i am 11 months post op, and frequently get asked what i wished i had known pre op. here are 4 things:

I wish i would've known that i would still get hungry.- i was told my hunger would be gone.

I wish i would've known that the 1st 5 days of recovery could be difficult- i was told i would just be a "little sore"

I wish i would've known that my weight loss would be slow- i compare myself to others

I wish i would've known how yucky the Protein shakes would get to be--they suck now.

Please chime in! What do you wish you would've known pre op? Our honesty could help those who are still pre op.

Dont be scared-- im not complaining. i love my sleeve and the results i have gotten so far.

Thank yall so much for your honesty! I have my surgery on Tuesday and I am so excited.

T

I agree with all above. I am only a 6-day post op patient and wold love to know when the diarrhea stops!

Just wondering what you would have done to better prepare for the first month?

I love my sleeve, too, but I wish I had known how awful the first month would be, I would have been better prepared for it.

I love my sleeve, too, but I wish I had known how awful the first month would be, I would have been better prepared for it.

I called my doc the second day of diahrrea and he told me to take Benefiber and a probiotic. It stopped by the end of the day. You might want to ask your surgeon about doing this too. I wouldn't take anything without your doctor's ok.

I wish I would have known that sipping is as hard as it is and how quickly you will feel full. I mean ONE OUNCE of anything and you will feel it. The delicate balancing act of dehydration and not overdoing it is the sole focus on the first week. It's kinda scary! I ddn't realize how "tight" it would feel. I am also dropping weight like crazy. 9.5 pounds since surgery 5 days ago. This is a crazy ride for sure! I wish I knew I wasn't overdoing it. I go back to doc tomorrow so I guess I will get their feedback. You get this far and you just want to be sure that nothing you do could jepardize the sleeve. But I am glad to be on this side - the waiting was no fun!

I wish someone told me you would never ever really enjoy food again.

Not sure how post-op you should start to enjoy food again 3-6 months post-op. I started to enjoy food a little too much at about 8 months post-op.

Thank you so much for your insight guys I'm having surgery on March 28 2014 I'm super excited!

Thank you so much for your insight guys I'm having surgery on March 28 2014 I'm super excited!

I wish I had known that I would lose all my curves and my backside.

I wish I had known that my hair would continue to grow but would thin out.

I wish I had known that I would lose all my curves and my backside. I wish I had known that my hair would continue to grow but would thin out.

Hey FibroDiva! I haven't seen you on here for a while. Try doing some weight training to build up your glutes. It will take tie but your butt will feel/look better. For your hair try adding more your omega 3 fats in your diet with avocado or eggs, organic beef or chicken, nut butters. I am convinced that this helps my hair and skin. Sending you a cyber hug! (())

I disagree with WorkInProgress01, who said she wishes she'd known she wouldn't enjoy food. The only time I didn't enjoy food was during the liquid-only and pureed-only stages. Ever since I've been allowed solid foods again I've been enjoying food - just in smaller amounts.

Great information in this thread and an invaluable reference. Hopefully I won't have too much to add post-op thanks to this!

Hi Chelenka,

I pushed myself into a painful Fibromyalgia flare. I went to a family reunion in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and walked around without my scooter. Then my daughter got a new job out of state, moved and her husband stayed behind (he's looking for a new position so he can join her and the baby). I went with her to help with the baby. Finally, I went to DC to give testimony to the FDA about the medication needs of a person with Fibromyalgia and gastric sleeve surgery. Thanks fur the suggestions.

I joined Planet Fitness for my birthday so I will work with their personal trainer.

Hey FibroDiva! I haven't seen you on here for a while. Try doing some weight training to build up your glutes. It will take tie but your butt will feel/look better. For your hair try adding more your omega 3 fats in your diet with avocado or eggs, organic beef or chicken, nut butters. I am convinced that this helps my hair and skin. Sending you a cyber hug! (())

I wish I had known:

1. I would still fight real hunger after surgery

2. I would still be on a "diet" and have to carefully control my calories and carbs to lose weight

3. That maintenance is exactly like the weight loss phase. You still measure, weigh and track with the reward being, not weight loss but no increase.

4. That it WOULD actually work no matter that nothing else had worked before.

5. That I would have to accept my thinner but not perfect body and that would take mental work but that I would get there and be able to love the way I looked.

So so so worth it guys, don't hesitate.