If I knew then...

I just asked a member of this board the same question and her reply was so poignant, I thought maybe it would make a great topic for others. For those who have already had their WLS: What is the one thing you know now that you wish you knew prior to surgery? or What one piece of advice was given to you before surgery that you couldn't have lived without? I'd love to get dozens of responses on this one....it could be fun... Lisa

one piece of advice was -- don't ru**** -- it's not about weight loss, it's about feeling better -- i feel better the smaller size is a bonus i get on the scale once a month one thing i wish i knew -- don't overshop for food -- we still have popsicles in the freezer from both our surgeries!! i just gave away the packets of jello!! don't buy a gazillion packages of protein -- ross hates the protein shakes and i only like the GNC brand take care roberta

Thank you Roberta....I just wi****alked to you before I hit Shop Rite on Sunday But, maybe the sugar free foods will encourage everyone else in the house to eat better Lisa

There's my once a month twin!

I am 14 months out now. Reached goal, and hovering. The one piece of advise that I cannot live without is that it is a tool, I have to remind myself of that almost daily so that I can have continued success in beating this disease. If I let myself slip a little I know I will fall. Also, I agree with not buying too much. You just don't know what you will like and not like after. Good Luck Nat

Don't compare your weight loss to others as everyone is different and results will vary. Just follow your surgeon instructions. Carla

I think that one of the biggest things that happened with me was that I got sucked into other people saying how wonderful they felt right after surgery and that they were at the gym and walking practically the day after surgery. I didn't feel that way at all. The first few weeks were really tough. I felt crappy, I didn't even feel like getting up and going to the bathroom let alone going to a gym. I could barely get a few cups of water in each day and felt like I was doing everything wrong. I read a book finally that I wish I had read before I had the surgery. It was called Weight Loss Sugery: A Lighter Look at a Heavy Subject, or something similar to that title. It was very fortright and honest and he said that you really wouldn't feel yourself for at least 12 weeks and he was pretty much on target as he was with much of the advice given in that book. I highly recommend it. I wasn't one of those people who you meet in the doctors office that sit there and say...It was the best thing I ever did. I thought those people were crazy! I do feel that way now, though. It just took a little more time than the rest, I suppose. So...I guess that is the one thing that I wish I knew before I had the surgery. As for advise that I couldn't live without. I am not sure because there have been so many things that have been helpful to me. I think having this forum for us to tell each other about what is going on has been the most helpful. It lets me know that I am not the only one who has questions or concerns and that I am not the only one going through a particular problem related to weight loss surgery. Amy

The one thing I wish I had taken the time to think about prior to surgery is how I planned to live the rest of my life without leaning so heavily on food. My birthday was about 6 weeks after my surgery, and I sat home literally in TEARS because I felt like I had ruined my life with the surgery. As an overweight person, I wasn't very active, and for all of our special occasions, we would go out to eat, get a cake, make it all about food. Without that crutch to lean on, I had to learn how to live life without everything revolving around what I put in my mouth. I don't regret for one minute having this surgery. In 9 months, I am down 135 pounds and really feel like I am making baby steps towards rebuilding my life. I feel healthy, I move better, and I am less afraid of trying things. I have a long way to go and a lot of lessons to learn, but I'm getting there. And the advice I should have taken prior to surgery - don't stock up on stuff. My tastes changed so dramatically after surgery, I hardly knew myself. I bought tons of broth and Jello, and found out after surgery that anything that came in a can tasted like tin to me, and Jello was just some nasty stuff. I'm better with canned stuff now, but I threw away a TON of Jello, and at Thanksgiving, gave away at least a case or two of various brothes.

Hi, I have to agree with everyone else here about stocking up pre-surgery! I still have 2 boxes of ice pops I can even look at anymore and bottles of applejuice and I had a ton of jello I gave away to the neighbors children, I still have containers of every flavor broth, lol so don't go crazy thinking you have to have enough on hand. As far as knowing something sooner rather then finding out after surgery, I honestly can't say that there is anything, I think I researched my surgery in such detail I knew just what I was getting into and I went in expecting the worse of all the things I read and heard from others or researched and I have been blessed so far that everything has been smooth for me and an awesome journey that I can't wait to reach my goals. Your surgeon is key on your journey and listening to what your team of doctors tells you will be very important. I think the hardest thing before surgery was putting it in my mind that alot of the things I've indulged in eatting simply must stop and I will give up foods I've loved fo so long, but you know what? I don't miss those fattening foods and I find that seeing results after surgery and knowing that I'm focused and on a mission makes me determined and I can pass that chocolate cake by smiling to myself knowing that I will be slimmer and healthier! I wish I had my surgery sooner!!!! Good Luck on your journey!!

What great advice from everyone. Thank you all. I think the problem with me is that I can over-analyze everything and I read so much, that I just run out and do (or believe) what everyone tells me. So, yes....I have way too much of the food already but as I said, hopefully it will go to good use with the others in my family. And I have to remember that each surgery and each journey is different. So well put---thanks to each *****sponded. Please if anyone else has any more to share..... Lisa