Question:
If you had it to do all over again...
what would you do differently? I have three months until my surgery and from what I read my feelings of depression and anxiety are normal. So...in order to turn this negative energy into something positive please share with me what are the best ways to prepare (ie. lose a few pounds, last meals, excercise, get used to eating protein first now, etc.) and things you wish you had done differently both pre-op and early post-op. The beauty of this website is the ability to learn from others mistakes as well as successes. Thank you so much. Theresa — Teri F. (posted on February 28, 2004)
February 28, 2004
I wasted 9 months of my life in useless worry before surgery. I WISH I
could of looked forward to it rather than assuming that was going to be the
date I died:( Try to enjoy life and not worry to much. get some exercise,
eat some last suppers but try to bnot look at WLS as the end of anything
but beingf MO. It was the start of my new life:)
— bob-haller
February 28, 2004
I don't think I would have done much of anything differently, except
starting my weight training earlier. I started keeping food diaries from
day one after surgery, and did that intermittantly - I wish I would have
compulsively kept continuous food journals. I did have plenty of "last
suppers" before surgery. Truthfully, I am glad I did do that, because
a lot of those foods no longer appeal to me, and some of it has to do with
"head talk" - you, know, "I won't be able to eat this after
surgery." - and I haven't! Also - be sure to take your measurements
and pictures before surgery; I wish I would have done that. Sometimes I
don't see that I have changed, even though my sizes are much smaller.
— koogy
February 28, 2004
I would have not freaked out as much over stupid things like not losing
weight every week, or eating carbs. I would have stuck closer to the
protein drinks so that I could have not lost as much hair (no I didn't go
bald). I would have pushed harder in exercise. 5 hours minimum a week of
cardio. I am trying to be at that level now. I should have been at that
level at 3 mos.
Really on the scheme of things, I did pretty darn good.
— mrsmyranow
February 28, 2004
(1) Eat healthfully (that'll probably be like a "diet," compared
to your usual eating habits; at least, it was for me!).<P>(2)
Protein-load. I didn't do this before WLS, but I've read that doing
protein shakes before surgery helps one recover better afterwards. Since
WLS, I've "upped" my protein shakes before surgery, and I do
think they help, though I can't prove it.<P>(3) Exercise (walking is
best if you're just getting back to it). Increasing lung capacity is
important prior to surgery. Practice deep breathing, holding your breath,
and releasing it slowly. Build some physical strength, and strength in
your lungs in particular.<P>(4) Don't bother with a "last
supper, " or "last supper syndrome." The more you lose now,
the less you'll have to lose post-WLS (and the less you'll beat yourself up
over those last 20 pounds to goal, thinking, "Why did I *gain* x
pounds waiting for surgery?")<P>(5) Don't think you're saying
"goodbye" to food. You may not want, or choose to eat,
"bad" foods for several months following WLS. However,
"head hunger" and cravings for bad foods will eventually return,
at which point, you can eat anything you can eat now (so no need to say
"goodbye" to any food). The trick will be not doing that, of
course, but the point is, don't have a big fling with food now, like it's
gonna die or something and never be there again. It won't/it
will.<P>(6)Read everything you can get your hand (or computer mouse)
on regarding WLS. Haunt the Q&A board here, the message board, read
profiles, click on links to WLS-related stuff, look at drawing of your
surgery (can you draw your new tummy on a napkin yet? go practice, you'll
be explaining it to curious docs for the rest of your life!). Try not to
be surprised about plateaus, the "honeymoon period," strictures,
the "big calcium debate," how to work all your new vitamins
together so they don't cancel each other out, the fact that your weight
loss may be slower at times than any reasonable person should have to put
up with (you may even come out of WLS weighing more than you did when you
went in, due to fluid retention), a high-protein diet, the "pouch
rules for dummies," the fact that you might not dump from sugar (or,
you might from a protein shake!), lactose intolerance, constipation (ugh!),
dexascans, lab test results and what they mean, how clothing sizes are
*totally* irrational, how depression might even follow you into post-op
life.<P>Mostly, don't forget to allow yourself to feel a sense of
hope that after all that struggle with obesity, you have a good chance --
statistically -- of finally overcoming the beast this time. :-)
— Suzy C.
February 28, 2004
I must have been really bad b/c the first thing that comes to my mind is
that before surgery I wish I ate and enjoyed more of my favorite foods and
post-op I wish I never started eating chips and the little sugary stuff I
eat(like mini candybars and chocolate covered pretzels). My life is
becomming all about food again and what can I push on my system today.
After your surgery just think of that stuff as poison, so enjoy it now! I
would start your exercising now and never quit! Good luck to you!
