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

I'd have gone to Brazil a couple of weeks early to sightsee, and I wouldn't have taken so much stuff with me. (I took an entire suitcase full of FOOD)

DS-wise? I had a pretty remarkable time of it - lost easily, travelled freakin' everywhere, helped a friend have the DS, got a great job, met a great guy, bought a motorcycle, joined a pool league, and am able to do pretty much anything I want these days.

Had a few blips in my bloodwork radar (for which I've adjustmed my supplements), but so far nothing that has manifested externally as a problem.

--BT

I wouldn't change anything--but I think that going low-carb and exercising consistently helped me make the most of my window!

Thanks for all of your input guys! I am really really ready to on Wednesday!   Hugs,

I wouldn't have thought I was so invincible after a year.  I think I can pinpoint the day I got this hernia.  I was so careful for 6 months, but then I got back to doing things myself with heavy stuff.

My main advice would be  1)  Take your acid blocker - even if you don't think you need it, take it. 2)  Don't worry about getting in your supplements for the first few weeks or so if it's too difficult, the only tablet to get down is the acid blocker! 3)  Don't forget to take your measurements and a front back and side photo before your surgery, you'll never look like that again and you'll want a record. 4)  Sleep as much as you can the first few weeks post op. Good luck 

5'7"   SW 268lbs BMI 42/ CW 132lbs BMI 20.7 / GW 140lbs
136lbs  Lost 

                            I Ymy duodenal switch
 

 

Lori, I'm pre-op but just wanted to say "good luck".  I am so glad to see you post and read all the replies!  I am just two weeks after you.... but I'll be so busy that time -- getting ready for my trip and ds this week and then our trip 7/14-7/21, my triplets bday party the day after we return (thanks to grandma), and then just three more days in which to get work and home caught up for me to be "out" for awhile again!  YIKES!  I won't have time to even ask the questions you did... so good thing I read yours! Blessings to you on Wednesday!

Lori, you are so smart to have asked this question and what pearls of wisdom we are gleaning. Thanks everyone. Jo

Lori, my dear DS twin, Thanks so much for asking this question.  I wanted to know, but didn't think to ask it.  Now I'm going to pilfer all these great answers and take them to the hospital to read every other minute, so I can remember all these gems of wisdom from those who have gone before us! I just know you're going to do great! Can't wait to sit right beside you on that loser's bench.  Move over everyone, Lori and I are coming on over! Ginger

The only thing I regret from my hospital stay and acute recovery period is that I was left in bed too long and didn't DEMAND to be gotten up sooner. I'm not sure just what happened for things to transpire that way, but I think one of the problems was that the care personnel saw "oxygen dependent patient" and assumed that I was far less mobile than I was. I wish I had made a stink about getting up on MY terms.  Otherwise, I'm pretty satisfied with how I've been able to progress and can't think of much of anything that I'd change. Oh, except for that movie popcorn I ate the other night. I had no idea how fast it would work on my problem .

knowing what I know NOW... I'd have sought out Dr Hess about 15-20 years ago and had it done THEN.... and also, I would have started weight training at about 3-4 months out, rather than waiting til ~7 months