What would you do different?

Hi Linda,  In my opinion the exercise before the surgery would have done 2 things for me.  #1 I would have lost more weight prior to the surgery date, And accorording to my Dr. it makes it sooooooooo much more easy to do the surgery on someone who is just 10% less in weight.  #2 When I had to walk walk walk to keep my blood flowing my legs got tired and all my reg aches and pains were there. I also didn't start a reg exercise program untill I was more than 3 months out and I believe that had I started preop I would have jumped right into getting back to it.  My Dr. Suggested a pool preop I did not have the opportunity to use a pool so I didn't do anything. (smart aye?) lol  I did not go to support group meeting, I think its such a good idea to do it. I have been to some since and have met some really cool people and I now have people close to me to count. (Yeah you know who you are lol) Estelle

Hi Estelle and Dawn,  Thanks for answering.  I had a feeling that is why they wanted the exercise prior to surgery, but wanted to make sure.  I was thinking this morning that I should start walking some.  I started Weigh****chers about three weeks ago or so and have lost 12 lbs and already feel better.  Before I was having trouble just walking from one end of my house to the other without huffing and puffing and having to sit down because my back felt like it was going to bust in two.  So I guess I really better start walking some to build up.   I was thinking about going to the support group.  I need to call about it.  I didn't think of taking my hubby with me.  That's a good idea.  I want him to hear everything too and so far he has been very supportive of everything.   Thanks again,  LInda

I would have taken regular pictures and measurements!  I have not done that, except with my weight, and I wonder if it would have helped me with body-image issues if I could have seen what I looked like along my journey.   I did exercise before my surgery, and I think that was really helpful afterwards.  I had already gotten over the "fear" of going to the gym, so that was one less hurdle I had to face after surgery.   Kellie

The only thing I didn't do that my surgeon recommended was take photos and measurements from the beginning of my journey.  I was too self-conscious to have my picture taken at 500+ lbs.  The only "before" picture of me is the one the surgeon took on my first post-op visit.  Sometimes I wish I'd had the DS surgery instead of RNY, but my HMO didn't offer it.  Kix

I would have never found out that I don't DUMP...biggest mistake I have made since my  surgery....Please newbies...just assume you will dump...I was almost 2 years out before I decided to "test it out" boy now I am 25lbs heavier than my lowest weight..(was 30lbs) So I am back on track but boy was it a dumb mistake.. Lynn

This is one thing I'm afraid that I will do.  Test if I dump if I haven't figured it out by mistake.  I'm afraid that I won't dump and then blow the whole thing and fail again.   Linda

Estelle... what an awesome thread.. I know someone who is doing the Medifast now in preparation for surgery in a few weeks... This would be an awesome thread for her.. May be she'll pipe in, I sent her the link...  What would I have done differently.. HMM.. I think I have to agree with the exercise. You see, I don't love to exercise, I do love to play in my garden, be with my family, make cards and rubberstamping projects (hence the name inkerdoodles.. get it).. but I just don't love to exercise. I'm trying to do better now though and have joined a gym and do make weekly commitments to go and stick to those commitments. Don't get me wrong, I feel wonderful and exilierated when I leave, it's just the motivation getting there that's my problem.  What I'm completely excited about and I'm very happy with... This is easy.. I'm thrilled that I had the surgery. I would do it a million times over and if I had to drink the Medifast shakes for a year to have the surgery I would. I definately think that the shakes put you at a real advantage on the day of your surgery. I'm thrilled that today is the last day of taking my BP medication (I had to be weened off of it so that I didn't have any side effects) .. this was a day that I never thought I would see since I was on a double dose of it when I started the process.. I'm thrilled to be at a weight that I can't ever remember being at before and am looking forward to seeing more smaller numbers on that grey metal lumpy thing in my diningroom (you know that thing Dr. Clarke told me to only stand on once a week... but I have to test it out at least daily... yep that thing.. But it's not a scale, cause I promised I'd only weigh myself once a week... HAHAHA).. I'm thilled to be alive.. I'm thrilled to feel the best I've felt in years.. It warms my heart every time my 91 year old grandmother (who by the way has stopped praying just for me and has moved onto other more needing relatives) sees me and she tears up because she's so proud of me... and most importanly... I feel very very blessed by 3 close friendships I've made here. They say you can't judge someone till you've walked a mile in their shoes.. We're walking this journey together and the friendships will last a lifetime..

Awesome idea!!! What I did and what I wish I had done more is do more preop counseling...and taken my husband with me to a few sessions.  I saw my therapist (who specializes in addiction and has done WLS psych evals) quite a few times before surgery, but I could have used more.  Though she and others told me about the mood swings...I had NO idea they could be as wicked as mine were.  I wish my dh (though he was really wonderful and very supportive) would have attended some sessions with me to have himself prepared for the runaway train called his wife on hormones and postop!!!!!! I'm really okay with the type of surgery I had and would do it all again in a NY minute. 

Thanks for all the info.  This does help - I want to succeed & will do whatever it takes.  I have taken pictures, I have started exercising (I hate it)..walked a whole 60 min the other night, found the butt muscles I forgot I had! I have been following what the NUT has told me though I must admit I have cheated 3 times in 2 months, but got back on track. The problem I have is with head hunger. How do you get over that?  I know, keep busy...but seriously, some nights I can totally convince myself that I need food!!!!!  You are all the very best, thanks to all of you, I am doing the right things.  I want to be one of you!!!