What is the...

one thing you wished you'd have known before surgery but didn't find out about until after surgery?

How successful you can really be!!!!  After being so used to failing at every other attempt, the success can really not be imagined!!!!

I researched the dickins out of the surgery before I even went to the first intro class -- that is something I think everyone should be doing.  Then there aren't any negative "surprises" --- just WOW happy ones!!!!

Ummm, well, in the essence of trying to provide a picture of both the ups and downs of what I'm experiencing I will say this...

1.  I wish I knew about the Lovenox shots - wasn't a big deal, but was a bit surprising still
2.  I wish that I had better understood the significance of the grief process and the mental/emotional recovery from this - I really believed I was ready for it and would take it in stride.  Don't get me wrong, I'm handling it quite well I believe, but it's much more significant than I had ever imagined.  I don't suppose that I'm the only one that battles with this - I've heard a lot of people talk about it and the reality that some people gain their weight back and other people transfer addictions and still other people really struggle with continued mental health problems suggest that this is a fairly significant issue that should not be ignored or dismissed (in my opinion).
3.  I didn't expect that my life would change as quickly as it has - I'm down a little more than 60 pounds since I started the liquid diet on May 22 and already things are much better - I much more mobile and able to take care of myself.  I guess, in looking back, I always said these last 50 pounds that I had gained were the ones that pushed me out of my delusions that everything was OK, so now that they're gone I am back to a place that was OK for me in the past (not saying that I want to stay here, just saying it is a more comfortable place than being 50 pounds heavier).  I am really looking forward to what the future changes will be.
4.  In contrast to #3 - I didn't expect how much I would "want more" - I really want to wake up one morning and be down 150 , 200, or more pounds.  I *love* hearing everybody's successes at being down that far and I'm *mega* impatient about getting there.  I need to learn to appreciate the journey as much as the destination.  As I get farther away from my surgery date I am learning to appreciate the ride more, but the beginning weeks have been tough for me.

I am very happy with my band now...but...

I wish I had known how slow of a process it really is with the band.  For some reason, I thought I would lose weight right away.  You really can still eat whatever you want until you have restriction, which for me was a looong time.  I just wasnt prepared for that, and I was getting pretty discouraged.

Amy,

Good post for newbie's to read........

You know I was really well informed by everyone.....My psych Dr. really layed everything out on the table, even more so than the Doctor & nurse, I really liked him and send him updates on me since he asked me to do so for him......

But if I have to come up with something.......It would have to be how hard it is the first 2-5 weeks.......I really didn't realize how difficult it would be.....After surgery, I was on a LD for 3 weeks, then soft foods for a week, then my 5th week regular food but I could only eat 1-2 Tablespoons. It was hard sitting at the dinner table with all this food and watching everyone eat it and I sit there with 1-2 Tablespoons of it and I can barely eat it.......I decided it was just too hard and walked on my treadmill while they all ate then after I was done walking I ate by myself, It made it alot easier on me.........

Kelly

I was SHOCKED by how much fluid weight I gained from my hospitalization!  Granted, I was in for 3 nights instead of 2, thanks the the extra work Dr. Jones did, but DANG!  A week later, HOPING for an out-of-this-world loss, I was UP 19 pounds!  Granted, it all just fell off me after that, but no one bothered to mention the IV/liquid weight we take on in the hospital!  Kind of like when you have a baby or some other surgery, and they won't let you leave until you have a bm.  Why don't any of the what-to-expect-while-you're-expecting type books share THAT little nugget with ya???

I wish I would have known just how HUGE the "head" portion of this surgery would be.  I had no idea that my emotional status would fly out of control - I think it might be worse for those that suffer from depression - but the head game this whole thing plays is a MAJOR ordeal.  For anyone with "issues" before surgery and even for those that think they are normal - I STRONGLY suggest finding a therapist prior to surgery and making good use of her/him. 

Hmm... I guess just how it feels to be successful and healthy... I never had a life without food as a main centerpiece until now.

I really wish that I had a heads-up about constipation and the immense amount
of flatulance that many of us produce post-op. For a while I honestly thought
that something was wrong because of the frequent farting. But no, apparently
its normal!

Wendy

         Wendy, how true....   Can I change my answer? 

(No comments from Lucy or Alayna, thank you very much!)