I just received my date of August 29 for my R n Y. Just wondering if any of you have any " what I wish I had known before surgery advice " ? Feel free to share even the smallest detail, ever little bit of advise will help me ! Thank you ! Also any other Aug 29th dates out there ?

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Give up addictions now. Don't go through recovery and withdrawal at the same time! Sugar, soda, caffeine, bread/starches, artificial anything. You will then be set to launch immediately into your new healthy lifestyle.

Your tastebuds might be wonky so don't stock up too much on foods/ liquids ahead of time. I couldn't stand certain things like diet gatorade and canned tomato soup and I stocked up. Bring a short sleeve robe with you to the hospital. Do buy some anti-constipation meds/suppositories and use them as preventative not after you have a rock poo that wants to stay put!

Don’t expect to feel full the way you are used to. Only eat the recommended portion and then stop. You should be satisfied or not hungry.

Dont count on dumping to keep you away from unhealthy foods, you might not dump.

Dont snack unless it is a part of your plan, snacking will sabotage your efforts.

Dont expect the weight to come off overnight, it didn’t go on that way. Weight loss isn’t a race.

Stalls happen

Dont compare yourself to others, we each have our own journey.

What you can and can’t eat may change from day to day

HTH

don't expect to drop 30+ lbs the first month. The average bariatric patient is NOT a "My 600 lb Life" subject. The vast majority of us are starting at a much lower BMI than those folks. There are a few of us "normal" weight loss patients who drop that much, but they're the exception. Most of us lose in the 15-25 lb range that first month. If you lose 15 or 16 or 18 lbs that first month, you are NOT failing!

Do NOT have a "last binge" on bad food. As tempting as it may sound, if you mark the end of your indulging ways with something you associate as positive instead of disgusting, it will mess up your mind. Drop all bad habits now if you already haven't. I'm almost 5 months post op and I still struggle with the "head hunger" and old habits.

Also, do not eat in front of TV or anything else distracting. Focus on your meals and eat very slowly as possible. I still struggle with this too.

Drink water like its going out of style and don't stop, ever.

When the cravings come, drink more water and then eat fruit or veggies until they go away.

Don't put off starting exercising if you're medically cleared to do so. It can start with simple walking and then get in a gym or buy a cardio exerciser. At some point, walking won't be enough to get you through stalls.

Do not miss your vitamins and start them before surgery. Find something that won't make you nauseous, that can be hard for some.

Find a protein drink you won't get sick of or try other ways of getting it into you. I hate the premixed drinks, I am good with almond milk mixed with powder proteins. There are some good ones out there that don't taste like metal.

Follow your healthcare providers plan to the letter, do not stray.

Don't get obsessed with weighing yourself, it can get frustrating.

Don't invest in a lot of new clothing soon after surgery. Hit up the consignment shops and goodwill if you have to.

Sometimes measuring your progress isn't only on the scale, it can also be in your belts, watchband and measurements. Keep that in mind during times you think you're "stalling"

Come to this board every day. You don't need to comment but you can just read and read forever and gain something from it. You'll find the same themes with everyone no matter what surgery you're having.

Good luck, you got this!

Adjust your mindset to a "Take No Prisoners" attitude and that you are gonna hit this thing out of the park!!!! Sure, there are tough moments/times--but they pass. Sure there may be pain...but if you adopt a take charge attitude and "geterdone" the time passes lightening fast and you heal better and quicker with fewer problems!

Also, the more hydrated you are with pure water (no crap in it), the easier your protein drinks will go down and the easier it will be to advance your diet. Stay hydrated!!!

Get that walking in!!!!

Agree with everything said. For me #1 was that I was going to have a journey that was unlike anyone else I'd read about. I obsessively watched WLS videos on youtube and expected to be like everyone else. What I learned:

1. Some people drop a ton of weight right away and I did NOT

2. A lot of people had dumping, foamies, food getting stuck and I did not at all

3. A lot of people have hair loss and I do not

4. Many people feel no hunger and I was fricken starving from day one

You really shouldnt have any expectations of what it'll be like because it could be total opposite for you. I told the nurse how paranoid I was about dehydration and as it turned out I drank my water just fine. Essentially, dont worry about what could happen, take it day by day.