First let me say I feel fabulous! I've lost over 70 pounds in just over 5 months. I went from a 22 to a very comfy 12. The road has not been easy and for all you newbies...here is my list of amazing highs...and of not so sunshiny lows.

Disclaimer: This is my experience...it may not be yours.

1. It will be uncomfortable for a few days post op
   
2. I was not hungry for weeks after surgery
   
3. I was scared to eat or drink and I didn’t drink enough...thus constipation and weakness
   
4. I didn't feel normal for about 6 weeks. I needed naps and I took them
   
5. The weight literally falls off...seriously I was looking for pools of fat in bed when I woke up in the morning
   
6. I hit the 4 week stall and it lasted two weeks. Expect it and don't stress
   
7. On day three, I had a massive freak out…seriously threw a four year old fit…pissed off my stomach was gone.
   
8. No one noticed for months and that irritated me.
   
9. EVERYONE notices now and it's all they want to talk about.
   
10. Don’t tell anyone you are going to Mexico to have your stomach cut off unless you trust them completely.
    
11. I threw up alot...just slime mostly...while I was learning my new tummy. It will scare you and if you are like me…it will happen a lot when you transition to solid foods.
    
12. food addiction does not magically go away...if you have a problem before..you will still have it. I think about food all the time, but I finally have a way to resist it. I am a sugar addict. I never crave carbs, but I crave sugar like a mad woman.
    
13. Going out to dinner is awkward. I hate watching people eat
    
14. Put the lotion on the skin! My skin got really dry.
    
15. I’ve lost half my hair at 4.5 months post op. Mine came out in chunks. Freaked me out! Our Golden Retriever and I are in a competition for shedding. It will be ok. Take your Vitamins and buy Nioxin. It doesn’t help my hair loss, but I feel like I am at least doing something about it.
    
16. Don’t take a powerful laxative when you are constipated…especially before your child’s school performance. It may say “See results in 2-4 hours” but it means 30 mins and then you’re stuck on a mini toilet with both legs numb, crying to everything holy to save you.
    
17. Shopping is amazing! I still feel like people are looking at me like I don’t belong there…but that’s all in my head.
    
18. My shoes no longer fit. they are too wide now!
    
19. Your pre WLS Spanx will look huge in a couple months
    
20. Trust me…put some Granola bars in your glove box and a few packs of mixed nuts. Sometimes your hungry and there is nothing that you can eat.
    
21. Handy meals from the market or gas station when you didn’t plan ahead. Single string cheese, an apple, mixed nuts, readymade hard boiled eggs, The inside of California rolls- no rice, campbells Soup at hand or ready made soup in a coffee cup.
    
22. Handy items at fast food places that sit ok on my tummy include: Taco Bells refried Beans or the inside of a chicken taco. Wendys chili, McDonalds oatmeal, McDonalds yogurt parfait
    
23. I feel guilty in front of my heavier friends. I always try to wear a sweatshirt so I don’t rub the weight loss in their faces.
    
24. You get drunk really fast...like a half glass of wine. Be careful...it sneaks up on you...and before you know it, you’re waiting for your hubby to pick you up...from less than a glass. Its crazy. I don't really even try anymore to drink.
    
25. I crave raw fish, cooked fish, broiled fish, grilled fish...any fish really and it feels amazing on my tummy.
    
26. I cant eat steak
    
27. I love that I have collar bones
    
28. I update my Facebook pictures and secretly love the compliments
    
29. I own a woman's North Face now
    
30. I can buy bras at Victoria's secret
    
31. I pack all my food for work in snack bags and the little tupperware containers for salad dressing.
    
32. I can still have M&M's...its just like 9...instead of the king size bags
    
33. Take heartburn medicine everyday...don’t wait until you get heartburn.
    
34. Buy stock in Maalox
    
35. You can have a full meal at Costco- Samples + WLS = Cheap Date!
    
36. Food Portion jokes get really old
    
37. Fast food burgers makes me want to vomit.
    
38. At 5 months...salad is wonderful. I can eat about a cup of greens...which takes me a while and I feel a tiny bit normal.
    
