I wanna hear some things from all the "vets" on the board. What are some things about right before, during or after that the doctors don't tell you.
It doesn't have to be anything big, just some pointers for the newbies!!

For me it was the GAS... Not FARTING (but, get ready for that you will A LOT!!) But, when they do the surgery they pump your gut up with gas and expand you stomach so the surgeon can get his instruments inside.... I swearer for me they must have written Good Year on the side of my stomach and offered rides to children. But, the gas is still inside when your wake up and slowly it is released by your body.. For me (and I guess others) it was the most uncomfortable part of recovery and it lasted almost a month... I mean PAIN in my back my shoulders and my neck. It was the only thing that I HATED about the procedure everything else was A-O-K

Walking with the gas helps enormously.  They had me walking laps around the floor 6 times a day, starting as soon as I woke up from surgery.

Walking was the only thing that helped AT ALL..... I dont know about anyone else but right after I woke up from surgery thats all I wanted to do was walk. The more I sat the worst it got. I sweare the night after surgery I slept maybe 3 hrs the rest of the time I was standing around in my room or walking the hall outside the room.. I had  a really hard time sitting still

1.  I was told I wouldn't feel hunger, but I wasn't told I wouldn't feel full.  Measure EVERY THING!!!

2.  I was told about dumping, but not what the symptoms were. 

Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

When symptoms of dumping syndrome occur during a meal or within 15 to 30 minutes following a meal, they may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain, cramps
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Bloating, belching
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations, rapid heart rate

3.  Reactive hypoglycemia

Some people also experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), related to excessive levels of insulin delivered to the bloodstream as part of the syndrome. Hypoglycemia is more often related to late signs and symptoms. Insulin influences your tissues to take up the sugar present in your bloodstream.

When signs and symptoms develop later, they may include:

• Sweating
• Weakness, fatigue
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Shakiness
• Feelings of anxiety, nervousness
• Heart palpitations, rapid heart rate
• Fainting
• Mental confusion
• Diarrhea

Some people experience both early and late signs and symptoms. Conditions such as dizziness and heart palpitations can occur either early or late — or both. No matter when problems develop, however, they may be worse in the aftermath of a high-sugar meal, especially one that's rich in sucrose (table sugar) or fructose (fruit sugar).
 

I actually had the gas pains with my gall bladder surgery so I remember that. It was horrible.
Sharyn thank you for the symptoms there. I am in a 24 week class right now to get ready for surgery and they tell us about dumping but again they don't tell you what it's like.

Oh well then get ready to have them again.. There really not that bad... But, I still want to know how much gas they put in me. Hard to believe they could stretch this belly any further then it was to begin with. Good Luck to ya.

I'll tell ya what it feels like ~ like wanting to effing die. 

I was able to eat more than what was suggested and that scared me a little at first.  I was also able to tolerate "no-no" foods and I experimented a lot.  I made my share of mistakes like eating a bag of smart food one night - not so smart on my part.  That passed eventually.  I also learned to make myself sick and for the first 6 weeks, I did so about 8 times a week.  Now, I don't need to make myself sick because I don't eat those foods that I cannot tolerate.  I was worried about developing a disorder for a little bit but that worry seems to be unfounded.  I did find a good therapist because I do not want to undo what my surgeon has done.  The surgeon cuts and sews but I have bigger issues than that.  I think we all do.  I am focusing on body image and work relationships which I hope will address my relationship with food.  I need to learn how to live without my normal coping substance.  My doctors did not emphasize therapy but I believe it will be a big part of my recovery from "morbid" obeisity.

I am also a RABID reader of these boards.  There is a lot of good stuff here.  It took me 10 weeks post surgery to post (this is my first one) but I will do so more often.

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks for sharing... Hope we'll get to see more of you.