What would you do different?

 We have so many newbies :)   lately that when we welcome them I always want to say I would do this or you could do that or try this or have you tried that?  Maybe If we all posted what we our selves would do differently in the WLS process if we had the chance,  it will help some of the newbies. I my self have 2 things that I would  have changed. #1.  I would have  started my exercise program preop like my doctor told me too.  #2.  I would have learned more about my particular surgery prior to having it. I DO NOT regret having this surgery at all, As a matter of fact  I am very happy this is the surgery I picked! However It would have been less scary for me if I were more educated. Thats why I am always so happy to see preops on here because I didn't find this site until after my surgery.  Estelle

Estelle, What a great idea! One thing that I would have done for sure... I wouldn't have gone on an eating frenzy prior to surgery.  I gained 20 pounds in 3 months and had I not done that, I would have been 271 not 291 on Monday. I did start exercising at 3 weeks post surgery and have not stopped and that is my biggest recommendation to all the new surgery patients.  I exercise, exercise, exercise and I feel great. (Well I'm lying, I didn't feel great in the beginning, but it took about 2-3 weeks and now  you can't keep me from exercising)

I've been thinking and thinking and honestly can't think of anything I wish I would have done differently. I feel I've been very blessed in my journey. I'm proud of the weight I've lost and can't believe how fast it came off. I do wish I would have known about some of the higher protein foods I now love earlier on, such as - Plain Nonfat Greek Style yogurt Whole Foods Turkey Pepperoni Sticks Splenda sweetened fruit in individual cups Kay's Naturals products

Estelle, what a good idea!   I was fortunate enough to find this in October shortly after I went to the first seminar, however did not find this forum until after the surgery.   I learned alot from OH.    As for what would I have done different. 1.)  Attended more support group meetings, you learn alot from them and it is good to hear the different experiences people have.  

2.)  Exercised sooner - I should have started before surgery it truly helps.

3.)  Spent more time with the NUT to learn what foods you can have at what stage, it was like coming home with a newborn baby!   And have a better understanding of the head hunger. That is really all I can think of, the surgery has been the best thing (except having children) that I have ever done.   No regrets, I sit here now feeling like it is what I expected. Michelle...

Listen to your body and don't push yourself too hard on those very tired days.  Be willing to say "I need a rest".  Those first few months are tough.  Also, if I could do it over again I wouldn't have complications

Great post!  I totally agree with the start of exercise in some form BEFORE surgery.  I hated the idea of the 6 week pre-surgery liquid diet BUT.....if your doctor doesn't require it....do yourself a favor and do it if only for 2 weeks. Believe me when I say it helps tremendously with carb addiction and the transition to healthier eating.  Other than that, I have had a fairly easy time with no vomitting, no constipation, only 1 minor food obstruction that only lasted about 1/2 hr. and no health complications....just the glory of getting rid of sleep apnea, high blood pressure and oral insulin. To me, the 98 lbs I have lost since beginning my journey is just icing on the cake. God Bless & Good Luck to all!  Jeanine

Hey Estelle I only had my surgerey about 9 weeks ago. But if i had it to do over i would have never gotten this big in the first place, i didnt realize how big i was because i kept up with everyone else then 1 day i couldnt do anything.. But i would have educated myself more i would have absorbed every bit of info on foods and care. But i am so happy with my surgery and how everything is going right now/

I would have walked more after my surgery and maybe prevented a blood clot in my calf.  it was treated without further problems.  I would have not tested to see if I dumped.  I don't.  I would have attended more support group meetings.  I would have exercised.  I still don't.  Things I am glad I did.  I didn't buy a scale until I was three months out!  I didn't sweat the small stuff.  I didn't take things too personally.  I believed that the world wants me to succeed.  I told the negative Nellies I didn't listen to negativity about WLS.  I chose to believe that the world isn't out to get fat people.  I lived in the moment and enjoyed my journey.  I didn't freak out if the scale went up, because our weight does that.  I set mini goals.  Good luck everyone.  Loris

Thank you for all the tips.   Why is it they want you to exercise before surgery?  And did anyone attend support meetings before you had the surgery? Linda

Hi Linda, Exercise becomes as important as the food for those who are successful.  There is so much to learn afnd figure out after surgery that the more you can begin to incorporate into your life before surgery, the less stress there is afterwards.  Beginning exercise before begins to establish new habits but also aids in you losing weight before surgery, which is also important for shrinking your liver.  In order to do the surgery they have to lift your liver out of the way and the smaller the better.   I personally did attend the support groups before surgery and brought my husband.  I wanted him to really experience what we were going to be going through together.  Have a great day! -dawn