I couldn't decide where to put this one so I figured that most of it's gonna come after surgery so I put it in post op. Feel free to move it if necessary.

I was reading another thread and someone said these words and it made me think about what I have learned reading this board and was amazed at the responses I saw stating that they were not told such and such before hand. What are some things that you have learned after the fact?? The things you didn't find out until you were elbow deep into this journey...

Let's hear them, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I know that I am not the only one to wander this and I know that others looking are curious as well. The only way to learn is to talk to others that have been through the experience. Thanks, Dave.

Thanks Everyone, this topic is really helpful. I had my surgery August 1, 2012 and I am starting to experience some of the things you all are talking about. My husband just told me the other day that since my surgery, my morning breath is really bad.

Also, is anyone experiencing the Saliva in the mouth constantly?

Chlorophyll and peppermint oil can help with body odors.

When my mouth starts flooding with spit it’s a sign I am gonna puke!

My mouth is pretty dry on the whole and maybe that’s due to not being able to drink water so I drink a lot of decaf tea which means I am not really drinking enough who knows lol

Hopefully the water thing will settle down soon but I am the opposite dry dry dryyyyy

There are a few things I did have to find out on my own. Being constantly cold for the first 3 months was one. I suppose that was due to severe calorie deficit. I mean, who could stay warm with 300 calories?

Also, when I did a strenuous 10 mile hike up and down a mountain I tried to do it on my usual calorie load of 750 with low carb. I got down and starting shaking. Now I take toast and Peanut Butter with me.

Then there is my aversion to sugar and the fact that I do not salt my food. I love unsalted nuts. I never did before.

I wasnt told about the hair loss.

Sweet stuff makes me sweat. So it makes me think eating candy, etc.

Re-think eating sweets.

In the first few weeks post op, after eating I had to rest and usually had a quick nap, it's like digesting food became this tremendous chore for my body.

Two hiccups and I'm done. My family gets a kick out of this.

You won't have a BM right away. When you do have one keep one thing in mind..."liquid In - Liquid Out"....after you start full Protein and solids, you will have the opposite problem, be prepared with extra Fiber, fruit or prune juice (works like a charm)

hair loss is normally and ongoing during weight loss

My full signal never is consistent. I have gone through burps, hiccups, sneezes, gurgling. It's taken me a while to realize when my body does something unexpected, it's probably time to stop or I'll start feeling like stuff is stuck behind my sternum. I have not had slimies yet, thankfully.

Before surgery I understood you have to sip, but I guess I never realized pre-surgery how much Water 64 oz really is.

Constipation - I need to take a stool softner every three days or so. It really helps.

I also get a hot/flushed feeling after I eat a little too much that lasts for up to an hour. I also get the hiccups after eating.

Me too going through this right now ugh!!! It's very irritating....

I have a question can you eat seafood like Crab Legs. I am 3 weeks post op.

I have a question can you eat seafood like Crab Legs. I am 3 weeks post op.

Sure. Why not? -- as long as you don't eat the shell.

Seriously, it depends on what eating plan your surgeon put you on. at 3 weeks I was on full liquid which means milk, yogurt, Protein shakes, etc.

I was pretty well informed by my doc, nutrionalist and my own research, but I was not expecting Water to suddenly taste so awful. Now, at 8 months out, I can drink it again, but it is no longer my favorite beverage. Herbal teas and water flavorings are a life saver - plain ole water isn't what it used to be. Remember - herbal teas - no caffiene - can really help!

I also wasn't expecting to develop a lactose intolerance, although I had heard about it on these forums

I was allowed to add back decaf and eventually caf coffie. It can really stir up the acid so proceed with caution, based on your surgeon's advice. I have a cup a day... sometimes 2.

I also want to mention that some of the icky things people talk about (ie BM stuff) is for most people not a problem over the long run - it is those first few weeks as your poor body is adapting to the surgery, and the crazy food plan during the healing period. It gets talked about a lot but isn't really a problem for me anyway.

Depends on your surgeon's protocol. I don't remember the week when I could add seafood, I am thinking it was with other meats and more like 6 weeks. All surgeons are a little different.

I have a question can you eat seafood like Crab Legs. I am 3 weeks post op.

My Surgeon has us starting soft foods at week three. Tuna and Flakely White Fish is on the list. I was just wonderng about crab.