Any advice before gastric sleeve. Anything you wish you had known

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I was told DO NOT stock up on my favorite Protein shakes because my tastes might change.

I didn't listen- then developed a strong intolerance to whey protein. Oops.

Still have a basket of Protein Shakes & powders in my kitchen that I cannot use! Bummer

HW - 283

SW- 238

CW- ?

I thought I knew how hard it would be emotionally but did not appreciate it. I had some tough days feeling sorry for myself but have come out the other side and feel great. Just keep your eye on the prize!

Also I was one of the ones that had a very hard time sipping. It was just so uncomfortable. Though it only lasted 3-4 days it felt like I'd never be able to enjoy a tall glass of Water again but no issues now!

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The people running the program where I went were very thorough. They didn't hit on anything, but there were no huge surprises. The one thing nobody told me, and I was probably just as glad in the end, was that the anesthesia can cause your bladder to not work properly. They had to catheterize me twice in the hospital. The second time was worse because I knew what was coming. But once the effects wore off, Little LittleBill went back to his usual functions. That happened within less than 24 hours out from surgery. Of course, you may hate me now for telling you this and giving you something to look forward to.

Overall, I did a lot of reading, asked a lot of questions, and everything has gone very smoothly for me. I hope you have a similar experience. Heck, I think I am one of the very few people on the board here who doesn't hate Protein shakes.

I wish I had know how easy surgery and recovery was going to be. And that I would feel so great with lots of energy after losing the first 20 lbs or so. @@LittleBill I like protein shakes too. Ha!

I felt very prepared for the surgery itself and everything physical and medical related. I think what I didn't give enough attention to prior to surgery was the emotional work that would be involved with weight loss and how deep it went. At the end of the day, the 140 pound version of me had the same emotional issues with food that the 278 pound version of me did. I wasn't expecting to have to do so much emotional work, but doing the work and putting in the effort has resulted in long-term success, so it's SO worth it!

I wish they would have told me my eyes will still be bigger than my stomach and even though I have this great tool with me, it is up to me to use it correctly. The surgery is not on my brain and it really is mind over matter.

I felt very prepared for the actual surgery. Between the support group meetings, meeting with the doctors, and reading books I knew what was to happen. And after surgery my nutritionist was my new best friend. She had me progress thru the stages at a slower rate then my doctor recommended but I am grateful for that because I didn't have any aversions or intolerances.

Oh and I liked the Protein shakes also!!

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I haven't been sleeved yet but I had the lap band before and I think the major thing is that you have to deal with others your emotional connection with food asap. Use the first few months while everything is still super tight and constraining to figure out your relationship with food and what your triggers are and manage it actively.

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The 1st 6 weeks are pretty rough both emotionally and physically (I had VGS, gallbladder removal and hernia repair). I want to make sure folks know that, in general, this will be the worst period of time and then your world (and options) will expand again.

That was the worst part for me, those 6 weeks of disabled life, eating, etc. I had a really rough time but then it all blew over like a summer rain cloud.

Getting past the liquid diet was the worse part to me. I still think I would puke if I took another drink of protein. This is something that I still need to get past as I am only 5 weeks post op. Good Luck on your adventure. :-)