What do you wish you had been told before surgery & after surgery?

[GaGirlGettingHealthy 95]

I am scheduled for surgery March 1st. Excited but really trying to understand what life is like as you prepare for surgery but also what is it like when everyone else is eating their normal meals after surgery. Any advice of any kind is appreciated. I am very excited to have the gastric sleeve surgery but I also over prepare and over analyze everything so I would love all of the knowledge you are willing to share. Thanks in advance!

Edited January 31, 2021 by Lane McCormack

[Deemar007 244]

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. The one thing that was never mentioned was you can get gout during the fasting before surgery, and also after. I'd say that was worse than any pain I'd ever had.

After surgery, food tasted terrible. So for me, I could care less what other people were eating. The surgery also disrupts your hunger hormone. So, people that I know that had the surgery, just were not hungry.

Constpation was a problem for me, but it settled after a few months.

I wish you the very best on you upcoming surgery and for a smooth transition after.

[Neensyb 111]

Before surgery:
- after day 2 or 3 it will become MUCH easier
- watch the Constipation
- start taking your Multi Vitamins
- you might suffer mood swings with sudden changes to sugar and caffeine levels

After surgery:
- TRUST the process
- get some anti constipation meds, coloxyl, movicol etc as a precaution if needed
- that damnes gas pain hurts like hell. Walk walk walk....and fart.< br>- oh, don't trust that farts will be dry....
- Water may not sit well on its own in your belly, try half water and half apple juice
- Don't cheat , you will pay dearly for it... trust me
- sleep may be disturbed for the first week, catch cat naps when you can
- Don't rush anything, you will hurt in your belly or become exhausted quickly
- get some scar minimising cream it works wonders
- you may wake up one morning and believe you are back to 100%. Stay on course as per your surgeons advice.

[GaGirlGettingHealthy 95]

Oh such great advice....thank you both for taking time!!!

[catwoman7 10,864]

3 hours ago, Lane McCormack said:

I am scheduled for surgery March 1st. Excited but really trying to understand what life is like as you prepare for surgery but also what is it like when everyone else is eating their normal meals after surgery. Any advice of any kind is appreciated. I am very excited to have the gastric sleeve surgery but I also over prepare and over analyze everything so I would love all of the knowledge you are willing to share. Thanks in advance!

I really only felt conspicuous the first three months or so (and you're in luck - we're in a pandemic, so not many people are meeting up for meals ANYWAY -- so it's likely to be just your family). After that, I could usually find something on any given menu that I could eat, and I'd usually order something like Soup, chili, or an appetizer. If anyone said anything, I'd just say I wasn't that hungry. Although I have skinny friends who usually eat like that, so I rarely was asked.

at this point, and really for the last three years, I eat pretty much like my never-been-obese women friends who are watching their calories. Sometimes if I'm not particularly hungry I'll still order something like soup or an appetizer - otherwise I'll order a "safe" entree and eat half of it. I'll take the other half to go and eat it the next day.

if you're talking about meals with your family, that never bothered me. It's just me and my husband at my house. He ate his thing and I ate mine. After the first few weeks or so, we'd eat the same thing - but he'd eat more of it, of course - and I'd also give him something like a potato or rice with his.

Edited February 1, 2021 by catwoman7

[kristieshannon 1,544]

I wish someone would have told me the things I was so worried about wouldn’t be such a big deal! I was so worried about giving up my Coke Zero addiction, and it’s been a complete non-issue. I was also very worried about loose skin. I took care of that via plastic surgery and feel great.

[Sunshine0331 30]

Some helpful hints. You will be INCREDIBLY thirsty/ dehydrated post - surgery. Bring Biotene toothpaste and mouth wash. Swish as much Water as you can as soon as you can reach a sink. You may not be able to swallow fluids just yet. And your mouth will THANK you! You can get at Amazon/ Walmart/ Target.

BariWise chicken Bouillon- lifesaver - Amazon. Clear Liquid- it tastes good and has 15g of Protein. Amazon - Amazing.

****PILL GRINDER (not cutter) - looks like pepper grinder to actually GRIND your pills so much easier to swallow! - Amazon.

Ask the hospital for the 30 cc cups - they’re 1 ounces and you can pour your Protein Shake and liquid clears to keep measurements . **** DO NOT be afraid to ask for pain medication (this was a mistake I made). I acted tough. Ask ask ask for nausea meds - lifesaver. No vomiting.

Women - plan on wearing a sports bra that doesn’t touch your top incision and cotton underwear that does not touch your bottom incision. Wear a loose cotton dress to go home in and for recovery. Amazon has a lot of different ones (with pockets). You can lounge in them. Walk around the neighborhood and go out with nice sandals/slip on shoes or flip flops. Amazon also has long roomy comfy sleep shirts - great for lounging and letting your incisions breathe.

BariWise hot chocolate- 15grams of protein and considered a clear. Add sugar free Syrup ( can get a bottle at Home goods for under $5) for a treat. Cinnamon sticks and peppermint tea help with nausea. Throw a cinnamon stick in your Decaf hot tea of choice (or hot chocolate). Take a small walk when comfortable even if it’s just around the house when you are waiting the 30 minutes before or after your protein. If you have a gentle dog - take them for a walk (although the first few days I couldn’t because of the bending to pick up poop). My neighbor offered to walk the dog for a few days. Enlist help - people like to help. I was sent home with liquid pain med - keep on schedule and Prilosec capsules. I was instructed to open up. Toss the beads back and follow with chaser - amazing - helped with stomach pain.

Also sent home with anti- nausea under tongue melts - AMAZING. If you have headaches/ menstrual cramps - I recommend Hylands brand / melts under tongue (Amazon). Hope this helps! Wish me a great recovery! Best, Christina