What are the things you wish you knew before surgery that would have made after surgery easier?

[morphinmom 6]

Hello! This is my first post since becoming a member. I am going to be sleeved on the 17th of this month by Dr. Snyder in Denver. Needless to say, I am super nervous but know that this is the best option for me. What are some things you wish you knew before surgery that would have made the experience after surgery easier (recommendations, items on hand, suprises in the process, etc.)? Thank you!

[Beach Lover 1,084]

The best thing you can do is stay on this forum and read! My surgery was so easy because of the information I learned here. The hardest thing I had to deal with was the head hunger after surgery. It seemed like food assaulted me at every turn. This does get easier after a few melt downs, tears, and picking fights with people and then realizing it is your head hunger. You will also find that it is very very important to get liquids in. It is so easy to get dehydrated and many have ended up in the ER for fluids. If you find yourself fuzzy headed, dizzy, dark urine, cramping, dry mouth then you are dehydrated and need to get a G2 or a Smart Water with electrolytes. When you go to the hospital wear very loose fitting close (you can wear them home). Bring Gas X strips, toiletries, and that's it. You will wear a hospital gown the whole time and when you walk use another one for a house coat. They will give you sock with grips on the bottom. You might bring a favorite pillow. When you are in pre op with your nurse tell her you want a private room. This is when they assign you your room. When you are post op tell the floor nurse you want the flavored sponges to hydrate your lips and mouth. These were a lifesaver to me! During your recovery you might find yourself doing really well for a few days then exhaustion may kick in. This is your body healing and it takes several weeks for this to go away. Get plenty of rest! You will do fantastic!

[gamergirl 4,610]

I agree with beach lover. I read a LOT here and I still have questions I keep asking. It is a bit...a

Frustrating...when people complain about an after effect of the surgery that makes them wish they hadn't had the surgery--when a little reading would have shown them that it happens. So I'd recommend you use the time to educate yourself well on the good, the bad, and the ugly on the surgery.

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Something I knew but seemed to forget in the first few weeks after surgery is that the excess weight wouldn't be gone overnight (took years to get here) and that weight loss isn't necessary constant - it stops and starts. Once I relaxed and remembered those things, sticking to the program got manageable....

Good luck, if u are asking this question, u r doing ur prep - and that's half the battle :-))))

[erp 2,016]

Beach Lover is right except the private room piece may not be possible depending on your insurance. Only suprise I had was not being able to get in and out of bed on my own when I first got home. Should have gotten a little step by the bedside so I could have. Good luck and see you on the loser's bench!

[Beach Lover 1,084]

Beach Lover is right except the private room piece may not be possible depending on your insurance. Only suprise I had was not being able to get in and out of bed on my own when I first got home. Should have gotten a little step by the bedside so I could have. Good luck and see you on the loser's bench!

True true so check your insurance and if it possible that is the time to ask.

[nurseinSD 3]

Depending on what kind of work you do, don't push your self to hard to do back to work. I only took 12 days off and went back and was dehydrated and in terrible pain by the end of the work week. I am a nurse at a busy clinic. And I found out after going back to work that your not suppose to take NSAIDS after this type of surgery (risk of ulcers) so there is really nothing you can take for pain while working except Tylenol and that does nothing for me. That's my two cents worth. I don't regret the surgery one bit. Good luck on your journey.

[morphinmom 6]

Thank you so much for the advice so far. I really appreciate it. I have done alot of research, but sometimes those little things that you didn't know get ya so what better people to ask then you all! I am sure to keep up with this forum from this point forward.

[Chittick24 52]

I'm 3.5 years post op and still love this site. The site is like a therapist, moral coach, true peers, etc. you can get a lot from it. I suggest getting on her everyday.

If could share some knowledge it would be:

Don't stress... You will eat again, just not large quantity

Don't push your body too much, you will be going through a harsh surgery and it will take a little while to heal... And everyone heels differently

Focus on staying busy so you don't miss food too much

You have a window of 18 months that is prime losing weight time.. Take advantage of it

Put your fork down while you eat... It will make you eat slower

[Chittick24 52]

And replacing plates with larger saucers makes it easier lol

[blash67 82]

I had read a whole lot about the procedure when I was contemplating and also during preop. I knew the surgery was only a tool and that I would have to so the work. But, I really did not have a good understanding of slider foods; what problems you may run into if you are a grazer: and once the weight was off, what the daily maintenance calories are likely to be. I am happy with my decision an sleeve, but these are the things that I keep going over in my head that I wish I knew before. I dunno, maybe I would have been more mentally prepared for those aspects.

[smryan 17]

Follow YOUR doctor's pre and post op plans to the letter. Don't be swayed by what others are doing on this sight. I found when I turn that part off, I do better. For example, some will have liquid only pre-op diets, others don't (I didn't). Some will be on liquids/protein shakes only for 1 week and then graduate, others don't. Listen to what your doc/clinic instructs you to do and stick with it. I have followed my instructions to a T and lost 19 lbs. before surgery and 8 lbs. post (including the extra weight I gained immediately after surgery from bloating and fluids). Don't 2nd guess it, just do it. Take all supplements they recommend and drink a TON of Water. Be prepared for exhaustion for a while. I'm just shy of 2 weeks post op, have 0 pain anymore but I'm so tired it's unbelievable. I allow myself to nap (which is very hard for me). You can do this!! Once you are through surgery it will be a blur and you can focus on the real work ahead.

[AngiD 95]

does anyone suggest things like a blender, food processor and/or scale?

[blash67 82]

I use my food scale a lot. I didn't use a blender much, or food processor at all. I used the blender for shakes preop, but post op the froth made me nauseous (even when I let the shake DIY and settle for 30 mins).

[juliansmommy 67]

I am so glad you asked this question!!!

Just starting my journey to a new me! sent from my iPad