around for a long time. It was used on super morbidly obese people as the first of two gastric surgeries. Eventually they found that it worked well on it's own. As far as suggestions - personally, I had no issues sleeping in my bed. My biggest suggestion would be to know that you will have the wind out of your sail for a few weeks. It will take some time to feel 100%, it will just take a while to feel like yourself. The best suggestion I can give - do not buy a bunch of stuff for post surgery. Some people taste buds do change and what worked before doesn't work after. It is a waste of money. Do not panic that you won't be able to eat __________. It may be a few months, but in time you can eat anything you want, and you will be amazed that there are some things you just won't want to eat! Many popular questions have been addressed many times here on this forum. Just do a search and you will find tons of information. Best of luck!

[PITSTOP]

Welcome to the family!

[Wannabeskinnie]

My #1 piece of advice...read everything you can before but don't freak out ahead of time worrying about the complications. I worried that I would be sick, have pain, get a leak, wouldn't be able to eat, have no energy, etc...I am just 8'weeks out and haven't had any of those problems...I worried for nothing...I did start getting head hunger about 2 weeks out. But was on soft proteins the next week. Everyone's program is different...follow YOUR surgeon/NUTs...don't even try comparing it to others

Never compare your weight loss to others...everyone looses at their own rate..my hubby is dieting along side me and eats a few carbs and more calories but I exercise more...he is loosing faster!

Don't get rid of those small clothes...you will be wearing them again...I am 40+pounds down and will shortly be making a trip to the goodwill

[bmocareful2]

Welcome!

[Ann2]

Welcome.

Just do every day what you need to do that day -- eat protein, drink water, move more than yesterday.

Don't rush your new tummy while it's healing (first few months).

Every day drink at least 64 ounces of water / liquids.

As your capacity increases, eat colorful veggies, fruits and whole grains (in that order).

Don't eat slider foods (overly processed carbs -- sweets, breads, pastas, crackers, chips, etc.) that will just slide out of your tummy very fast leaving you hungry for more crap food like that.

OK, here's the truth: The first six months post-op are the easiest months for you to lose a lot of weight. You're heavier and, therefore, losing faster. Your tummy's capacity is much smaller (still healing) and, therefore, you're losing faster. After six months you can and will certainly still lose weight, but those factors are diminished, so your weight loss speed will slow down. So maximize your weight loss during those first six months well.

Just embrace this weight loss phase of life you're about to start. Live it, love it!

The first month post-op might be uncomfortable, even if you don't have complications (and the vast majority do not have complication). So remember: You will NOT always feel like you feel the first week or two post-op. You're just recovering from major surgery. All that will pass. I barely remember that phase.

A year and a half from now (or sooner) you'll be normal-sized, much more active, enjoying all your food, able to drink normally, able to eat normally (although not as much as you likely ate a month ago -- but by then that smaller amount will seem so normal and sensible to you).

Don't worry. Be happy.

[MamaGavu]

I think we are all different. I slept in my bed just fine

[SomeGuyJeff]

like many i am taking the before pictures and going to track the loss through pics... but i am also going to take measurements. you may not see the loss as much on the scale - but you may see that your measurements are getting smaller.

i also saw where someone suggested writing an encouraging letter to yourself. youre excited now - and there will surely come a time when you say WTF did i do?? this letter can reaffirm why youre doing this and the goals you want to reach.

best of luck

[bouldergal]

Great suggestions. So far I've only purchased chewable multivitamins and other supplements they require...and refried beans. I love them now and hope that love doesn't go away~ But based on your recommendation I'll wait to purchase anything else! Thanks again!