I haven't had my surgery yet (canceled from May, rescheduled July) but the more I read here, the more unprepared I feel. I've had a meeting with the psychologist, 4 nutrition meetings, and 1 meeting with the surgeon, who described the surgery and "what to expect." That was basically an outline of what they do surgically and the diet I need to follow post-surgery. Reading here, I had no idea of how challenging the post-surgery experience can be. It never dawned on me that my insides will be so swollen that I could actually struggle to be able to swallow a sip of water, or that my taste perception might change. No discussion of what to expect for pain, or healing time, challenges with following the diet, bowel changes, etc. No discussion on what NOT to eat and why. Maybe I expect too much, but it would make more sense to me if they explained what's happening internally during those first few weeks and why it's important to NOT eat anything solid; who knew something could get caught in the staple line and become an irritant/infection? I kind-of feel like I agreed to this surgery almost blindly. I think I have learned a LOT more from reading these boards and learning about what people have really experienced, than I learned from what my doctor told me. Anyone else feel like they weren't really prepared for the post-surgical experience?

I dearly love my surgeon. He explained everything, the booklet explained it, but the actual AFTER surgery was an experience I do not ever want to repeat! I had to have a hernia repaired (The prior swallow test showed a small-medium hernia); after he got in, it was larger -so he had to repair it first. This caused me to be under anesthesia longer, which contributed to my distress afterwards. After I was wheeled to post-op, I woke up retching, and of course, there is nothing to throw up...This caused pain thru my abdomen, pulling on my incisions. I was then taken to my room and put in a bed, still retching... My surgeon came in, bless his heart, and I let him have it--- I told him I was not happy, he apologized & left. He knew it was the anesthesia after-effects, cuz he came back later after I had a Zofran shot/apin meds, & I felt more civil. The worse part was going to the bathroom for the first time. You have to be unhooked from the inflated boots, monitors, etc.. so you walk 5 ft to toilet. After eating ice chips, it went straight to my bladder. I was going every hour and a half, so I got to be a pro... The next day I practically 'dashed' down the hall when I was told I had to walk. I hated every second of it, but knowing I was going home gave me strength to do it....that was June 8th. I got home & my feelings changed. I think that that little feeling of 'regret' I had after waking up disappeared after I got home. I went back to work part-time a week later. I should have gone in for 2 hours or less, & I regretted it. One of my nursing staff had to help me to my car as my strength gave out quickly. That is the only complaint I have now--even with 58-68 grams of Protein and 64+ ounces of water/liquids--I have NO energy.. I will address this with him on 7/22/16. Maybe I had a 'mediocre' experience--I have read some real horror stories on this site, so I was some-what prepared & went in with my eyes wide open...

First of all everyone's body is different and everyone will react differently. If you want a "real" education these boards provide a good one. You may also want to check out "Clusie" and "K-Star" on you tube. Long story short though you should follow your doctors orders. Most of what they tell you is for good reason. If they took the time to explain "everything" you would potentially need 4 years of Med school and residency. Just educate yourself on how to deal with side effects, follow doctors orders and you'll be fine.

• ccflotron34 2 days with no Protein does sound awfully hard -- but you're almost there now! After surgery I find I kind of don't care about food. My family keeps apologizing for eating normal food in front of me, but it doesn't bother me. I do miss coffee when I smell it, but that's about it. And eventually we will be able to enjoy food again!

I was not prepared. I'd don't countless hours of research but the doctor made it seem minor.... it was not.

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I was not prepared but talking to a friend who had a gastric bypass helped a great deal - I only found this site post surgery - I wish I knew about this site pre-op - so keep reading

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