So, here are a few things I wish I had known before I had my surgery (I was sleeved 5/23/16):

The gas...oh my goodness, the gas. It hurts, it stinks, and sometimes you can't trust a fart. Lovely.

Surgery doesn't make it easier to lose weight. It actually makes it more complicated! Protein, carbs, sugar, fat...It's all scientific now. If I don't get my protein, I hold Fluid and don't lose weight. If I eat sugar, I don't lose weight. If I don't get all my Water for the day, I feel hungry, tired, and--you guessed it--I don't lose weight. I even landed in the ER getting 4 bags of fluid and a CT scan to check for complications. And my insurance got a bill for $7,000. After the one they got for $29,000 just a month previous...more on that later...

Mood swings from hell will descend upon you, and you will be powerless over it at first. Now, I am learning that I tend to cry right before a stall breaks. Fat stores hormones that have to go somewhere when the fat goes...extra PMS? Yes, please! NOT. Yes ladies, your period may go completely haywire for a while. FUN...

Speaking of stalls...the weight won't always come off in a predictable pattern. It may not come off as fast as you want it to. If you stick to your plan, you will lose weight, but along the way you will stall. You may not lose anything for a while, even though you're doing everything right. You will get concerned, you may think the surgery isn't working, but if you stick to your plan the weight will come off. On it's own schedule, though, not yours. The human body is incredibly complex and very good at learning how to NOT starve. Some people believe in starvation mode, some don't, but don't test it. You don't want to get sick and malnourished. You may need to exercise more and log your food to make sure you haven't slipped up, but the stall will break. Eventually...

You will become acutely aware that people who know you had the surgery are watching you. Watching what you eat, when you eat it, and how much of it you eat. Watching to see if you lose weight, and if you don't lose weight FAST, everybody has an opinion about whether or not you should have had the surgery and if it will work, and you may hear horror stories about somebody's friend/sister/brother/cousin/coworker who had the surgery and gained all the weight back. Or never lost it at all. Stick to your plan, and remember why you made the decision to have surgery. Be ready to avoid toxic people as necessary. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. So be careful who you tell. If you are married, consider your spouse's feelings. Talk about it. You will need them on your side if at all possible. If they aren't, it could be problematic. Be ready to have hard conversations and make decisions based on those conversations. You may learn things about your relationship that you never knew, which can be good or bad.

You will have regrets. Mostly in the beginning, but be ready to wonder what in the hell you were thinking when you had this surgery. It's hard! There is an overwhelming temptation to believe that this was supposed to be easier. It's not. It's effective, but it's a lot of work and it takes a lot of self-discipline.

People may judge you and say that you took "the easy way out". See the previous paragraph. And then see the second paragraph. You may have to educate a few people. Or tell them to get lost, your choice.

If you didn't already know it, you may find out that you have a serious problem with food. Get that fixed, and do it before you waste a lot of time and heartache. Go to therapy. The surgery will NOT fix your brain. I cannot stress this enough! You will find out that food is the glue that holds our lives together. We Celebrate with it, we mourn with it, we reward ourselves with it, and sometimes our social lives revolve around it. All of that has to change. Food is fuel. Period. You will not enjoy eating out for a while, if ever. The portions are RIDICULOUS, and most of it is nothing you should be eating anyway. "I'll just have a small salad..." No, you won't, not for a while. You won't be able to eat raw vegetables for a long time, and never before your doctor clears it. It's the last step. And it may be never for certain foods. BECAUSE...

Your taste will change. What your stomach can tolerate will (obviously) change for a long time, and maybe forever in some aspects. You may hate what you once loved and love what you once hated. Go with it. And get over your addiction to caffeine, because that has to go, too. Not forever, but your surgeon will have an opinion about when it's okay again.

If you smoke, a reputable surgeon will not do weight loss surgery on you. They will most likely test you for nicotine, so don't cheat, just quit. You won't heal as well and it's just plain bad for you.

You will have no vices for a long time. Because...you can't drink alcohol either! Not for a LONG time. Just look that one up, because I quit drinking a long time ago and I don't even care about this part. Except: you may trade old addictions for new ones. You may need therapy to fix this. If food was a coping mechanism for you, you had better have a plan for new coping skills. BECAUSE...

This is stressful as hell, if you hadn't figured that out. You hair may come out. Be ready. Biotin is rumored to help, but it isn't a sure thing.

You will need to take Vitamins for the rest of your life. Don't be cheap and skimp on this one. You need bariatric vitamins. Deficiencies can set you back in significant ways. It's not worth it. Take your vitamins.

Now. If you're still reading this, you may think I am one hell of a "Negative Nelly". Nope! I am a realist. You should be scared. You should think long and hard before you have weight loss surgery. If you even qualify for surgery, you've cleared a significant obstacle. If your insurance covers it, that's another significant obstacle out of the way. Soooo...If you have a surgeon willing to do it, and you can get insurance to pay for it (or if you can make it happen as self-pay) DO IT. If you still want to have weight loss surgery despite knowing how much it can suck, then you will probably do well. BECAUSE...

IT'S WORTH IT. All of it.

@@dnlnext

I am 4 years out from sleeve surgery. Had a great surgical team, but moved cross country to a very small remote town. I was on my own and relied a lot on this site. You can do it, but it takes a LOT of willpower and being self-sufficient.

We have moved back again, and I am seeing a Bariatric doctor again this week. My primary doctor always ran my Bariatric labs and they were good. It was difficult but you can do it. PM me with any questions or concerns.

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I meant to add that I lost 125# and made it to my goal weight. You can do this.

If you are struggling, a good therapist will help you.

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I don't doubt anything you've said, but I have to say my experience couldn't have been any more different.

I felt like I was on a fairly strict diet for 6 weeks before surgery, but it was easy because I stopped drinking alcohol.

