Question:
What did you learn post op that would be beneficial to soon to be post ops?

I am interested in knowing what everyone has learned since they have had their surgery that would help others post op. Did you use a special cream to help scars heal or to firm up your skin? What one food or drink was your favorite through the first few weeks? Was there a book that helped you deal with all of these changes? Did you find out anything NOT to do? How closely did you stick to your Drs prescribed diet? Those are just some of the things I could think of. If you know of anything else that would help others, Please post it here!!! Thanks!! :o)    — imano1momy (posted on December 28, 2000)

December 27, 2000
I would remind myself that I had major surgery and would have pampered myself even more. I don't mean laying around feeling sorry for myself , but I would have expected less of myself and not been so quick to assume the roll of housewife and employee. Noone pushes me more than me. On the flip side as soon as I could I made a standing appointment to get my hair cut every 5 weeks with a great cutter /stylist , I tended to neglect myself before surgery, she keeps me up to date and gave me styles that were a real compliment to my new thinner look. I used to hide behind "big hair". Figured if my head looked bigger my body would look smaller!!!
   — Rose A.

December 27, 2000
Don't neglect your protein, no matter how terrible it tastes. I did, and I became very ill. Make sure your surgeon UNDERSTANDS what you are saying if you have a problem, mine didn't when I told him I couldn't keep the protein down. Make sure the water you drink is COLD, not room temperature from sitting around in a bottle all day. I finally learned from the surgeon's nurse that warmer water causes stomach spasms--I was having more than 30 bouts a day of dry heaves--I thought I would die I was so miserable. Do get your hair cut and styled as you go along. You will feel and look so much better, especially when/if your hair starts to thin (Nioxin shampoo, conditioner and treatments have helped a LOT). If you use makeup, keep using it, even if you are staying home. I found if I made myself look good as soon as I got up, dressed in an attractive robe/clothes and did my hair, I felt so much better about myself, the surgery and all else. While you may have a family to take care of, take care of yourself FIRST. This is one time in your life YOU should be number one. The better you are to yourself, the better you will be for them. Don't go back to work too soon. I went back (medical transcriber) after three weeks--way TOO SOON and that helped contribute to my illness. I had to stop and was ultimately off work for three months due to being so sick.
   — Connie G.

December 27, 2000
If you have school-aged children, purchase food that they can fix with little or no supervision - that will keep you out of the kitchen during those "I wish I could eat" days. Don't waste your money on baby food...I never cracked open a jar - during the puree stage, nearly everything can go in the food processor or blender. Have someone help you up from the bed, chair or couch whenever you can...a lot less painful. Don't overdo it, but don't have anyone wait on you hand and foot either. If you want a blanket, pen or water, get it yourself - it will promote exercise. Have a little cash on hand in case you need to have someone run out for you (you won't feel like going to the bank or store, trust me!) And during these cold, dark winter months, make sure you open some blinds and get some sunshine or light everyday, so you won't feel like a shut-in. Good Luck and God Bless!
   — Allie B.

December 27, 2000
I would eat slower and stick to the post op diet the Doctor gave me. I would exercise more and increase my protein. I would also take it one day at a time. Not to rush myself and do things on my own time.
   — Sharon T.

December 28, 2000
I would talk to your surgeon, and request a binder be put on in recovery. I ended up with a hernia from the extra strain on newly cut and sutured muscles. It also helps with the cough and deep breathing exercises, laughing, and sneezing!! The other thing is not to obsess. Try not to watch the scale. It goes up and down on fluid intake, and retention. It has very little to do with FAT loss. It was hard for me to accept the fact that I could not mess up this weight loss as always. I am now 100# lighter, at goal, and weigh 130#. We all have about the same stories. When you think you messed up and ate something you shouldn't, don't beat yourself up. Enjoy it, and learn from it. Try to accept your choices. The world has put us fat people down for so long, that we tend to do it to ourselves also. I will always be Morbidly Obese inside. And I hope I always will, that way I will keep the compassion I have. Check out my profile. I have a new After picture. Good Luck and God Bless You --
   — CohenHeart

December 28, 2000
Drink your water! I bought a lot of 16 oz. bottles of diet Nestea, then I'd refill them with water and keep in the frig. That way, I'd monitor my water intake. Also, when I went back to work, I'd take 2 bottles to drink between breakfast and lunch -- that way I had half my water drank by noon. I also enjoyed diet Snapple and Crystal Lite. Now, at almost 9 months out, I need to get back into this habit which I've let sorta slide lately. (Note to self: drink YOUR water!) I always moisturize my body and that includes my face and neck. Do the face and neck with upward strokes (downward strokes promote wrinkles - yuck!) Refried beans from Taco Bell and chili from Wendy's helped in the beginning too. VARIETY is the SPICE of life -- so find lots of variety in your diet and you'll probably discover you LOVE the way food tastes now! What not to do??? DO NOT taste of candy and sweets with sugar -- at first, you'll dump, but later, you may find you no longer dump and then you'll be mad at yourself again! Try Splenda, a sweetener that's made from sugar but with no calories. I found it at Osco Drug. Walk a little every day.
   — Cindy H.