Helpful Tips

SInce the goal of the boards is to help people, I feel it would be good to add a helpful tip that you have learned through your experience. This is to help folks deciding what to do or the ones who are getting ready for their surgery. :)

1. Learn the most you can about the choices for surgery. Read everything you can and become informed. The more you know, the better you are prepared for what will happen after. Use any information you get during your research to ask questions at your visits to AMC.

maybe we can get this as a sticky if we can get enough good feedback. :)

2. Make sure you do whatever you can to get the protein intake that is required for your type of surgery. Protein from food is the longest lasting best protein, but in the beginning thats not an option. Suppliment your intake with protein shakes and in the end you will probably be getting most , if not all, of your protein from meats and vegetable sources of protein. 

3. Chewing food slowly and completely will help minimize things getting "Stuck". Food that blocks the exit from your pouch can cause you to bring up what was put in after it became stuck. This is part of the process for everyone and does not mean things are wrong. It is always good to consult with the doctors if you are worried, but getting something "stuck" happens to most folks and it is a pain, it is part of the learning process with your new pouch.

4. This should probably be closer to top. I suggest that whatever surgery you have, you should prepare your home in advance. Things you would have to bend to get will be difficult, if not impossible to get right after surgery With my lapriscopic RNY, it was very painful to bend and it doesnt help you at all to put yourself in so much pain. Anything more than 5 pounds is out of the question for a while, so you don't chance a hernia at surgery sites. Preparing your home for your return will significantly help you manage pain and recover a little easier in my experience.

Thank you so much for posting the hints.  I am preparing for lapband surgery and anticipate an end of summer date.  I am taking your suggestions to heart. 

Do you know if there are any support groups in Plattsburgh?  It would be great to be able to talk with other weight loss surgery people.

Thanks  again.