What Is the Biggest Mistake You Made?

[Alex Brecher 10,516]

When you decide to get weight loss surgery, you’re probably very careful. You consider your choice of surgery type carefully, you find out what you can about your surgeon and the pre-op prep, and you follow the pre-op and post-op diets as well as you can.

No matter how careful you are, though, you can make a mistake. It can be something big, such as going with a surgeon your gut told you not to go with, and finding out that the post-op support was as bad as you expected. More likely, your mistakes will be relatively little, such as rushing your post-op diet and finding out the hard way that the rules were there for a reason!

So, what is the biggest mistake you have made in your weight loss journey so far? Was it easy to overcome? Or did it have long-term consequences?

[jane13 2,256]

eating one too many bites about 3 weeks out.

I was uncomfortable for about 45 minutes but I figured that out quick!

[Kindle 8,667]

Letting my dentist put me on clindamycin 4 weeks after VSG. I ended up with a C. diff infection. Risk factors for C. diff are taking a PPI, being in a health care facility, having abdominal surgery or gastrointestinal procedure and taking certain antibiotics. My VSG surgery covered the first 3 and the clindamycin tipped me over the edge. It is the number 1 antibiotic for resulting in C. diff. For me it ended up creating the "perfect storm"....."sh it storm" to be more precise

Short term effects were 2 1/2 months of diarrhea and ultimately a fecal transplant. Long term, I will never take antibiotics again. It's even on my medical ID.

[sharonintx 1,275]

Biggest mistake in this whole thing was thinking that I didn't need any counseling, either before or after surgery. I thought I was more than ok without it. Haha! Wrong. i worked through all the emotional issues eventually and everything turned out fine in the end but I learned that it's incredibly important to have psychological support both before and after surgery.

Don't be like me and think you simply don't require it.

[Sajijoma 1,324]

My biggest mistake is not realizing how monumental losing weight would change my life. My life before was very basic and routine because it had to be. I couldn't function really and now, there are lots of fights and arguments because I'm not ok just sitting on the sofa starring at my husband play video games for hours and the kids run around from place to place while my life burns away. Even the best relationships will have periods where you have to renegotiate your life together. I mean, we aren't getting a divorce or anything, but I was not expecting to have to fight for the right to be allowed to go to the mall or go for a walk because it's not what he likes to do and he's still stuck in our old life cycle and I'm trying to make a new one.

[Christinamo7 4,042]

I am still in early days, but so far it has been rushing the exercise. I am not really able to eat enough calories on my program to support all I want to do so I am trying to dial it back a bit for now.

[GibbsGirl 483]

Thinking I got this....in reference to sweets. Just because I can't eat large amounts they are still a trigger food that I do not make good choices about.

[melyssafaye 181]

I'm only 10 days out, but so far I think it was having mashed potatoes during purée. It seemed like a great purée food but I only had a couple bites. A few hours later was the first time I caught myself daydreaming and considering how to cheat. I was thinking about real pudding, maybe ice cream and hey, one of those little mini eclairs would probably fit in my tummy... I learned the lesson. For me, NO CARBS. I'm just not that strong.

[Nurse_Lenora 903]

Slacking on Water and protein.....it out me into a stall and once I got serious about both I started to lose again and haven't stopped!

[needtorecover 574]

Rushing my recovery and not respecting that I had major surgery. I kept reading about how having a lap band placed wasn't a big deal, that you're up and about the next day like nothing happened. I made all these plans to visit friends in Chicago, have another friend stay with us for 3 days, invited my cousin and his wife to visit... I was hanging out with my cousin the day after my surgery thinking everything was dandy. We were playing with my son and I was busy making drinks, serving Snacks, and showing him my recent home renovations. When he and his wife left I felt *horrible.* I got a fever and I had to lay down in bed. I couldn't get up or move the next day. I'd seriously over-did it. I was scared I'd gotten an infection and I stopped being so careless. Cancelled my other social plans and ended up sleeping through New Years Eve. But I had to recover.

For anyone considering a lap band: IT IS MAJOR SURGERY. Rest. Don't make plans during the first few weeks of recovery because between the healing and not being able to eat any real food, your energy will be very low.

[Gaylene Davison 43]

Going out with my staff for lunch soon after surgery and food got stuck. I thought a mouthful of Water would shift it! Oh dear, all it did was make me vomit all this slime that I tried to catch! It continued its way through my hands and down my clothes. Sooo embarrassing, but what a lesson.

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

"Treating" myself to a Protein drink with a generous dollop of Peanut Butter for Christmas brunch 2 weeks post op. I had my one and only dumping experience...it was a memorable Christmas!

It was the last time I used food as a reward "I've been so good, I can splurge" - that thought does not cross my mind these days.

Sent from my KFJWI using the BariatricPal App

[BigTink2LilTink 723]

Trying to cheat the process and eat beef way way before I was medically cleared to. Uncontrollable vomiting and a trip to the ER for Vitamin deficiency and dehydration taught me a valuable lesson on following the plan.

[reallyrosy 161]

These arent mistakes. They are normal "testing the waters" to see what really happens if ....u want to define yourself after surgery. I still havent touched any simple carbs...but would it be a mistake if i did? I dont think so. My surgery was 12/2011.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I bought way too much stuff prepping for surgery. I threw away a crap-ton of Protein powders, Soups, bars, drinks, crystal light, Popsicles, etc. that I thought I'd be able to eat but couldn't tolerate.

I was driving three days post op. Grocery shopping was not an issue on an as needed basis.