— Sandy M.
February 28, 2004
I wouldn't do anything differently, but I will tell you what I did that I'm
glad about and the things I see others not doing and are now struggling for
it. Take your measurements every month. I record everything monthly -
ankle, shoe size, calf, thigh, hips, abdomen, waist, upper arm, lower arm,
ring size. I also have a monthly picture taken. When you are on a plateau
or are having a difficult time, these things are very valuable. Keep one or
two pre-op clothing items to remind yourself where you came from.
Participate in monthly support groups. Follow your surgeons instructions.
Exercise as soon as possible. Good luck to you!
— Yolanda J.
February 28, 2004
To all responders...thank you! I really appreciate the feedback. PS keep
it coming. Theresa
— Teri F.
February 28, 2004
Hummm what would I do differently...well not much- BUT- When I found out I
was going to have surgery (had a year to prepare) I ate like a HOG and put
on over 30 pounds- I was so affraid I would not be able to eat anything
good again- But here I am 15 months later, there is NOTHING I can't
eat/enjoy in moderation...so I would have not packed on those pounds- also
(a minor thing) I would not have went out and stocked up on tons of
jello/broth/pudding/babyfood etc- Post op-I think I should have have
obsessed over the scale so much (I'd panick if I went a few days without
losing weight) But all said and done, 15 months later, and LESS then 1/2
the person I was.....It was all worth it...Best wishes Kim Day of surgery
327 Goal 175 Today 154
— WABBIT F.
February 28, 2004
Theresa - you are in an emotional place right now. I will share with you
what I did prior to surgery, but I can only speak for myself. I read this
website every day. Actually, many times a day. I would take a look at work
and at home. Sometimes it was the only thing that could calm me, from
stopping my mind from whirling. I don't know if I was obsessed, but this is
a huge decision. I felt that it should be pretty consuming - this was a
much bigger decision for me than getting married!
I also read constantly - Overeater's Anonymous, Alcoholic's Anonymous,
Addiction books of all types. I firmly believe that the only difference
between addicts is what they are addicted to. My addiction was food and I
focused (as best I could) on finding out why and working on calming myself
inside. A big part of why I was scared before the surgery was my fear of
what I would do AFTER the surgery - of my possible failure. Doing that
kind of reading (and I continue those readings) helps me stay more
centered.
I started eating healthier prior to surgery. I felt better about myself for
losing a few pounds. I also kicked my Diet Coke habit so that I wouldn't
have to face a caffeine withdrawal after surgery.
I hope that this helps in some small way. Best of luck to you. 335/200/?
— Jodie P.
February 28, 2004
Theresa,
The one thing I wish Id have done differently was to research life as post
op more than I did. I concentrated soley on getting insurance approval and
my pre op tests and yea, I read up on a few things for post op. I wish Id
have prepared myself on the pain afterwards (which gets better day by day I
might add but is no walk in the park) also eatting as a post op. Nothing
could have really prepared me (cept reading up more) on how much my eatting
habits were going to change. The dr did surgery on my tummy not my head as
I still want to eat the same as I did sometimes but my new tummy has to
remind me that i cant. I still fight that daily. You have gotten some
great answers here and that is good. The more knowledge you take with you
the better of you will be.
3 months out and -62 =)
— JennA
February 28, 2004
The only thing I would have done differently would be to have done it
sooner. I am totally happy and don't regret my decision for a minute.
Other than that, I would tell you to lay low on the pain meds if you can,
and to be sure to have something handy for constipation. The narcotic pain
meds like percoset can tie you up in knots. I was readmitted the day after
I came home for potential dehydration due to vomiting up everything that
wouldn't go through my system. Once they stopped my pain meds and gave me
the "royal flush" I was on my way. Even with that difficulty,
which I considered a bump in the road, I didn't regret my choice. Also, if
your Dr. reccommends a fiber thing like Citricel, be careful. Even with
drinking 64 oz. of water a day, it wasn't enough with that stuff. It also
tied my system up. Ask your Dr. for suggestions or ask the nurse for
somnething the night before you leave. Good luck!!
— Fixnmyself
February 28, 2004
to prep for surgery I joined a health club about 3 months prior to surgery,
used a personal trainer 2 x weekly the last month preop. I truely feel the
exrcise helped me be stronger to get up and around post op and recovered
faster. It really help build up my endurance and strength. Also go to
support group meetings preop.
— **willow**
February 28, 2004
Don't think I would have done anything differently. Well maybe I would
have studied some relaxation techniques, like breathing or meditation. It
seems to me that the stress before getting the operation was more stressful
than the operation itself. I got caught up in the last supper syndrome
which didn't help any, but in the overall scheme of things didn't hurt. It
was a psychological barrier which i needed to overcome. I was very lucky
to have good friends to help me along my journey. I think that the most
important thing one can do is relax and enjoy the trip.
