Things you wish someone had told you?

[Rogofulm 2,440]

I was looking forward to having my hunger gone for at least several months. But alas, it was back within 4 weeks. Sigh.....

At 4 weeks I found myself hungry too. Then my surgeon told me that post-op hunger is usually thirst in disguise. I bumped up my Fluid intake and the hunger went away, or at least became much more manageable. So make sure you're getting AT LEAST 64 ounces of fluids every day. I'm up to 120 oz. a day, now, and the only time I'm tempted to graze is when I fall behind on my Fluid intake. Good luck!!!

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

I know everyone will gasp in horror... but there are surgeons who don't even do leak tests anymore.

Here is reason - there is swelling and so if there is a leak it is not too likely to be found until the swelling goes down.

All my years of reading these forums, every person who has a leak always discovers it later, I can't think of a single time it showed up during the leak test done the next day.

My surgeon said they used to do them while you were still under, but they NEVER found leaks that way and so they decided that keeping a super morbidly obese person under for longer wasn't worth it - no clear benefit.

[samuelsmom 670]

@Rogofulm Thanks for the tip. I have always had a very hard time getting liquids in. Before surgery I would have a cup of coffee in the morning and one in the evening. That was it for the entire day. I just don't enjoy drinking. In the pre-op period I worked to get the Water in and immediately post-op I was determined. Just the thought of dehydration and IV fluids had me drinking! And I found it pretty easy between the Protein shakes, yogurt, and Water to get the 64 oz.

I didn't think of it until I read your post but the hunger came back when I started solids and my Fluid intake went way down. Not sure if that is a coincidence or not. I will diligently try to get the Fluid in and see what happens!

[Joey Jackson 12]

Thank you all for the tips. I am excited about tomorrow!

[CountryGirl5584 115]

I never changed out of my gown til I left. The only things I took out of my overpacked bad were Chapstick, my phone and charger

[JCP 619]

I wish someone had told me my sense of taste might change temporarily after surgery and not to freak out about it... It was only temporary.

[JCP 619]

I also wish I had known I would really hurt after surgery! But we are all different. And that too was temporary. And so worth it!

[5BeautifulDays 68]

Well, you're probably already there and well on your way to a new life...

But I wish I had known how *thirsty* I would be in the hours before my leak test. I also wish I had known how *cold* I would be after surgery. In August. In Virginia. I had to send my husband out to buy me like 3 different heating pads/warmers. I'm six months out and I'm still cold, lol!

I wish I had known that weight loss and the attendant changes could trigger a sort of "mid-life crisis." Nothing major, I mean--I haven't wanted to have an affair or anything--but I suddenly find myself rethinking all sorts of things I've always taken for granted. And this cat-girl got a big, dumb dog who loves long walks!

[jacileggs 402]

Best advise I can give you is this. Never trust a fart.

[Grateful_Love 114]

I wish someone would have told me how hard it would be getting in and out of the bed. I would have brought a stool. I also wish someone would have told me how much a Popsicle could hurt. It was the first thing I had after my leak test and my stomach fizzed and gurgled and sweezzled all the way down. I cried.

I just had my surgery on Tuesday. Since the Popsicle incident in the hospital, I've definitely learned to drink a little slower and im taking it easy..but I'm finding I don't have any "full" feeling. I keep keep doing sips in my medicine cups literally all day without having to stop.

I'm getting my Protein and my Water in so I'm not complaining..but I'm scared I have a leak..or my surgeon didn't give me a small enough sleeve, lol.

Any thoughts?