I am one week post op. I have been very fortunate that I have had no problems with pain, acid, Fluid intake etc. What advice would you give someone preparing for this surgery? I have a few recommendations of my own, but thought it would be helpful to share your thoughts on what made your process/transition smoother.

My thoughts are:

1. Be mentally ready for this change. You have to realize the sleeve is a tool that YOU have to use. The sleeve isn't a miracle drug that will magically make pounds fall off. You have to eat healthy nutritional foods.

2. Hydration is key post op. If you currently are not a big Water drinker, you should start trying now to increase your intake.

3. Be prepared for comments from others that don't understand why you've opted to do this. When I first started telling people and I would receive negative comments about it, I felt defeated and second guessed my decision.

4. Start getting physically active (if you can) before surgery. Sit and use handheld weights, walk as much as you can. You don't reaize how many other muscles other than your core (stomach) muscles you use to help get yourself in and out of bed post op. If those other muscles are not strong, they will be sore on top of a stomach that feels like it has done 1,000 crunches.

5. If you are going to be out of work for a period of time, be sure you know your employer's policy on time off and understand the timeline for necessary paperwork that needs to be completed and who needs to complete it.

6. Have a meal plan for what you may like to try to eat post op. Plan your meals a day in advance. This will allow you to stick with your Protein intake goals.

7. Start walking as soon as you can post op. It truly makes a difference.

8. Listen to your body post op and keep your follow up appointments. If you had a nutritionist or bariatric coordinator, use them as resources.

What else would you recommend?

Good topic! and that is a great list! Here is my 2 cents:

1. Try out some Protein shakes pre-op. Believe me - I wish I had done this first. I hate buying brand after brand and having to finish off some really bad-tasting stuff just because of the money that I spent. I hear you can buy sample packs in US. I wish I had the option in India.

2. DONT weigh yourself every other day. I learned a very hard lesson. I used to weigh myself every three days or so in the beginning. I really didnt see any movement and got discouraged. I know it will be very tempting in the beginning. So if you could do like a weekly weighing it will help you keep your sanity LOL

3. Measure inches. All around. Who ever knew you could pack fat around your ankles?!

4. Ask a LOT of questions to your surgeon. Do major research. This is not a light decision to make. Make sure you make an informed decision.

5. Get yourself a support group -- your close family or friends or fellow sleevers. This forum is a great support system for me.

1. Try out some Protein shakes pre-op. Believe me - I wish I had done this first. I hate buying brand after brand and having to finish off some really bad-tasting stuff just because of the money that I spent. I hear you can buy sample packs in US. I wish I had the option in India.

i would say DONT do this LOL. Buy big bags anyway. I have 4 bags of distugsting Protein powder that my stomach revolts against there is about 300 bucks just sitting on my kitchen table my husband grumbles about every time he goes by LOL. Buy a bunch of samples for after your surgery, cause what you like before you might not like after.

Buy a bunch of samples for after your surgery, cause what you like before you might not like after.

Wow! I didnt realize that! But I guess it makes sense considering I cant eat sweets anymore but pre-op I just LOVED chocolates

Since we're talking about our senses and tastes changing, how about our sense of smell? I can garlic when someone has had it and that has never happened to me before. Sadly, when my boyfriend tries to give me a kiss I almost turn away. He doesn't need to have much of it but it smells like he ate a clove or two... I've read this can last a month but for some people longer. I hope it clears up soon.

Since we're talking about our senses and tastes changing, how about our sense of smell? I can garlic when someone has had it and that has never happened to me before. Sadly, when my boyfriend tries to give me a kiss I almost turn away. He doesn't need to have much of it but it smells like he ate a clove or two... I've read this can last a month but for some people longer. I hope it clears up soon.

Interesting! I didn't know this was a side effect. I told my son several times yesterday that he smelled like his clothes were sour, but everyone else thought I was crazy. And my wife had bad breath last night and that is really unusual ( but I smartly didn't say anything). So maybe it is just me!