Question:
Does anyone have any pre-op advice?

   — DGH082404 (posted on June 8, 2004)

June 8, 2004
I think the very best advice someone can give.....is to DO YOUR RESEARCH..Read ALL about WLS, (become an expert on the subject) Know EXACTLY what your getting yourself into- that way, your not here 4 days post op asking "I don't know what to eat"..."When can I start solids"...."why am I losing so slowly" etc etc etc (smile) a few other small tips........Don't go out and stock up on tons of stuff now, sometimes tastes change, Have everything set up for you at home, Know this is NOT a miracle- You WILL need to work to get all the weight off you want, after some time, it's VERY EASY to slip into old habbits...and VERY VERY important (wish I had followed my own advice) DON'T "TEST THE WATERS" just ASSUME your going to dump on Sugar and stay FAR away from it...Once that junk (carbs) creep back into your life, you might find out that you don't dump, and keeping away from that stuff just becomes harder..ASSUME your going to get sicker then a dog if you even TOUCH the stuff..A few things to bring to the hospital...Slippers,Chapstick, YOUR OWN PILLOW.Don't bother packing things to keep you occupied in the hospital (like books/magazines) I promise you..You won't feel like reading- Also, know that it might be a little rough at first,,and you might go through the "what have I done to myself" Phase..this is totally NORMAL..and It DOES get better :) best wishes Kim
   — WABBIT F.

June 8, 2004
Research your doctor. Go to the ends of the earth to examine his or her credentials before you agree to hire him or her. Post on your state board for feedback about your surgeon. Make sure that your surgeon has a comprehensive aftercare program and will be available to you afterhours and on weekends. Do everything in your power to get yourself in the best possible physical and emotional state before you have your surgery. Good luck to you! Jackie O.
   — Jackie O.

June 8, 2004
After surgery a lot of people go through an emotional crisis. They start wondering "what have I done to myself". I did this, even with a year and a half of research prior. After about 3 months I got over it. I'm 6 months now, and very glad I had the surgery.
   — greg17

June 9, 2004
As everyone is suggesting, do your research. I read this website several times per day, read everything I could about WLS, and then did the MOST important step that I ever did for myself. I started dealing with my emotional issues that made me an addict (an addict to food is still an addict). I firmly believe that there are many contributing factors to obesity and morbid obesity: genetics, metabolism problems, thyroid regulation problems, etc. HOWEVER, I also firmly believe that most of us (CERTAINLY me)became morbidly obese because of underlying emotional issues. The fat is just a symptom of real problems lying within. I started reading AA, OA, NA books - seriously, the "Blue Book" of AA has wonderfully insightful passages (just replace drinking with eating). Overeater's Anonymous by Bill B. (the "Red Book") often made me cry. I found that the more books I read about food addicts, addictions of all kinds, etc., the more calm that I became inside. I cannot tell you to the extent that these readings actually helped me build better coping skills. I am finding that out as I go. Addicts are all the same inside, it is just the choice of addiction that is different. 13 months post-op, I continue to read. Every few months, I will buy another addiction book (cheap on half.com)and read/digest it. I don't always agree with what is being said, but it still helps. ANYWAY, before surgery, take your measurements and write them down. Then take them again every 3 months. It is a true pleasure to look at where you were. Pictures are a good idea (one that I REFUSED to do - now I wish I had ~ well, kind of). There is no need to bring much to the hospital (robe, slippers, basic toiletries, toothbrush/paste, loose comfie clothes to go home in, chapstick, a small fan if you are prone to being hot). Hopefully your stay will be short and you will only want to veg in front of the TV anyway. Concentration after anesthesia is not easily obtained. If you only have contacts, get a pair of glasses right now! Staying hydrated in the beginning can be difficult and this makes your eyes really dry (at least mine were). Get off of caffeine and soda prior to surgery. I was a diet coke addict and a caffeine addict. I didn't want to have to deal with caffeine withdrawal during recovery so I quit a few weeks before surgery. If you are a smoker, quit a few months prior to surgery. This will help clear your lungs. Remember, this is a commitment to your health. Get a cheap kitchen timer and have it handy. I kept mine on the kitchen table to help me eat slow enough. Matter of fact, start now slowing down your rate of eating. Again, seriously, I still find it hard to eat slow. It is much harder than most people think. Get your emotional support group together now. My DH has been my biggest supporter and confidante. Get your insurance situation completely covered. I had some major complications after surgery. Thankfully, I had checked into my Aflac policy prior to surgery and I knew that I was covered by my small disability policy. Whew! Don't overstock your cupboards at home with baby food. Mistake! Do have cream of soups, applesauce, farina, cottage cheese, yogurt, bouillon, frozen fruit juice bars, jello, etc. in your house. You will be amazed at how little you will eat. Just have a few things so that you have some choices. I found that I really only wanted to eat the same things (I didn't have to worry about getting sick on something then). You will have to decide what your approach to sugar/sugar-free will be. I personally do not put sugar-free chemicals into my body. They make me violently ill and, if you do your research on aspartame, you may become ill too! Have your bills, household and laundry all clean and caught up. Concentration after surgery is difficult at best. Allow yourself at least one week of being a bit of a veg. Then, if physically able, start exercising. Hmmmmmm, I guess I could go on all day (I've almost done that already)! You cannot do enough research. You cannot read enough. You cannot prepare yourself enough. Go into it with 100% commitment to YOU. That is what this is all about. Learn to be kinder to yourself and more understanding of yourself. This will help you if/when emotional eating issues arise. Good luck on your journey. I remember fondly when I was where you are at now. Even with my rocky start, I am so glad to be where I am at today. Jodie ~ Lap RNY 05-02-03 ~ 336/169/??? 13mos+, -167 lbs
   — Jodie P.

