I'd love to hear from post-ops what you'd do different if you knew then what you know now!!!

Okay all of you lovely post-ops!  Help me out here.  I'm sitting here dreaming of Wednesday not having a CLUE what to expect (okay well sorta kinda I do).  I have this fresh start in front of me and a million different directions I could take it. So tell me, if you could go back and start *all* over but you get to take your knowledge of the DS with you, what would you do differently the second go around??  If your answer is that you wouldn't do anything differently, what do you think the most important thing is that lead you to DS success?  I want to hear from anyone willing to talk about this.  I'm not one to go re-creating the wheel if I don't have to, so what's your best advice as I go into this new phase of my life?  I'm taking any and all advice very seriously!  I adore everyone on this board so much and really value your opinions!   I'm sitting here bored to death because hubby is working late, the kids are in bed, and I've watched every single last episode of Big Medicine!!!  I will be printing up your reponses and taking them to the hospital with me so that I can get a great start on my new life! Thanks y'all!   Hugs,

You can't live with regret...but if I had anything to do over again...I would have started to exercise earlier then 3 months out.  and added dry vit D from the beginning instead of waiting till my 3 month labs showed I was a bit low.  Other then that, I followed the high fat, lower carb, high protein diet that most of the people here do ..and it worked for me... Scott

And might I add that you have SERIOUSLY rocked your DS???  I'm always impressed when I look at your sig line at how far you've come!  I always love your posts too, you are so chock full of information!  How much dry D do you take each day??  Thanks so much! Hugs,

I take 5000 IUs of Dry Vit. D a day 5 days a week, plus 50,000 IUs of dry D 2 times a week.  My PHT and calcium levels are normal...but my D was a bit low on this last set of labs....I had labs done at 3 months and my D was at 13...normal is in the 30s.    So if I were a newbie, I'd start with 5000 IUs of dry D a day....it seems to be one of the biggest DS issues post op.  Many  newbies gets a low D score on their first blood work....I personally think most of us had low D preop but no one tests for it.   The FDA  in their new guidelines (from what I hear) is recommending that amercians (not just post op DSers) who live in the north take at least 1000 IUs of vit. D a day.  Just remember recovery is kind of stinky, but it passes quickly.  I remember crying "will I ever be able to take a normal sip of water again, or take a bite of food again"...because the first week or two those things are very difficult....but yes I was able to eat normally again, and drink normally again (I say that as I sling back a 2nd diet coke).  Scott

I would like to see a before and after pic of you Scottie. Can you post on your profile for us to gush over the new improved you?

When they come to get you to walk three hours after surgery, hop out of that bed!  Walk, walk, walk!   The sooner you do as they ask, the sooner you go home, the sooner you heal. Drink, drink, drink...  I sucked on ice cubes all day long. Above all, keep a positive attitude!  I believe that was my best defense against all obstacles.   Hugs and best wishes from my world to yours! Mary  Edit:  I don't regret anything! 

Thanks Mary!  Your smiling avatar always brightens my screen.   You are just shrinking away!  (I know this avatar isn't that new, but I've been meaning to tell you what a difference I see in you!) Hugs,

Above all, keep a positive attitude!  Oh, Mary. Very wise Mary. I don't think people realize just how much attitude can affect things. I have seen it many, many times.  Sometimes it is hard to do, but a positive attitude can get us across many rugged miles.  It sort of goes with expecting the best or expecting the worst. It is a choice.  Jeanie

I would not change a thing.  Oh sure I certainly did not want to have the problems I had and I would like to think I might could have tried harder, but that is hindsight and serves no purpose.  Oh, I would have taken pictures and my measurements.  I had avoided any pictures for years and the night before surgery Linda my angel and I talked about needing to take some pictures -- but somehow it just got away from us and we did not do it. You are going to do fine.  You will find your own way through the immediate post-op stage and soon you will be on to living the DS good life.  As much as we all have in common this is one time when I really think it is true that this is an individual journey.  You have wonderful support and a great attitude.  You have to look for the best and not panic at every turn.  Have faith in the procedure and faith in your surgeon.  I think the people who do the best are the people that have a deep seeded belief that the DS will not fail them.  I have been on this board for a long time and some people seem to panic at every little thing.  That is not to say that you should be cavilier about your health and how you are feeling -- but those that believe in the DS seem to have an easier time of it.  I know that in spite of my problems I never for a moment thought I should have had a different procedure or a different surgeon or wondered is my CC short enough or is my stomach too big or any of that sort of thing.   Good luck Lori.  Remember you will be taking the prayers and best wishes of all of us  with you into the surgical suite. Red

Thanks Red!  I really *do* believe in the DS.  From everything I've read, to everything I've seen, I know I've chosen the right surgery for me!  I will definitely take your advice about not panicking (sp?) because I tend to do that sometimes.  I have every reason to believe that this is going to go well, and I know it will.  The days until my DS are just d*r*a*g*g*i*n*g by and I just wanna get on with it.  I guess this is what happens when you get approved for your surgery and still have to wait 4 full months!  Too much free time to think has never been a good thing for me! Thanks for your support, it means so much! Hugs,