After surgery, I had no pain, no side effects, and no hunger. I followed the 30 day post opt diet to a T and by 6 weeks out, I eased back to a normal life, just ate less.

Oh yeah, never had a second thought, mood swing, or anything but joy over the new me!

The only thing I wish I'd known was how easy it would all be. I would have done it 20 years ago!

Edited July 31, 201610 yr by Cape Crooner

I don't doubt anything you've said, but I have to say my experience couldn't have been any more different.

I felt like I was on a fairly strict diet for 6 weeks before surgery, but it was easy because I stopped drinking alcohol.

After surgery, I had no pain, no side effects, and no hunger. I followed the 30 day post opt diet to a T and by 6 weeks out, I eased back to a normal life, just ate less.

Oh yeah, never had a second thought, mood swing, or anything but joy over the new me!

The only thing I wish I'd known was how easy it would all be. I would have done it 20 years ago!

I am really glad you had a great experience. But yours is the experience I had been led to believe that I would have, and when it was nothing like that, I have to admit that it hit me pretty hard. I am definitely doing much better now, but I felt really mislead because I wasn't warned of other difficult circumstances that might arise as a result of the surgery. I certainly don't think that my experience is the "gold standard", but I really don't want pre-ops to assume that everything is going to be ideal. I wish everyone could have a recovery without difficulties, but it's just not going to work that way for some. Thanks for your comment; it's inspiring! I hope the rest of your journey is great, too!

I was told to read a book by the psychologist that did warn me to expect the kind of issues you encountered, they just never happened to me.

That's awesome. It's good to share your good experience as well, so that people are aware that it may not suck as much as it possibly can, LOL! I wish I had come here before my surgery...I would have had so much more wisdom when I needed it most. I really enjoy the vast variety of information here.

@@catlady

Big thank you!

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@,

Thanks for this list! It is always so helpful to new upcoming WLS patients to find out what others wish they had known so they can prepare for their own surgeries.

You have some great observations here! I think one of the hardest things to deal with is the fact that sometimes food is not the problem – so you need to think about what role food plays in your life, and what your other problems are, so you can be sure that WLS

It’s also a good warning about food and pleasure. Sometimes after WLS, the pleasure of eating just disappears. You’re no longer interested in food, and it’s not an easy thing to handle. One of the greatest pleasures of your life is just gone, even though it was also one of the greatest problems in your life, and really does leave a hole. I think it’s worth thinking about before WLS: how will you fill the gaps that are left when you take away food?

Thanks for bringing up the “people” factor. You may think people watch you closely when you’re overweight before WLS, but that’s nothing compared to the microscope you’ll be under after WLS! For some reason, way too many people think that you getting WLS gives them the right to comment on all of your actions and your weight loss, and to tell you what they think you should do, even if they have never ever even found out the first thing about WLS and the WLS diet.

Even if people are courteous enough to keep their comments to themselves, you’re right – you’ll still be aware that they’re watching every bite you take and scrutinizing you for any signs of weight lost or regained.

Thank you for all of these great points. I don’t think you are negative at all! I think your experience is very typical, and being prepared for these things can help future WLS be successful.

@@Alex Brecher Thank you so much for your response!

Thank you so much Connie. I am glad I found this site too. I have learned so much. A few days ago I figured out by mistake, that clicking on a name I can read all their previous posts. I have spent the last few days reading all the posts of some of our very awesome vets...I still have a long way in my journey as I am just starting, but thank you everyone for taking the time to share a little knowledge and show some kindness!!!

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I can so relate to everything you say & are feeling ... Best of luck to you all !!

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Thanks for sharing your story, you're so right. I had my surgery last Thursday and I regretted it the moment I woke up from surgery, the pain was excruciating and I thought I was gonna die. It has gotten so much better throughout the days but I do wonder when will it go away.

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@@Ale Nunez so sorry you have had a painful experience. It just takes time, and you will be feeling better soon. I know that sounds lame, but it really is true. Keep posting and let us know how it's going for you.

Everyone is different. Believe me I miss food so much. I play tricks on myself. Sunday dinners I keep myself busy and sit down and eat when people are almost done. Alcohol is not a problem. I don't drink as much as I did but I still go out and have a good time. The smoking I quit but sometimes I have just a puff or two. It is all in your mind. I still sometimes think what the hell did I do to myself when I am craving a hamburger or deli sandwich and know if I eat the bread I will throw up. It bugs you in the beginning but when you go from a size 20 to 12 and feel 20 years younger than it is worth it.

Everyone is different. Believe me I miss food so much. I play tricks on myself. Sunday dinners I keep myself busy and sit down and eat when people are almost done. Alcohol is not a problem. I don't drink as much as I did but I still go out and have a good time. The smoking I quit but sometimes I have just a puff or two. It is all in your mind. I still sometimes think what the hell did I do to myself when I am craving a hamburger or deli sandwich and know if I eat the bread I will throw up. It bugs you in the beginning but when you go from a size 20 to 12 and feel 20 years younger than it is worth it.

Hi Neeser - when did you have the surgery? And why are you unable to eat bread? I'm just learning about everything right now. Thanks!

Everyone is different. Believe me I miss food so much. I play tricks on myself. Sunday dinners I keep myself busy and sit down and eat when people are almost done. Alcohol is not a problem. I don't drink as much as I did but I still go out and have a good time. The smoking I quit but sometimes I have just a puff or two. It is all in your mind. I still sometimes think what the hell did I do to myself when I am craving a hamburger or deli sandwich and know if I eat the bread I will throw up. It bugs you in the beginning but when you go from a size 20 to 12 and feel 20 years younger than it is worth it.

Hi Neeser - when did you have the surgery? And why are you unable to eat bread? I'm just learning about everything right now. Thanks!