Poll~~What do you wish you had known?

Hello Everyone! I am running another informal poll. My question is: What do you wish you had known/been informed of pre-op that you have discovered is giving you trouble as a post-op? Both negative and positive responses are most welcome; and, no answer is silly, so please be honest and unafraid of 'flaming'. Thank you! ~~Sherry

Even though I would have gone through with the surgery, regardless of my question/answer...I wish that I had known that the severe insulin resistance that accompanies my PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) stood a good chance of NOT improving/resolving itself. I would have been more prepared for the ups and downs (such as slow weight loss, difficulty maintaining weight loss, etc.). ~~Sherry E.D.D. of Alexis Leigh-Ann~~11/11/05

I wish I would have known that major bone loss could happen. I still would have had surgery but would have been more pro-active with the bone health issue.

I guess I wish I had known that the weightloss could stop much earlier than all the books indicated. I thought I would have a good 18 month "window of opportunity" but instead it was only 9 months of steady loss. Now, at 19 months, my loss has pretty much stopped at least 10-15 lbs from my personal goal. The other thing I wish I had known, & with all my research, don't remember it ever being addressed, is how this messes up your matabolism. For the life of me, I cannot understand how we can take in only 1000-1200 calories & exercise daily, so burning well over 3000 calories if you combine the calories burned exercising plus what you use just existing, & still not lose weight. I have an idea this is a big part of why many people gain their weght back & cannot lose it again. Dixie

Wow...what a loaded question! There is much that I wish I would have known. I think I did know it, but it didn't sink in until after surgery. First off, the pain right after surgery. I wish I would have known that taking pills makes me sick and there are many pills that I have to take every day. I did switch to the Optisource vitamins which has helped. But the pain after surgery was much more than I thought it would be. The Roxicet tasted gross too! Second, the mental state of mind of watching people eat and knowing how good it tastes but knowing that it is forbidden. Family gatherings are much harder than they used to be! I never really understood how much society revolves around food. I get it now! Thirdly, I wish I was losing faster and not eating as much as I do at this point (3 months post op). I feel like I eat more than 1/4 cup or 1-2 ounces. I know that I can lose faster if I start working out, which I do tomorrow and will continue every lunch hour next week. But the whole eating thing screws me up sometimes. I don't feel sick after I eat...unless I know when I eat too much. I'm so scared that I'm stretching out my pouch. I wish there was a way that I could see if my pouch is bigger now. Finally, I wish I wouldn't have become lactose intolerant. There is nothing quite as refreshing as an ice cold glass of skim milk. I've tried Lactaid and it just doesn't agree with me ... YET. Angie did say that I would be able to do it again down the road. I just miss my milk. It's great protein too. I think that's it. I don't think that I would have elected NOT to do surgery as I was desparate to get my health back under control. But I do wish I would have slowed down and looked at the big picture. I wish I was losing faster. I'd love to say at my 6 month appt that I've lost 100 pounds and I'm scared I won't get there. I gotta hit the gym!!! Thanks for asking, Jen

Thanks for asking this. I'm still starting my process and it's great to read about this!!!

From a positive standpoint I wish I would have known how great I would feel after losing 110 lbs as I would have done this years ago!!!!! I feel like I'm 45 going on 25 and loving every minute of it. It's only when I look at my saggy skin that I remember where I actually came from!! But I will take a size 12 over a size 24 anyday of the week... *****ally cares if I ever wear a size 8 or 10 -- certainly not me. This surgery wasn't about how skinny I could be -- it was about how healthy I can be -- and I AM!!!! On the negative side I would also have to say our "window of opportunity." I am like Dixie and really only lost for the 1st 8 mos. And I know because of the years of yo-yoing and our surgery too our metabolism will forever be messed up. I had also hoped my diabetes would be forever cured, although since it runs in our family I know I will be forever watching my A1C #s. On on outside note - and I'm not pointing fingers so please don't anyone take this personally or flame me. I would really like to shake some of the pre-op and newer post-ops who are having problems complying with the rules. THIS IS A LIFESTYLE CHANGE . . . There is no way to live your previous lifestyle and also be thin/healthy. That's why we were where we were!!! Stop looking back and start looking forward because when that weight loss stops and you REALLY have to start working for it (exercise, exercise, exercise) you will backslide so fast your head will spin. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for asking Sherry -- how's things going with the baby??? Congrats to you. Janie

Morning Sherry & Everyone Thanks for asking. this is off the wall but it's something that gets me is going out with other's to ea****ching them load their plates down actually makes me sick! And to think I use to eat that amount if not more!! I'm not an expert at WLS & don't profess to be, but after a year of research I felt pretty informed about what was going to happen. And I've been one of the lucky ones that hasn't had many problems. Only problem I've had is with (omg yes I did it!) a baby chocolate ice cream cone. I really pay for it big time, so far the vanilla doesn't bother. I will get one on occassion, but no more chocolate! And no, am not lactose intolerant. I have to agree with the poster about our life style change. WE ARE human BUT if we go back to the old ways of life there is no way we'll lose weight. Losing weight after surgery is alot of work, it IS NOT a cure. You have to commit 150% of your life to the changes. AND I'M NOT POINTING FINGERS. It's scary how fast a pound or 2 will come back just by eating one wrong thing. It's a constant struggle. I'm within 15 lbs of goal & I'm really having a hard time getting there, I'm bouncing 3 lbs up then down. Hopefully I'll hit goal, I'm "almost" happy with my weight loss. Have a great weekend. Hugs Carolyn

Hi I wish I would have known better than to believe my surgeon. whine whine lol NUT

I am totally pleased.....I went into surgery completely informed and what I didn't know I asked questions and found out.......Of course there are a few little things.....I didn't know that it would be so painful.....I was expecting it to be a breeze....everyone said csections were a lot worse and I flew through those without a hitch not the case....I was SORE and miserable! And I was hoping I would dump .........I had to have a hysterectomy because of the PCOS and not being able to absorb birth control anymore and uncontrollable bleeding, that was unexpected! I would have liked not to get horrible diarehha while in the hospital and not being able to wipe myself and to make matters even worse I had a very hot male nurse who had to wipe my bum .....so yeah all those things were unexpected, but totally get throughable (sorry that is so not a word.....but couldn't say it right) But it was ALL worth it.......the one thing for sure that matters most that I wasn't aware of.....was all the great friendships and support I would get from here!!! Couldn't have done it, without it!!!!! Thanks everyone Jesi