To the pre-ops/newly sleeved -

Just to add a funny story to your post...

After I was wheeled to my hospital room after surgery, my family came to visit me.  I was still coming to from the anesthesia when I noticed my uncle's displeased facial expression.  I quietly gestured to my mother to come closer so I could whisper to her, " why is he upset, is something wrong that you are not telling me?"  and she laughed and told me, " He doesn't understand why you had weight loss surgery and are still fat".  He thought the doctor messed up.  True story.  It was really painful to laugh right after abdominal surgery, but I couldn't stop for quite a while.

 That's too funny!!!  I think they should start throwing in some lipo with WLS for a little instant gratification :)  I mean, it is horrible how you always come out of WLS just a little bigger and heavier... 

To Alison:
I have been a member of OH for many years. Through pre-band, post-band, wth is going on band and now pre-post sleeve. I have directed others here because of the support here not seen on other sites. But I have never seen threads so cynical as this about newbies and the pre-surgical. I believed providing information to those that have questions regarding whatever it is they are asking is the point of the site and always has been. At one point you were new as well. No matter how much research and learning me or anyone else can do there will still be questions. There will be stupid questions. But do they deserve less compassion than someone posting a "valid" thread? Kudos to those of you that have made it successfully through the journey but please dont be hasty to forget there will always be questions and posts for reassurance and support. Not all newbies are morons that ran into the OR not having any idea what was going to happen. But what you read cant fully prepare everyone for the total reality.

Some of the posts have a tone that it is a waste of your time to "repeat" yourself. Sadly there will always be people eating solid food in the first week and wondering why they feel like crap or being stunned that a milkshake wont help them loose weight. But there are also new people here that are genuinely looking for support because there is noone else around them that has any idea what they are going through. I would be one of those not a dummy thinking i would wake up thin.

Again kudos to you and all of those that have come so far but we all started in a similar place.

Wow!!! This is great!!! I am glad you posted this. I am a newbie just waiting for my date. I have had more surgeries in my 42 year life than one should have. I love everyones advice but I have noticed people asking questions that to me are reasons that they need not get the surgery until they research more. I know this will be very hard and it will be with me forever. I am a Kaiser patient and they stress to me how this is just a tool. I need to learn how to properly use this tool to make it work. If I don't learn how to use it right, then the surgery was pointless. I feel I am very ready for my journey to begin both physically and mentally. It definitely helps having the help and support of all the fellow sleevers here and in local support groups.

 Kudos to you - you are going to do well. :)