Question:
What is the Single most important piece to success?
What do you feel is the MOST important thing you can do to maximize this surgery. Whether it be dietary or exercize or support. I know all are important but what in your opinion was the most effective for you post-ops. — dfdwife (posted on January 25, 2002)
January 25, 2002
i can sum it all up in one sentence...follow ur doctor's orders. period! he
knows what is best for u & the procedure he performed. if u do as u r
told to do u just cant go wrong.
— sheryl titone
January 25, 2002
You took the words right out of my mouth Sheryl. No "yes
butting" your surgeon.
— faybay
January 25, 2002
I believe its the sincere desire to succeed and the drive to do whatever
needs to be done to meet your goals. And of course as the previous posters
said, follow your doctor's instructions...thats very important.
— Donna L.
January 25, 2002
1) water intake. 2) protein intake. 3) viatmin intake. 4) exercise.
That should sum it up.
— Annie H.
January 25, 2002
I just had to chime in here alittle bit. I saw the answers which said
"no butting" your doctor. Yes, while it's true that he/she
should know best what is needed, I havn't always found that to be true.
Only YOU know what your body is telling you and if he says something that
doesn't seem to jive with what youare feeling, you MUST ask the question
and "but" him. DO NOT take his word for gospel if there is
something that you just know is not making sense or making you feel bad.
Questions, questions, and then more questions. That is my philosophy
because, while most surgeons are great at the surgery end, they are not,
sometimes, the most educated on the nutritional end of things. This is
just my opinion and you can take it or leave it but, I know that alot if
not most of my nutritional info came right from this site. Many of my
personal problems were answered right here too with the doctor just hemming
and hawing and not giving me a definative answer on some things. They DO
NOT know all although they know alot. My doctor told me the other day that
I was the only patient out of 600 patients who have such a bad anemia
problem after surgery. Within 2 days I found 3 others who had their
surgery done by him who are going through the same thing. I am not saying
he is lying because they may not be following up with him but, what I am
saying, is that doctors are not God and only YOU know what your body is
telling you. I cannot stress enough the importance of asking questions and
questioning everything you are told to do as to why. It will only make
this more of a success for you if you know why you are doing things. Good
luck.
— Barbara H.
January 25, 2002
I promised myself one thing before surgery, IF I were lucky enough to
survive I would keep a POSITIVE attitude. Try not to ponder the bad stuff,
just enjoy the good. I believe this helped my recovery a LOT!
— bob-haller
January 25, 2002
I would have to agree with Bob and Barbara. Very good answers. Don't rely
specifically on your surgeon for everything. Some recommend milk, some say
no. You have to do what you feel is right for YOU. There are many other
topics that I see where they all do differently. I had to eat soft solids
before they would release me, others are on liquids for 4-6 weeks. They
all have different advice, some may be for a reason, but always follow your
GUT. And having a positive attitude is the way to go. I am surprised of
all of those that are so down after having surgery, I was jumping for joy,
well not literally jumping. I have been on cloud 9 since having the
surgery, even having to deal with 2 strictures and throwing up blood at one
point (not common, read profile). I would go through that again. I am so
thankful for this miraculous tool that I have been given. It is the answer
to a prayer that I have been praying for since I was a kid. KNOW that you
WILL hit plateaus. Its totally normal. Expect it to happen, then when it
does, you won't get in this big funk about it. Many freak out when it
happens. ENJOY your journey. If everyday you're upset because of not
losing a pound or not enough weight, then you aren't enjoying it for what
it is. Be thankful that you have all this extra energy, that you will
eventually be smaller, feel better, be healthier. This is an awesome
journey. But it is what you make of it. And keeping a positive attitude
only results in wanting to eat the right things, drinking enough water, and
getting your exercise. When I start to mourn the loss of a specific food,
or drinking and eating at the same time, I think of how good I feel and why
I did this. Turn negative into positive. Enjoy your awesome journey!!
— Cheri M.
January 26, 2002
I have to agree with Barb about knowing your own body and
questioning the doctor. I think taking charge of your own
health and body is the first step in handling the changes
needed to succeed in this endeavor. For me, exercise is
a main ingredient. I choose to eat sweets in small amounts
as well as, being 2 years out, eating more that first preop.
I am down 140 pounds (10 from goal) and exercise keeps me
emotionally as well as physically healthy. It is my stress
reliever instead of food, and, when PMS munchies hit (and
they do:) it keeps my weight steady. Good Luck!
— M B.
January 26, 2002
Put down the ding-dongs.
— Goldilauxx B.
January 26, 2002
You need to listen to YOUR OWN body and do what you think is best. Everyone
is different. Nearly everyone on this site preaches protein, protein,
protein. Well I'm a vegetarian and don't eat meat and the protein shakes
give me cramps so I eat LOTS of carbohydrates and vegetables and I'm down
68 pounds in 13 weeks. The doctor said I was AHEAD of my weightloss
schedule! Do what's best for you and take advantage of your tool and
develope healthy eating habits. In those thirteen weeks since surgery, I
have never even wanted to try anything fried, sugary or high in calories. I
also took up weight lifting and train with a personal trainer. THIS IS A
NEW LIFE. You've been given a second chance to be the person you always
wanted to be!
— vbenedict0208
January 26, 2002
With regard to listening to your doctor. I sometimes forget that others
don't have surgeons like mine. The head surgeon had the surgery himself.
The research they have put into managing their practice is amazing. Also,
listening to myself is what go me morbidly obese in the first place. I am
sorry but I am one of those people who doesn't know whats best and have to
turn my eating over to the professionals. I see my DH second guessing the
surgeon. He also is losing a lot of weight and feels he knows what is best
for him. I just see the old patterns starting to form again. I commend
anyone who knows what is right. But, I am too good with denial to be
trusted.
Fay Bayuk
— faybay
January 26, 2002
i feel the need to explain my answer here. i did not mean for anyone to
take their doctor's word as gospel if they feel there is something 'just
not right' or they r having a problem. i was referring to the type of diet,
the time frame(s) for the specific diet etc. if someone is on a full liquid
diet they shouldnt be out eating big macs. if a particular pureed food
doesnt agree with u, dont eat it just because the dr said its part of the
diet menu. if ur dr wants u to walk 1 mile a day & that is just too
much for u, then u do what u can...but, my point is WALK cause thats what
the dr wants u to do. we have the rest of our lives to indulge ourselves
after we have recovered & healed. i dont think its such a big sacrifice
to do as ur doctor 'orders' for the first 2 or 3 months as a post op. my
interpertation of the question was that this is what the poster was
referring to.
— sheryl titone
January 27, 2002
Ditto. Water, Protien, and a good attitude.
— Cindee A.
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