39. Post-op, If you can swing it, buy a Vita-Mix blender and make your own soup. Canned soup was nasty right after surgery. Freeze them in 4oz canning jars. It will be two servings.
    
40. Quit Smoking before surgery. I waited and it slowed my healing. It also gave me terrible heartburn. I am 5 weeks smoke free
    
41. You don't have to "confess" you had WLS. It's ok to say thank you for the compliment and not feel guilty. I'm just now starting to accept that I had a little something to do with this insane loss. I tell people when they ask now how I lost the weight, that i exercise and use portion control.
    
42. People will treat you different. Salesladies ask if I need assistance, men hold open doors and the skinny girls at work talk to me now. It's shallow and pisses me off, but it's nice to not be invisible anymore.
    
43. WLS is very difficult. For me, it’s not physical, but the mental. Sometimes I just want a cheesecake like before. It goes away very quickly, but it still comes and goes. Sometimes I get angry at my sleeve because I can’t eat something I see others eating. Most of the time I have to hide my expression when I see people shovel food in the way I used to. It’s shocking to see when you’re on the other side of WLS. I used to inhale my food like a tiny food thief was going to come in and take it away from me.
    
44. You will have to say no to your family when they all want to go to a Chinese buffet. I’m still not ready to walk in and be near a buffet.
    
45. It feels awesome to give your clothes away, however, do not offer them to your heavier friends. It’s insensitive and they won’t return your calls for a week.
    
46. Last one...I played laser tag this past weekend with a bunch of 9 year old boys. It was soooo Much fun!!!
    

Please feel free to add any other thoughts or tips...

Thank you all for your comments. its crazy how different life is now. Even though I haven't posted a lot lately, these boards have been a lifesaver and I read them everyday. I had fun writing this post.

Great List! I'm 6 weeks post-op and have had similar eperiences. I'm looking forward to reaching this milestone.

great info lacie - thanks so much!!

now, being the accessory w**** I am (lol) - I MUST know where you got that beautiful feather necklace?!!??

Hi blondi, I believe I picked up the feather at either Macy's or Kohls...cant remember... its a fun one...its all blingy! I love that i can wear fun hip jewelry now! I always felt stupid trying to wear statement pieces when i was bigger. Thanks!!!

@phatdiva, super excited for you! This time coming up is the magic time! You feel more normal and you see the weight fall off!!!

Thank you for sharing your experience.

For those of us who are still in the planning process of getting our surgery it's SUPER helpful to hear other's stories!

This is such a great post! Ty

Thanks for sharing! I'm 3 weeks post op and already hit a stall. I'm so upset about this. I don't know what else I can do to make the weight come off. Any suggestions?

Very cool post Lacie. Sounded very familiar!!

Wow wow wow. As if I was reading my own diary!!!!!! I am just two weeks away from being "5 months out" and hopefully will be just a lil over 60# down at that point!!!! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!! Your list was RIGHT ON!! And so good for both those of us who've gone thru it and those who are getting ready. Great post!

Wow!.... Thanks for this post I needed this

I love this post! I am also craving fish. Weirdest thing ever! Terrified of losing my hair but that's life!

Thanks so much for the tips! You answered many things I have been wondering about. I am about 1 month pre-op and after reading your list I took notes!

What is ur fb if u don't mind like to keep up with progress

Thank you so much for the enlightening us on some great tips! That was something I really needed to read! I've been feeling alone with the whole process, even though I have been on this site everyday, it's so hard when you realize your the only one out of your family doing this. I am only 8 days post op and I keep going back and fourth with my emotions. At first I was so upset with myself and was telling myself, "I messed up!" It is getting easier with every passing day but it still plays with my emotions a bit! So THANK YOU for all the knowledge and insight! ????