I would tell myself how important it is to stay hydrated. NEVER EVER EVER DEHYDRATE as I smack myself around.

I would tell myself to start learning to chew slow and not drink while I eat.

I would tell myself to start buying smaller clothes in various sizes as I see them on clearance or at 2nd hand shops.

It's expensive to constantly be dropping sizes!

I would add that the pre-op diet is your friend. Take that time to learn to eat the small portions when you can eat. Experiment with different shakes and liquid foods to see which ones you like while it is not so painful to have a gag reflex. I had to go through 3 weeks of pre-op due to some additional tests being required at the last minute, but feel it was worth it. I entering my 3rd week post-op and haven't had any strong cravings or hunger pains despite the very vocal objections of my stomach. (I tell it that is all you are getting so deal with it)

i'd tell myself to stop looking at before and after photos. comparing my progress to someone else's takes away the thrill and joy of the progress i'm making when i think i should be going faster or looking better than i am. it's not always helpful and it's not always inspirational, especially if i think i'm failing because i'm not keeping up where everyone else may or may not be.

I'd tell my former self to embrace protein. I had 80+g for the last month and before that I probably barely got 1/3 to 1/2 that for 33 years... And boy does it make such a difference.

I would have told myself to take a picture right before I started my pre opp diet, the only before picture I have is 2 weeks after my surgery and I was down 27lbs already.

Thank you for posting this one. Today is my BIG day! I feel like I'm shifting my addiction from food to this forum...LOL! Can't wait for my ticker to show some progress now. My new life begins in just a few hours. Please keep positive thoughts for me over the next few days. I am so happy to begin this journey to feeling accomplished and really great again.

that you can do it if you want too

gosh i love proving myself right

Write a letter to your future self only to be read when you hit goal. Put all your thoughts and dreams in a letter and seal it and do not open until goal. Tell yourself the good, the bad and the ugly.

I created a thread about this yesterday but thought it might be worth mentioning here.

I'd tell myself to make absolutely sure this is the right path for you. Chart the pros and cons. Practice small quality eating, chew-chew-chewing and start tracking your protein intake so that after surgery you've got a rough idea of what you need to consume to get enough in.

Despite the fact that banding can be reversed, it's very likely that if you have to have your band removed down the road, you won't be the same. There may be foods you'll never be able to eat again either physically or due to a psychological componented tied to a bad experience with that food.

Be realistic with yourself about the side effects which can be painful, time consuming and pricey. Between my initial surgery, barium swallows, endoscopy, hernia repair etc., it's well over $50,000 in three years. There's no telling what the Affordable Care Act will do or cover when it comes to WLS and follow up.