I wanted to start a thread because I am pre op and wanted to ask the veterans what they wish they knew before they were sleeved. I love this site and find it much more informative because it is people's experiences, not just what your surgeon tells you.

Its not as easy as just getting surgery and then losing the weight. It's still alot if work like making SURE you drink PLENTY of Water and get your Protein for sure!

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Thats a very good question.. My doc and nurse and nut were very clear on what was what.. only thing I can think of is more of a psych thing.. Im post op since dec 20th and have lost 93lbs. Im having a hard time with the fact ive lost so much weight and that I cant believe what size I do wear now.. which is normal not in the plus size like I was used to. I hold clothes up and Im like.. I cant fit in that.. but reality is.. I can fit in that.. I hold up my jeans now.. and yes I can wear pants that dont have elastic in them lol. which was a goal of mine anyways.. but I guess mentally I dont see what others see.. they see weight loss.. huge weight loss..and I dont see it.. I still see me.. maybe if they did more on the psych level.. to help deal with the fact.. hey im not fat anymore. for me thats been the hardest thing.. Im happy with it and all.. but I guess I dont see it yet.. prolly not until I hit my goal.. which isnt very far off really.. 50 something more lbs to go.. so Im doing really well for the short 5 months its been. so best of luck to you.. great things ahead.. regrets? none what so ever.. I would do it again... just wish I had done it sooner.. . I love this site as well.. great advice from all.. Im on my way to onederland

I am only three days post op, but I really wish I had realized how serious it is to learn to sip not gulp. It was incomprehensible to me that it would take an hour to drink four ounces but it's real.

That's all I have to offer so far!

I'm not a veteran by ANY means, but I did recently have surgery (4/1). I was up and ready to go by day 4 but my tummy definitely was not. It's hard in the beginning, especially with the post op liquid diet and puréed foods. For me, it was hard to eat 5 times a day and I had no idea how to get all of the recommended protein in. I didn't realize how hard it would be to keep up with drinking water and taking vitamins every day. The drinking is a full time job on its own! Another thing, although its insignificant, is dining with friends. I knew I wouldn't be able to eat out right away but now since I'm 7 weeks out, I want to hang out with friends and go out to dinner. Usually you can order off the appetizers to have a soup. I didn't tell many people about my surgery so many of friends didnt know. I gets tough having to make up excuses as to why you're eating so little. Also, I would recommend you start researching different protein shakes so you're ready after surgery. Good luck!

I forgot! Sip (not gulp)! And not eating and drinking at the same time, and waiting to drink before and after meals!

Hey - I appreciate it because I have no idea what that will be like. How many ounces of Water is a sip?

On a completely different topic, does anyone know how to add pictures or files?

Also, as to what you say to others. I'd say something like:

1) If I tell you, I'd have to kill you.

2) I'd tell you, but I'm afraid you'd lose all desire to eat.

3) If you really want to know, I can give you the name of my drug dealer.

4) They're having a biggest loser contest at ... work ... church ... in my family ... in my neighborhood ... and I wanna win first place, which is a trip to Hawaii for 2. Maybe I'll bring one of you along.

5) Thank you for noticing. I really appreciate that kind of support!

There was another post that asked this last week. I just thought I'd mention so you can read those responses too if you can find the thread. I'm sure there will be some different responses

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/79861-i-wish-i-wouldve-known-that-before/page__hl__+wish%20+you%20+knew#entry817745

Here's the thread. Hope it helps!

An ounce can be 6-10 sips. Or more....

My #1 is, I wish I knew how much control the sleeve would give me over that little voice. The one that almost constantly told me I was hungry. Just that one thing would have convinced me to have the surgery years ago. Everything else from the surgery is just gravy!

Thats a very good question.. My doc and nurse and nut were very clear on what was what.. only thing I can think of is more of a psych thing.. Im post op since dec 20th and have lost 93lbs. Im having a hard time with the fact ive lost so much weight and that I cant believe what size I do wear now.. which is normal not in the plus size like I was used to. I hold clothes up and Im like.. I cant fit in that.. but reality is.. I can fit in that.. I hold up my jeans now.. and yes I can wear pants that dont have elastic in them lol. which was a goal of mine anyways.. but I guess mentally I dont see what others see.. they see weight loss.. huge weight loss..and I dont see it.. I still see me.. maybe if they did more on the psych level.. to help deal with the fact.. hey im not fat anymore. for me thats been the hardest thing.. Im happy with it and all.. but I guess I dont see it yet.. prolly not until I hit my goal.. which isnt very far off really.. 50 something more lbs to go.. so Im doing really well for the short 5 months its been. so best of luck to you.. great things ahead.. regrets? none what so ever.. I would do it again... just wish I had done it sooner.. . I love this site as well.. great advice from all.. Im on my way to onederland <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Thanks that is very encouraging to know! I never thought about it but yea it seems like it would be an adjustment. When I lost weight in my much younger years I still saw myself as fat. I never made the connection between me and my reflection in the mirror.

I'm not a veteran by ANY means' date=' but I did recently have surgery (4/1). I was up and ready to go by day 4 but my tummy definitely was not. It's hard in the beginning, especially with the post op liquid diet and puréed foods. For me, it was hard to eat 5 times a day and I had no idea how to get all of the recommended Protein in. I didn't realize how hard it would be to keep up with drinking Water and taking Vitamins every day. The drinking is a full time job on its own! Another thing, although its insignificant, is dining with friends. I knew I wouldn't be able to eat out right away but now since I'm 7 weeks out, I want to hang out with friends and go out to dinner. Usually you can order off the appetizers to have a Soup. I didn't tell many people about my surgery so many of friends didnt know. I gets tough having to make up excuses as to why you're eating so little. Also, I would recommend you start researching different Protein shakes so you're ready after surgery. Good luck![/quote']

Thank you, I know I will miss eating out in the way of socializing and good point. I also am not telling hardly anyone and I can already picture my mother in law pushing food on me and questioning my order. She's the last person who needs to know about this surgery bc she has a big mouth. People are so judgemental and see this as an easy way out or cheating. That's the main reason only telling my parents, my husband, and one friend.

Hey - I appreciate it because I have no idea what that will be like. How many ounces of Water is a sip?

On a completely different topic' date=' does anyone know how to add pictures or files?

Also, as to what you say to others. I'd say something like:

1) If I tell you, I'd have to kill you.

2) I'd tell you, but I'm afraid you'd lose all desire to eat.

3) If you really want to know, I can give you the name of my drug dealer.

4) They're having a biggest loser contest at ... work ... church ... in my family ... in my neighborhood ... and I wanna win first place, which is a trip to Hawaii for 2. Maybe I'll bring one of you along.

5) Thank you for noticing. I really appreciate that kind of support![/quote']

Haha that's awesome!

My #1 is' date=' I wish I knew how much control the sleeve would give me over that little voice. The one that almost constantly told me I was hungry. Just that one thing would have convinced me to have the surgery years ago. Everything else from the surgery is just gravy![/quote']

Awesome!

I knew pretty good bit of info before I got the sleeve but going through it is one thing .. The whole social thing going out to eat is hard for me I don't like eating in front of ppl you feel out of place oh my mother inlaw knows I've had surgery and she be like you have to it more cause when I dieted I ate more .. I'm like lady if could eat I would I told her do you not realize I'm not on a diet I had 80 % of my stomach remove its hard when u have ppl that don't understand but my husband does and I have a few friends that understand but going out is a waste of time for me but I'm happy Im 17 weeks on Monday and I've lost 80 pounds been at a stall for almost three week which I don't like but hey I feel so much better