WLS Do’s and Don’ts

DO remove the word ONLY from your vocabulary. Ex: I’ve ONLY lost 10 Lbs in 2 weeks… Now let’s look at this again without the word ONLY: I’ve lost 10 Lbs in 2 weeks!! See what I mean? Perception is reality folks!!

DON’T assume you’ll never eat all of your favorite foods again. This is just an excuse your brain has designed to allow you to indulge. You WILL eat all your favorites again someday, just much less but find it to me more enjoyable. Which leads directly into the next:

DON’T do the “last meal” syndrome. You will only sabotage your weight loss you might have pre-surgery or set you back further from your ultimate goal post-op. This surgery is very serious and is for the serious minded. Use this time wisely to get the feeling of how life might be like post op.

DO learn all of the rules pre-op that you will endure post-op. Such as, no drinking with meals, using smaller utensils and plates, engaging in some type of workout routine, limiting your sugar and sodium intake, joining as many WLS support groups as you can.

DO Celebrate every single pound lost! Imagine one pound of butter. Yeah… that’s gone from your body forever. It is noteworthy and worth every bit of a pat on the back as any others that may go along with it.

DON’T compare your successes and losses to others. Chances are very high that you will only come out on the short end and only find yourself disappointed. Everyone’s journeys are their own…

DO keep track of your losses in many different ways than just the scale! Examples:

DO keep one set of your largest clothes you’ve ever worn. Make it a point to try them on, especially when you’re having a down moment. You will find this will really pick up your spirits! This is a real rollercoaster of a ride, and anything that will keep you positive is what you should do!

DON'T keep any other fat clothes around. Get rid of them ASAP. You're never going to fit them again, right? So... off to donations they go.

DO take photos of yourself just before your surgery. Keep them close. Again, having a bad day? Look at them and compare them. As a matter of fact, take photos of yourself often. You will also find that the more you lose, the more you will want to take pictures. Nothing wrong with that!!! That goes with celebrating your losses.

DO take measurements of yourself often. Keeping track of all your inches lost will really keep you on the right track when your scale is being stubborn!!

DO reward yourself every time you hit a mini goal. Make some more worthy than others. I like to go shopping when I hit a goal, it is my favorite thing to do now.

DON’T let the scale define you. Great majority of us will endure many fluctuations and stalls in this journey. It is what it is… patience is the key here. Meditate and envision yourself months down the road at your goal. Smile, then move on!!

DO find out about measuring body fat! It’s more than just weight loss, FAT LOSS is the real goal here. Keep in mind that the BMI scale is greatly inaccurate and most Health Studies do prove this. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE) our body fat % ranges should be average: 25-31% for Women and 18-24% for men. Any higher is considered obese. However it does go more in depth, according to ages and more. Everyone has different genetic make ups, frame sizes and fitness levels... even a different ethnicity can post differences.

DO have many goals in sight. Having only one, especially a simple weight goal you will find can be difficult. Have many MINI goals along your journey, and more than just ones that involve the scale. Such as, clothing size goals, body fat% goals, fitness or workout goals, dietary goals, etc…

DO challenge yourself always!! Whether it’s a global challenge with others, or personal challenges... It will keep you motivated and always willing to go further than you ever thought you could!

DO have a mentor! Find someone that you can trust and confide in, and that you know has “been there”. Preferably someone you know in person. You will find many folks in your life who have been there, for obesity is worldwide now and there are so many who have been able to defeat this demon. It’s not easy! It quite literally is the toughest feat I’ve ever had to endure. I can say this too, my job will never be done. This is for life!

DON'T believe the myth that your tool has an expiration date. Yes, it's true you will lose the most weight in the first year and it's also true that the further out you are and the closer you are to goal, the harder it is to lose. However, as long as you keep up with your healthy eating and fitness routines you will continue to lose weight and / or keep it off in the many years post op. It all boils down to calories in vs. calories out.

DON'T believe the myth that having WLS will keep the weight off forever. That is our individual responsibility.

And finally…

DON’T ever beat yourself up! We all make mistakes, and dare I say not one person on this Earth is perfect. I try hard to be, no doubt! I always admit that I’m a perfectionist – but I’m far from perfect. I just try to be… The only thing you can do is pick yourself up, give yourself a pep talk, perhaps contact your mentor for reassurance and move on!!! Again, this is for life. Every day you wake up is a second chance.

