Hi everyone! What do you wish someone had told you about before you had surgery that you didn't learn until after?

I would say being in the 50 percent range is still great.

@sweetsmith78 I offered my feedback to the question posed by this thread. My perspective is as a person having had the sleeve for 6 years.

You are free to take it or leave it, but others might value the input of those of us having much more experience in this. ?‍♀️

On 6/26/2020 at 1:33 AM, Michael S said:

The hidden hospital charges afterward....

??

I wish I would have been told about: (1) the post-op nausea and constipation, (2) how sore my throat and esophagus would be, (3) how I would not progress to pureed foods as soon as others, (4) how my liquid intake should be 4 ounces, slipped remarkably slowly, (5) how I could not possibly down 64 ounces of water and protein right away, even when sipping at 4 ounce increments throughout the day, and (5) how I should have initially purchased liquid vitamins and patches rather than chewable ones, because I could not swallow them.

How about a positive answer? I wish I had known how much fun being a normal weight would be!?

Or that I can finally look good in clothes!

Edited June 30, 20206 yr by JRT Mom

On 6/28/2020 at 8:24 PM, Erica McKinley said:

5) how I could not possibly down 64 ounces of Water and Protein right away, even when sipping at 4 ounce increments throughout the day, and (5) how I should have initially purchased liquid vitamins and Patches rather than chewable ones, because I could not swallow them.

I agree with these for sure. I wish I would have purchased liquid vitamins.

On 6/30/2020 at 9:55 AM, JRT Mom said:

I wish I had known how much fun being a normal weight would be!?

Yessss! I love this positive answer and I totally second it.

I just had my surgery 6/30/2020. First 2 days were tough but since everything has been textbook.

The one thing I wish I knew ahead of time was how easily I would get tired. I understand this is normal but I expected to regain my normal energy pretty quickly. I had to tell myself today to just relax and enjoy the afternoon naps.

30 minutes ago, MSStoney said:

I just had my surgery 6/30/2020. First 2 days were tough but since everything has been textbook.

The one thing I wish I knew ahead of time was how easily I would get tired. I understand this is normal but I expected to regain my normal energy pretty quickly. I had to tell myself today to just relax and enjoy the afternoon naps.

My surgery was 6/29. Naps are good!

I wished I would have known about the exhaustion. I liken this experience to the first trimester of pregnancy. No energy, sleep a lot, the smell of food can make you nauseated. I have weird food cravings too... Like collard greens. I always liked collard greens but for some strange reason, I love them now.

Thank you, everyone, for your honest responses. I am considering gastric bypass and know it is a big life decision. Is there a best place to post questions about the mental/emotional piece?

Speaking as someone who had to go off their BiPolar meds in order to get surgery, idk if there is a group here or not, but feel free to message me if you have questions.

I wish I would have known how much of a thing body dysmorphia is. When I was 334 pounds I knew how big I was and considered myself gross and unattractive. Now that I'm smaller, I still see myself as that 334 pound woman even though others tell me how great I look now. I just don't see it and it's truly a thing that is totally messing with my head. I wonder when I get to goal if I will still see myself as morbidly obese or truly see what others see.

2 hours ago, Ninabeena said:

I wish I would have known how much of a thing body dysmorphia is. When I was 334 pounds I knew how big I was and considered myself gross and unattractive. Now that I'm smaller, I still see myself as that 334 pound woman even though others tell me how great I look now. I just don't see it and it's truly a thing that is totally messing with my head. I wonder when I get to goal if I will still see myself as morbidly obese or truly see what others see.

Yes, I felt like a big fat slob even after getting to goal. What helped me (but will be difficult in pandemic times) was trying on clothes and asking the salesperson for their opinion. I started to see myself as thin when I was trying on a jacket and the salesperson said, "You really need a six, you're kind of narrow."

Never before in my life had someone described me as narrow.

I did because I am a firm believer that when you are a patient in the hospital you need to ask questions and also never suffer unnecessary pain or discomfort if you don't have to. After surgery I did feel a lot of discomfort from gas that I could not release and nausea. I was given some over the counter stuff. I immediately got up and started walking to release gas but nothing but a small burp here and there. I kept walking every hour and nothing again. So, I asked the nurse to please call the doctor and see if there was anyway he could send me something else to help with the discomfort and nausea. I did have to have a debate with the nurse about it because she kept insisting that is what the doctor recommends and he gives all patients the same. I had to tell her nicely that I understood all that but that was not what I was asking her. I already knew what he had sent me and it wasn't working to well and if that is what he gives all patients then fine but I still want her to ask in case he can give me something stronger.You have to really be careful in the hospital because they are not feeling the discomfort and some don't want to go the extra mile. Guess what? TARA! Omg, whatever they gave me stopped not only the nausea asap but also relieved so much pressure. I was home free 2 and a half hours after surgery. I was in heaven! So, don't settle if you don't have to do so.