QUESTION: IF YOU could tell your pre-op self ONE THING, ONE word of advise, something that you WISH SOMEONE WOULD have told you... WHAT WOULD IT BE???

Edited June 11, 201412 yr by cindyvirden.com

Dredging the very depths of my 40+ year old schoolgirl Latin, I'd say:

Haec et olim meminisse juvabit

One day we shall laugh to remember even this.

Thank you Cindy , you made me smile I glad they are good people here. That can support and lift us when we are down god bless you if you don't mind I would love to keep in touch with you ,god bless you Cindy you made my day

Get a good therapist. Now. Because you won't be able to rely on food anymore to bury your emotional insecurities.

Remember to be patient... this too shall pass.

Don't even try the chocolate. Just don't. Not even one bite. Don't. Do. It.

As a Bander....I wish I could have told myself not to take the first 4-6 months as though that's the way it was going to be...RELAX.....it's only a phase of adjustments to get through, as hellish as it is, it will get easier and easier....

I wish someone, anyone would have told me that....

I think it would be to work on not having the same personality after surgery as I had before. the guilt etc. that feeling full is okay. doesn't mean I would gain weight just because I am satisfied. still working on this. and its been a year.

QUESTION: IF YOU could tell your pre-op self ONE THING, ONE word of advise, something that you WISH SOMEONE WOULD have told you... WHAT WOULD IT BE???

You have a limited window - maximize your efforts in exercise and eating (the naughty stuff will still be there once your window has ended).

Patience.....change takes time and not just physically but also mentally. Fall down 4 times then get up 5 times and keep going.

Start working on your disordered eating now.

Agree with other posters-- don't compare your results to others. I lost slow and steady. It's not a race

Thanks everyone for your support , we are truly a family here

MARY CADE, You have a zillion people here who support you, we all have had a similar journey and got

to the other side just fine. You will too. If this is any help , I was exactly your weight 2.5 years ago on the day of surgery. I am now a healthy 160 lbs and look and feel VERY healthy. My stomach problems, sleep apnea and constant tiredness are GONE ! This morning I went running 2 miles ( SLOOOOOOWLY), am wearing cute size 10 clothes, and have energy to burn. My husband thinks im hot, and I dont mind the looks from the cute guys either ! ( Im married, not dead ! ) You can do this !

The one thing I would say and will say is BELEIVE!

That first few days will be very tough, but that struggle will be worth it.

That this really is major surgery, and it will hurt.

That all of this will be worth it soon...

“Your Mom is going to die a week after your surgery.”

But really that boils down to the advice “be prepared for anything – and have support” – for so many people this is a financial drain and they push, push, push for that earliest date. Give your resources flexibility, as well as consider your closest friends and families schedules. These two things will make any emergency you have post-surgery much easier to handle.