Top 45 Things I've Learned- 5 Months Post Op

[Prissy 8]

Thank you so much for the enlightening us on some great tips! That was something I really needed to read! I've been feeling alone with the whole process, even though I have been on this site everyday, it's so hard when you realize your the only one out of your family doing this. I am only 8 days post op and I keep going back and fourth with my emotions. At first I was so upset with myself and was telling myself, "I messed up!" It is getting easier with every passing day but it still plays with my emotions a bit! So THANK YOU for all the knowledge and insight! ????

[Nimm 31]

loved loved loved this!

[xlr8ahead 40]

How long is it before the hair starts to grow back.

[CelticHarpist 26]

Loved this post! Only two months out myself, but looking forward to the smaller sizes. You look fantastic! So glad you shared the pics with us, too.

I would add: Expect to quietly burp a lot. At least I certainly do.

Esp loved the laser tag pic. Tag you're it!

[SleeveandRNYchica 1,155]

You look great and thanks for sharing your list.

[Sherry77 166]

I love these kinds of posts. Upbeat and positive :-)

[Livinglifeout 217]

Laci I just loved this list, great insight. You really shared a lot that will help those of us still in the beginning stages. You are looking great:)

[steelergirl 135]

First let me say I feel fabulous! I've lost over 70 pounds in just over 5 months. I went from a 22 to a very comfy 12. The road has not been easy and for all you newbies...here is my list of amazing highs...and of not so sunshiny lows.

Disclaimer: This is my experience...it may not be yours.

[*]It will be uncomfortable for a few days post op

[*]I was not hungry for weeks after surgery

[*]I was scared to eat or drink and I didn’t drink enough...thus Constipation and weakness

[*]I didn't feel normal for about 6 weeks. I needed naps and I took them

[*]The weight literally falls off...seriously I was looking for pools of fat in bed when I woke up in the morning

[*]I hit the 4 week stall and it lasted two weeks. Expect it and don't stress

[*]On day three' date=' I had a massive freak out…seriously threw a four year old fit…pissed off my stomach was gone.

[*']No one noticed for months and that irritated me.

[*]EVERYONE notices now and it's all they want to talk about.

[*]Don’t tell anyone you are going to Mexico to have your stomach cut off unless you trust them completely.

[*]I threw up alot...just slime mostly...while I was learning my new tummy. It will scare you and if you are like me…it will happen a lot when you transition to solid foods.

[*]food addiction does not magically go away...if you have a problem before..you will still have it. I think about food all the time, but I finally have a way to resist it. I am a sugar addict. I never crave carbs, but I crave sugar like a mad woman.

[*]Going out to dinner is awkward. I hate watching people eat

[*]Put the lotion on the skin! My skin got really dry.

[*]I’ve lost half my hair at 4.5 months post op. Mine came out in chunks. Freaked me out! Our Golden Retriever and I are in a competition for shedding. It will be ok. Take your Vitamins and buy Nioxin. It doesn’t help my Hair loss, but I feel like I am at least doing something about it.

[*]Don’t take a powerful laxative when you are constipated…especially before your child’s school performance. It may say “See results in 2-4 hours” but it means 30 mins and then you’re stuck on a mini toilet with both legs numb, crying to everything holy to save you.

[*]Shopping is amazing! I still feel like people are looking at me like I don’t belong there…but that’s all in my head.

[*]My shoes no longer fit. they are too wide now!

[*]Your pre WLS Spanx will look huge in a couple months

[*]Trust me…put some Granola bars in your glove box and a few packs of mixed nuts. Sometimes your hungry and there is nothing that you can eat.

[*]Handy meals from the market or gas station when you didn’t plan ahead. Single string cheese, an apple, mixed nuts, readymade hard boiled eggs, The inside of California rolls- no rice, campbells Soup at hand or ready made Soup in a coffee cup.

[*]Handy items at fast food places that sit ok on my tummy include: Taco Bells refried Beans or the inside of a chicken taco. Wendys chili, McDonalds oatmeal, McDonalds yogurt parfait

[*]I feel guilty in front of my heavier friends. I always try to wear a sweatshirt so I don’t rub the weight loss in their faces.

[*]You get drunk really fast...like a half glass of wine. Be careful...it sneaks up on you...and before you know it, you’re waiting for your hubby to pick you up...from less than a glass. Its crazy. I don't really even try anymore to drink.

[*]I crave raw fish, cooked fish, broiled fish, grilled fish...any fish really and it feels amazing on my tummy.

[*]I cant eat steak

[*]I love that I have collar bones

[*]I update my Facebook pictures and secretly love the compliments

[*]I own a woman's North Face now

[*]I can buy bras at Victoria's secret

[*]I pack all my food for work in snack bags and the little tupperware containers for salad dressing.

[*]I can still have M&M's...its just like 9...instead of the king size bags

[*]Take heartburn medicine everyday...don’t wait until you get heartburn.

[*]Buy stock in Maalox

[*]You can have a full meal at Costco- samples + WLS = Cheap Date!

[*]Food Portion jokes get really old

[*]Fast food burgers makes me want to vomit.

[*]At 5 months...salad is wonderful. I can eat about a cup of greens...which takes me a while and I feel a tiny bit normal.

[*]Post-op, If you can swing it, buy a Vita-Mix blender and make your own soup. Canned soup was nasty right after surgery. Freeze them in 4oz canning jars. It will be two servings.

[*]Quit Smoking before surgery. I waited and it slowed my healing. It also gave me terrible heartburn. I am 5 weeks smoke free

[*]You don't have to "confess" you had WLS. It's ok to say thank you for the compliment and not feel guilty. I'm just now starting to accept that I had a little something to do with this insane loss. I tell people when they ask now how I lost the weight, that i exercise and use Portion Control.< /p>

[*]People will treat you different. Salesladies ask if I need assistance, men hold open doors and the skinny girls at work talk to me now. It's shallow and pisses me off, but it's nice to not be invisible anymore.

[*]WLS is very difficult. For me, it’s not physical, but the mental. Sometimes I just want a cheesecake like before. It goes away very quickly, but it still comes and goes. Sometimes I get angry at my sleeve because I can’t eat something I see others eating. Most of the time I have to hide my expression when I see people shovel food in the way I used to. It’s shocking to see when you’re on the other side of WLS. I used to inhale my food like a tiny food thief was going to come in and take it away from me.

[*]You will have to say no to your family when they all want to go to a Chinese buffet. I’m still not ready to walk in and be near a buffet.

[*]It feels awesome to give your clothes away, however, do not offer them to your heavier friends. It’s insensitive and they won’t return your calls for a week.

[*]Last one...I played laser tag this past weekend with a bunch of 9 year old boys. It was soooo Much fun!!!

Please feel free to add any other thoughts or tips...

Good

[elizabeth12677 6]

Do you still eat sugar based foods like Cookies? I am 9 months out, down 95 pounds!

[Bos123 221]

Awesome

Post! How are you doing now?

[healthy2013 10]

Thanks for sharing. At 3 weeks post-op now - just read this again and can now relate to some of this.

[heavensray 18]

I'm 5 days pre-op and grateful for your post.... I saved it as a memo so that I have great tips and possible expectations for the next 5-6 months. Thank you so much for sharing these personal details to help us get through some of the tough moments!!!

[JeffA70 200]

Fantastic post! Totally agree with nearly all of them.