wisdom you wish you knew prior to surgery

[teach724 0]

Are there any pieces of wisdom you wish you'd known before surgery that would have made post surgery life a little easier???

[LeighaMason 19]

1) Until you get several fills, its all you. Be prepared to do all the work until the band kicks in and starts helping.

2) You will reach a point where diet alone will not work and you have to start working out.

3) Then you reach a point where you have to work out harder and longer.

4) Then you realize that you like it :biggrin:

[sslouha 3]

I agree with Leigha and I would like to add:

1. surgery was not as bad as I thought

2. that pre op I would gain some weight

3. I should have pampered myself more during pre op

4. Take what everyone says in the chat room and in these post with a grain of salt.

5. Everyone here will understand what you are going through

6. That the band was not going to work immediately instead it will take time but it will be worth it

7. Like in any place you will have your negative nelly's and debbie downers, don't let it get to me

8 That I will go through good moments and bad moments but it will be worth it

10. That everyone has their way of loosing weight and just because one person does not eat something does not mean it will have the same positive effect on me.

11. While I may not feel the band, but it is in there!

12. regardless of how the band is working I am definitely eating less than what I was eating before the band

13. The way I looked at myself before the band is the way I will still look at myself till I have a good chunk of weight gone.

These were just of the top of my head!

Sandee

[Marine mom 3]

That this doesn't have to take over my life. I don't live for food or the band. It is like having a new baby. You can make it peaceful or joyful.

That it isn't up to others to cater to my needs.

That others don't always say the right thing. Just like I don't always say the right thing either.

[blue devil woman 0]

I learned very early that should have done this years ago.

[teach724 0]

Thanks everyone! Very helpful. I just got my approval yesterday and now I found out that I have to have cardic clearance. Feels like one foot forward and several backwards these days. Anxious to get started . . . .

[emjay 8]

That the whole experience would be better than I even imagined.

That you do have to "work" at it. The band is maybe 50% of it, but eating better and exercising get much easier when the weight starts to come off.

That the importance of food in my life has diminished more than I thought it would. I still struggle with it, but I'm able to pass things up more than before surgery.

That I underestimated how good I would feel about myself and how much better I feel now that the weight is (almost) all gone.

That the first 3-4 months are very hard and like dieting. But with motivation, you can continue to lose weight.

That most people are ignorant about lap band and may say really stupid things, not meant to be mean spirited, just that they don't know any better. Don't let them get to you.

That there are people that think they know everything there is to know about lapband and what may work, but really only know about what works for them. Or that they think they know, but don't.

That you may get alot of questions if you choose to have surgery and tell people, because they don't understand how it works. Some for curiousity, and some because they're interested.

That there still is somewhat of a stigma with having surgery and to be prepared for those who may make harsh comments.

[Marine mom 3]

good luck wiht the cardio clearance.

eta: I wish I had gone through the process more peacefully. I read far too much negative, that was never a part of my experience.

Edited June 3, 2010 by MissyMS

[XxMariposaxX 1]

I agree with what everyone has said here but to add to the list:

You will have some sort of port incision pain and it may be hard to sleep because of it. Do not be afraid to ask for pain meds to take before bedtime because they will help ALOT.

You may become cranky due to lack of food and you may feel hunger, just drink lots of fluids and the hunger-pangs will go away. The crankiness will subside eventually too.

The doctors, nurses and people here will tell you to walk as much as you can. DO IT! It'll make you feel loads better.

Take measurements and photos before surgery. You will lose inches even if you don't lose pounds. These make for great NSVs (Non scale Victories)

Buy a magic bullet.. the best thing to make your shakes in.

Try different brands of Protein, they aren't all bad.

Follow the doctor's post-op instructions.. he/she knows whats best for his/her patients.

:Dancing_biggrin:

Good luck on your journey!

[iwannabealoser 0]

As a newbie, I am loving this thread. Thank you everyone. Great info! :Dancing_biggrin:

[StrangeDz 1]

Everyone loses at their own rate.... dont compare yourself with others and give yourself a break! It WILL come off.

Take pictures, weigh yourself and take measurements BEFORE your surgery. My doc didnt do either and I wish I had. I have so few before pics. All I have to compare myself to is the huge clothes I use to wear.

Get a flu shot every year! I got the flu almost 2 years after my surgery, and it is nearly impossible to puke! I thought I was going to DIE from the dry heaves... I think its the first time I actually begged the Lord to let me puke! Ugh, it was horrible...... Take my advise and get a flu shot!

This isnt a quick fix. When I go for my fill, I sit there in the lobby with gastric bypass patients who aer all bragging on how they have lost 100-150 pounds in 6 months... and here I was sitting there only losing 60 pounds in a year! Your decision to get the band instead of the gastric is unique for everyone and i'm sure it is the best decision for YOU. Enjoy your new healthy lifestyle and you will reap the benefits! :Dancing_biggrin:

[valmcgoo 0]

Hi,

I would really like to have a weight loss ticker on my profile! I am new to this so can you tell me where I can get this?

Thanks

[StrangeDz 1]

Hi,

I would really like to have a weight loss ticker on my profile! I am new to this so can you tell me where I can get this?

Thanks

This is the site I use... Once you design your ticker, insert the code into your user signature page. Anytime you update it, it will update on any pages you have the code on.

Good luck! :Dancing_biggrin:

Weight Loss - Diet Ticker

[jllybean1982 0]

Teach, I needed cardiac clearance because my EKG was abnormal and everything was fine. I was so nervous that something would show up and I wouldn't be able to have the surgery, but that wasn't the case. It'll be okay! :Dancing_biggrin:

[teach724 0]

Teach, I needed cardiac clearance because my EKG was abnormal and everything was fine. I was so nervous that something would show up and I wouldn't be able to have the surgery, but that wasn't the case. It'll be okay! :thumbup:

THANKS! I went for my echocardiogram (SPelling???) on friday and get the results tomorrow. I have never had problems with my heart but becasue I took Phen-Phen 8 years ago for about 1 month they said I have to get the test. Oh well at least I will know if my heart is healthy