DO look for solutions to your problems. Otherwise they will just become excuses.


DON’T EVER GIVE UP! I don’t think any explanation is necessary here.

DON'T expect the scale to post a loss every single day. As a matter of fact, don't expect it to move that much even weekly! Just keep doing all the right things and the scale will move in the right direction when it needs to.

DO expect to see fluctuations on the scale, both down AND up. DON'T lose your head over it either. This isn't a miracle cure and the weight isn't going to magically disappear in a few weeks. You have to keep pushing with healthy eating, some type of workout and getting plenty of Fluid.

DON'T let the scale define your journey when there are so many pieces to that puzzle!!!



Good luck to all of you. This journey is a tough one, but if you are here, then you believed in yourself enough to give yourself the life you’ve always dreamed of. YOU WILL BE successful. Always keep that in mind.

Add-ons by other experienced sleevers:

DO keep a list of NSV (Non scale victories) to reflect on when times are getting hard. Can you walk up 2 extra flights of stairs before getting winded? Cross your legs?" and

"DO NOT be afraid to change things if they aren't working. Stalls happen even gains happen. If you are on a long stall look at your eating and decided if changes need to be made. Utilize your tool!" -- Southern Sleever

DO: Keep a food diary of what you eat and drink. This is a great learning tool as to which foods have what amounts of fat, Protein and carbs that add up to your daily intake goals. There are many ways to diary your food - from old fashioned pen and notebook to many options via smartphone apps. Keeping one is the important thing - however is right for you. I use mine now to look back for meal ideas when I hit a blank as to what to prepare for a day or a week.

DO: Realize this is not a diet to be followed for a while then set aside. This is a permanent lifestyle change. Yes, the amount of food you eat will increase as time passes, but your relationship with food will be forever altered. How you celebrate your joys, successes and holidays will be different. How you mourn your sorrows will be different. Some people need outside help to get through the sometimes overwhelming mental changes this process brings. If you need help with this part of the deal- reach out and get it. -- SKCUNNINGHAM

DO roll with the punches!! -- fern

I am doing the pre surgery don't with the eating everything in sight because I am afraid I won't be able to eat it again smh

a

I am doing the pre surgery don't with the eating everything in sight because I am afraid I won't be able to eat it again smh

I think the most interesting part to me is my feelings toward what used to be my favorite foods... I'm 3 months post op now and have found so many changes in likes and dislikes... For instance... I love fish now and it used to be I didn't care for any of it other than shrimp!!! I'm constantły aware of which food choices to make and Im pretty good at making the right ones... I'm really thankful when I want an old favorite that may not be the best choice... that I can eat very little of it... Try not to worry too much about whether or not you'll be able to eat your favorites ever again... Focus on what you're doing now... It's too hard to predict how your body will manage different foods down the road... Pay attention to your body and what it's telling you... You'll be fine!!!

Thank you for sharing. Good bless you :-)

You are right. Great discussion going on.

This is great help. I'm in the process for the Sleeve and am working on getting mentally ready, this list is extremely helpful. Thank you

These post are very helpful in getting ready for surgery!

DO take the time to work on the reasons you had an unhealthy relationship with food before surgery. Surgery is awesome and amazing and will help you lose weight, BUT you also have to work on what goes on on the inside as well. That is what will keep the weight off in the long-run.

hello im sabrina im new here not sure im posting in thr right spot but i have so many questions on this surgery im a big female myself n not happy bout it i have tryed to change my weight it isnt that easy to do i came to find out so here is wat i have to ask n say hope to get feed back thanks

i have been lookin into this alot i have always been heavy but i have gained alot since 2009 after i had my gallbladder taken out im not happy with myself or my weight i have tryed to loose its not easy i have 2 beautiful lil boys to live for i lost my father due to him being over 700 pounds he was 36 years old i dont want that to be me one day i refuse to go that far im 330 pounds now i wana be at least 150 is the surgery really worth doing