— Robert L.
February 29, 2004
hi
the first day after i got home i remenber saying i wish i would of stay on
weight watchers i had some bad pains then but once you get past your three
weeks things are good i am very glad i did it i feel great am off all my
medications i can walk better so life is good so i guess we just have to
put up with pain in our life good luck
— ROSEMARY A.
February 29, 2004
I would start saving for plastic surgery BEFORE I had my RNY!!! I didn't
start thinking about it until I got close to goal. By that time, I had a
laundry list of body nips and tucks that needed to be done. Now, each
year, I get another body part done. This year is my thighs. Next year,
will probably be my boobs, the year after my calves, etc.
— Patty H.
March 1, 2004
I felt well prepared. Here is one sugestion. At the pre-op appointment, I
asked the anesthesiologist if he would give me some subliminal suggestions
while I was still under the anesthesia. He said he would, and the day of
the surgery I gave him a card with some positive suggestions to read to me.
They were things like "I love to exercise", "I love to eat
healthy foods", "I no longer care for sweets and foods that are
bad for me." I don't actually know if he read them to me, but I do
know that after the surgery, I never craved the foods that had made me fat
in the first place, and I really do enjoy exercising. My surgery was
9/9/02, I'm down 175 pounds, and at goal.
— Ann H.
March 1, 2004
Had I known that I would wake up one day (at about 11 months) and have the
weight loss part of my journey be over, whether I was ready or not, I would
have worked my butt off during the first 6-8 months and tried harder to
lose as much weight as possible. I guess I just thought I would have more
time.
— eaamc
March 1, 2004
Just a few things differently. As someone else mentioned, forget about the
last supper syndrome. I thought I would never be able to eat my old
comfort favorites as a post-op. I was mourning fast food-french fries,
cheesecake, brownies etc and making sure I ate plenty of them in a frenzy
in the weeks leading up to my surgery. What a huge mistake! That gain of
10-20 pounds was unnecessary, a further jeopardy while on the operating
table, and would have put me at goal alot sooner if I hadn't gained it as a
pre-op. And most of all, it does not prevent me from eating any of those
old favorite foods today if I choose to do so.
2ndly, get a dexascan (bone scan) as a pre-op. I didn't get one until 5
months post-op, well after the time frame that bone loss could have set in.
The old calcium debate-citrate vs carbonate. The only way to accurately
predict whether your bones are absorbing the calcium you supplement as a
post-op is to have a dexascan. Blood tests are not an accurate predictor,
so you want a dexascan to use as a baseline and get an annual one every
year. I also suggest you start out with citrate and not carbonate(those
yummy chews), as the debate rages on whether carbonate is even absorbed in
our systems.
— Cindy R.
March 1, 2004
Pretty much like everyone else I would not have had so many last suppers. I
put on 20 pounds waiting. I'd work harder at drinking water, especially in
the early months. I felt weak and light headed for a long time. I'm sure it
was probrably dehydration. I would have gotten surgery sooner. I would have
been better at taking my vitamins early on. I'd not have quit my protien
drinks but I would have bought the already mixed kind. The kind you mix
yourself taste awful to me. My surgeon only recommended protien drinks for
the first month. I found that I feel better if i have them on a regular
basis. I gave up caffiene as a preop and about month 3 or 4 went back to
it. I'd of not started that habit again. I'm way addicted to coffee now.
Carrie
— Carrie D.
March 1, 2004
Hmmm... I know I would do the surgery over again in a second. Other than
that, if I had to do it all over again, I would try much harder to lose
weight at the beginning. I lost rather slowly for the first year, and I
think I could have done much more to "speed things up." I think
ultimately I would have lost more weight that way.
— Maria H.
March 11, 2004
Don't buy lots of teas, grits, oatmeal, and other things prior to surgery.
You WILL NOT be eating a lot and this stuff will only be lost money. Have
some foods/drinks in, but have a family member run to the store for you if
you need other things later. Take it easy on yourself, and make a list of
how you feel NOW prior to surgery includingf all aches/pains ect... After
surgery, you will lose quickly and it will be easy to forget all of the
things that you had problems with before. (I am having this problem now). I
am 5 wks out and I no longer rub the steering wheel when I drive, my joints
aren't near as achy, and I am fitting into clothes I haven't wore in 2-3
yrs. Isn't this FAST!!! Just try to relax and get ready to enjoy the
ride.........
— bufordslipstick
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