June 9, 2004
Don't let the first 6 months fool you. During this time, you'll lose weight pretty much no matter what, and it may fool you into thinking that you don't have to follow the rules to get to goal. DON'T BE FOOLED. Stick to the program, lose as much as you can as early as you can, because the honeymoon comes to an end.
   — mom2jtx3

June 9, 2004
You've gotten great advice so far. Another tidbit: don't weigh yourself constantly. At most, once per week. Yes, it's exciting to see the scale move so quickly in the beginning, but then you see posts like "I haven't lost weight in 3 hours, how do I break this plateau?" That's another thing, plateaus are normal and natural and true plateaus last several weeks, not days. Don't panic. Follow the rules. Stop smoking now (if you are a smoker). Wean yourself off of caffeine before surgery to avoid the nasty withdrawal headaches. Caffeine is a diurectic which you don't need in the first few months of not being able to get in much water anyway. Best wishes!
   — Yolanda J.

June 9, 2004
Just a few tidbits of info...I did not initiate this myself but I am part of a group that all had surgery on the same day and we started prior to surgery and are still continuing to lean on each other for support even 15 months after surgery. I would suggest contacting as many people as possible who are having surgery the same time you are and starting a group on yahoo. I don't know what I would have done without them...I didn't think of the great idea myself but I vow to let everyone in on my little secret in order to help people. It was great...we went through pre-op tests together, those first few days post-op and even our one year anniversary celebration!! I also scrapbooked my journey with pictures of and materials such as diet changes, appt. dates, measurements, etc. on the front page and I journaled my feelings on the back page once a month through my first year after surgery. This ofcourse is only useful, if you are interested in scrapbooking, but it was very helpful writing down my emotions and taking pictures to help keep me motivated. Best of luck to you and congratulations on your surgery!! Denise RNY 280/140/at goal
   — denisel

June 9, 2004
Go and get a picture made - full length head and body shot. You know you have been hiding from cameras for years; we all did. But a year from now you will be SOOOOOO glad you had a good picture made. Then go back to the same place and get a new one made! I did this at a strip mall Motophoto, very reasonable price. You could go to WalMart or Penneys or Sears also. Good luck! hugs, Ann .... RNY 9/10/99... 260/125
   — [Deactivated Member]