Hi Sabrina. After much research and talking to successful bariatric patients I had VSG November 2013. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. My health has improved tremendously, I feel great, look great and feel more confident than ever. Often people see me and don't recognize me. Bariatric surgery is worth the changes and sacrifices if you're going to own the process. There were criterion I had to meet for my insurance company (e.g. 7 consecutive months of weigh-ins, blood work, visiting several specialists). From my December 2012 orientation to my surgery date I was completely focused on fulfilling the requirements. I followed the directions given at each appointment. At my monthly weigh-ins I was able to meet with a nutritionist who gave me steps to help ease me into my new life (e.g. not drinking within 30 mins of eating, suggestions of Protein brands and Vitamins, etc.) Remember the surgery is to our stomach not our brain. My surgeon and I discussed weight and BMI goals at my 4 month appointment. He's surprised at how far ahead of statistics I am but he sees my determination.

Since November 2013 I've lost 80 lbs. with 30 to go. Take your vitamins (order samples from various companies in advance). My worst day was the day after surgery. Four to five times per week I'm on the treadmill 35-40 minutes. Success has come without me counting calories. I eat until I'm satisfied which is usually after 2-4 bites. Ensure you intake the amount of protein and Water recommended. There are so many forms of protein that you don't have to get bored. The bottom line is "How bad do you want your new life?" Don't let anything or anyone stop you from making this tool work for you. It's imperative that you know you've found what works for you and be brave enough to work it.

a fantastic summary of the do's & don'ts - I was just approved yesterday by my insurance. It all turned "real" at that moment I read that email!

I'm on the home stretch...my surgery is Tuesday Morning, June 24th @ 6 AM.

Very well said Irene.You have mentioned some very valuable instructions which are like a great inspiration for people like us who are contemplating of going under the knife.I am trying to gather all the information that I can before taking the decision.You sound like a great motivator whose words are going to be of great help for me in the future.

There is so much to know about the sleeve. I'm glad to find this forum. I am in the first steps of getting the sleeve. Had first Dr. visit 6/30/14. It went well . Very informitive, I really like the people at weight management office. all are great and compationate people. even the lab tech was helpful. I will be seeing the physical person this monday then wt mgnt team tues. I am sick of being a fat lady. I have been heavy ever sence my father died. and the skinny sister always b chn about the fat little sister. I don't want to unload here but I have to get somethings off my chest.I hope to be able to have the sugery late sept or early oct.

I've tried other wt loss scams. nothing really worked. I always gained it all back pluss some more. I want a real lifestyle change. I hpoe to find it here.

I'm about 8 days from surgery and one approach I recommend as a DO:

DO take small steps to changing your lifestyle weeks or months before surgery.

I began my journey in Jan 2014 and every few weeks I changed something in my lifestyle to improve my health:

• Began walking
• Stopped drinking diet sodas
• Minimized eating carbs
• Changed from high fat to lower fat Proteins
• Quit smoking
• Began going to the gym
• Cut my net calories to 1700 per day
• Later cut my net calories to 1300 per day
• Stopped caffeine
• Quit alcohol

I introduced these changes slowly over a 6 month period. It's important (and my bariatric psychologist agreed) to not attempt all these changes at once. It's too much change too fast. But introduce them slowly.

I gave myself treats along the way. For example, I calculated how much I saved from quitting smoking and bought some home decor and other goodies.

Now that I've started the pre-op shakes 'n liquids diet, it's not nearly as difficult as it would have been had I not made these changes. I'm not saying it's easy-peasy, but it's not the end of the world.

I'm going into surgery almost 65 lbs lighter than when I started my journey in January and can't wait to be sleeved so I can lose another 75+.

You sound like me.

Months ago I started cutting down on the amount of food I eat, coffee, NSAIDs, carbonated drinks, alcohol, sugar, etc.

And I started chewing much more slowly, not drinking liquids with my meals, walking more, drinking 8 glasses of Water daily, journaling my food and exercise, using My Fitness Pal and a Fitbit, and seeing a shrink.

My surgery will be scheduled in August. My only challenge now is to keep my BMI above the level where my surgeon will still perform VSG surgery.

So why not just lose the weight by myself? Because I feel strongly that I need the additional tool of a sleeved stomach. I have a lifelong history of enthusiastic weight loss followed by steady weight regain. I'm now in my late sixties and looking for way to enjoy an active retirement -- and I don't think yo-yo dieting is going to be the way to achieve it.

Best wishes to us all.