What was the biggest surprise for you at or after surgery? What do you wish you had known?

[travelergirl 142]

The post op contrast is a special Water soluble one...it was about 3 ounces and I recall that we finished without me finishing all of it. I thought the pre op stuff was nasty. This wasn't as bad.

I was surprised how uncomfortable I was as a passenger in the car even a week post op. I got a bit nauseated which is not my normal. It went away around week 3.



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[alcn1derlnd 146]

My surgery is still a week and a half away. I'm wondering how we can even drink that stuff the day after surgery. Did they have you drink as much then as they did pre-op?

No. At least I didn't. They had the pre op stuff set up in case the radiologist didn't like what he saw with the first drink. I didn't have to drink much of the first drink, but it was so nasty to me.


HW-292

SW- 256.6

CW-256.6

[Apple1 2,572]

I was surprised at how easy the surgery and recovery was for me. I thought because I was a little older (49) it would take longer.

[sunmeadow 82]

I was surprised at how easy the surgery and recovery was for me. I thought because I was a little older (49) it would take longer.

Eek! I'm 47 and thinking I was one of the young ones! I know what you mean though. Good to hear it went so well.

[gailkindo 25]

Good morning, I'm 52 and nervous. No surgery date yet. Very nervous, Apple 1 would you do it again

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[Eroberts26 16]

I had the leak test during surgery so no drinking that stuff. I randomly found the advice to bring a tummy pillow in the car for the seat belt, a great suggestion and closing a car door when out a few days later gave me the most scare I had done something bad. I would not have even thought of that! Gas you will deal with!

[Apple1 2,572]

1 hour ago, gailkindo said:

Good morning, I'm 52 and nervous. No surgery date yet. Very nervous, Apple 1 would you do it again

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Yes. I would most definitely do it again. My type 2 diabetes is in remission and I feel better than I have in the past 10 years😊

[gailkindo 25]

That's great. Thank you

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[Joann454 1,329]

Good morning, I'm 52 and nervous. No surgery date yet. Very nervous, Apple 1 would you do it again

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53 and sleeved 5/22. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Pros:

The whole thing was shockingly easy. The surgery was fast and almost painless. The recovery was easy.

2 years later I still barely have an appetite.

Lost weight without much effort.

Cons:

Everyone talks about addiction transfers and alcoholism and compulsive shopping. No one addresses identity, and body image issues post-op. Not nearly as much as they talk about alcoholism etc. I felt I was very unprepared for the emotional issues that come with massive weight loss.

[LittleM 10]

What I wish I would have known before my surgery? That it's not going to work for me. I could have saved my $3000 and spent it on something more useful.

[leiaD 62]

Pros:
The whole thing was shockingly easy. The surgery was fast and almost painless. The recovery was easy.
2 years later I still barely have an appetite.
Lost weight without much effort.
Cons:
Everyone talks about addiction transfers and alcoholism and compulsive shopping. No one addresses identity, and body image issues post-op. Not nearly as much as they talk about alcoholism etc. I felt I was very unprepared for the emotional issues that come with massive weight loss.

Can you elaborate? I had my surgery 6/19 and I'm already thinking about how horrible my body is going to look once I lose this weight. I feel like I traded weight loss for saggy skin and breast. Yes, I'm happy that I will be healthier but I'm 27 and don't want to have so many things that I have to pay to fix. It's a little disheartening to think after I've stabilize my weight loss and maintain it, that I have to pay for all this corrective cosmetic surgery and still have to struggle with the body issues and how I view myself. I feel I traded one body issue for a few others.

[sunmeadow 82]

Pros:
The whole thing was shockingly easy. The surgery was fast and almost painless. The recovery was easy.
2 years later I still barely have an appetite.
Lost weight without much effort.
Cons:
Everyone talks about addiction transfers and alcoholism and compulsive shopping. No one addresses identity, and body image issues post-op. Not nearly as much as they talk about alcoholism etc. I felt I was very unprepared for the emotional issues that come with massive weight loss.

I sought out a therapist a few months ago primarily so I would have support with the food issues, but since reading a bit more, I know that I'm likely going to need help with the identity/self-image stuff, especially since I think that had a lot to do with how I got so big to start with. Thanks for calling this out.

[sunmeadow 82]

What I wish I would have known before my surgery? That it's not going to work for me. I could have saved my $3000 and spent it on something more useful.

Do you know why it didn't work for you?

[MSinger 348]

The biggest thing that surprises me post surgery is my change in personality. I am more aware of how toxic some people in my life are and I am no longer tolerating or enabling their behavior. It was like a night and day switch. I don't know if it's a physical/hormonal change, or an emotional change, but right now I feel like I am fighting for me and have no patience for the poor behavior of others around me.