I'm 2 weeks out from my follow up with my surgeon after completing all the pre op visits and requirements. The coordinator believes I should be getting my surgery date then ((freaking out!)) and I'm curious if anyone who's gone through the process and surgery has any advice or pointers....tips or things you wish you knew beforehand to better prepare.

Maintenance drugs: Extended release drugs work differently with sleeve, Ambien doesn't work for me now. So check with others who have had it who are on the same meds as you

Wean off caffeine over a couple of weeks instead of cold turkey at the hospital (ditto with alcohol and nicotine if applicable)

Get the emotional relationship with food in order: http://www.amazon.com/Emotional-First-Aid-Kit-Practical/dp/0976852659/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1441295897&sr=8-7&keywords=book+bariatric+surgery

I'm 2 weeks out from my follow up with my surgeon after completing all the pre op visits and requirements. The coordinator believes I should be getting my surgery date then ((freaking out!)) and I'm curious if anyone who's gone through the process and surgery has any advice or pointers....tips or things you wish you knew beforehand to better prepare. [/quote

I wish I had known I would be getting a shot in my stomach on surgery day (that one wasn't pleasant). I also wish I had known about the horrible gas pains in my abdomen and shoulder after surgery. They tell you to expect some pain but this was more than I was expecting. Just keep telling yourself "This is all temporary!!" It is sooo very worth it :-)

I too wish I had known about the gas pains. My doc said to expect, "some discomfort" He didn't say it was going to feel like the critter from Alien was trying to burst out of my chest! :-P

I wish I would have known to bring my own CPAP Water to the hospital - they gave me sterilized water, talk about nasty!

And I wish I would have brought my favorite pillow to the hospital. It would have made sleeping easier and helped on the ride home.

I wish I had known I would be getting a shot in my stomach on surgery day (that one wasn't pleasant). I also wish I had known about the horrible gas pains in my abdomen and shoulder after surgery. They tell you to expect some pain but this was more than I was expecting. Just keep telling yourself "This is all temporary!!" It is sooo very worth it :-)

After you get home, and for the first week or so, don't trust a fart. Wish i would've known that. Gross, but true!

All of this makes me laugh now...not so much three weeks ago. Gas was absolutely the worst especially since it took a week for me to feel better.

The shot in the stomach was painful to prevent blood clots. Ask for them to give it to you in the back of the arm which I did post op.

Don't trust a fart...so right. Especially if you are not home and can't get clean. The antibiotics act like liquid plumber.

I can only add two things... It was easy to go cold turkey with caffeine post op since you are in and out of sleep, and have other pains. I wish I had not been scared to take nexium post op and delayed it for a week. Stomach issues resolved within two days of taking it.