Preparing for Surgery. Advice: What you wish you knew

[Kassidyjkesterson 2]

Hello Everyone,

I just started the process to have gastric sleeve surgery. Although I'm getting great info from the nutritionist, I'd love to hear your experiences and what you wish you knew before you had surgery. I'm nervous but excited! My surgery is still about 5 or 6 months away so I'm hoping to prepare myself as best I can before then. What are the biggest changes you've made and how did that impact your life? All advice and stories are welcomed!!

[WInston223322 160]

I wish i would have know that it is a tool and you have to get the whole shop in order! Read this site the ups and downs but you will be so happy on this journey

[SAMMYFRYD 0]

My biggest thing was not eating bread, rice or Pasta and was able to do really well and lose a lot of weight. As soon as I started eating those types of foods, I felt an increase in appetite and started noticing the weight going back up plus Now the craving is back too. I guess my advice is if you can keep away from the bad cravings do so because once you start letting yourself have some here and there it’s harder to distance yourself from it again. I’m sure some people won’t agree with what I’m saying about not eating bread, pasta and rice, but I experienced it myself first hand and had a very successful gastric bypass patient tell me the same before I got my surgery. Hope that helps! :)

[Recidivist 1,141]

1 hour ago, SAMMYFRYD said:

I’m sure some people won’t agree with what I’m saying about not eating bread, Pasta and rice, but I experienced it myself first hand and had a very successful gastric bypass patient tell me the same before I got my surgery. Hope that helps! 

Totally agree--and I'm still not eating bread, pasta or rice more than a year out!

[JRT Mom 919]

I wish I knew how frustrating the stalls were gonna be. Hadn't made me regret a single thing, but they are soooo frustrating!

I wish I knew that people aren't going to mention that you look like you are losing weight. I'm down 50 pounds, and have only had TWO people say anything. Again, no regrets, but a little feedback for your hard work helps!

My ONLY regret is that I wish I hadn't mucked around so long with my lap band before I decided to revise to RNY!

[Sabs211 51]

The hardest thing I've had to come to terms with is losing my coping mechanism.

I used to eat to feed my emotions but now that's not an option I'm lost. Wish i had a bit more therapy as i did 15wks but it wasn't enough.

Speaking to a therapist Tuesday morning 😊

The stalls really demotivated me and disappointed me too. I thought I'd have lost more weight by now 😪

[CheerfulLoser 72]

I had to get into the mindset that the tool is a tool, and it’s forever. Sometimes I just want to sit down and eat for comfort, and that’s not an option any more.

Also, this is a process. I had the surgery and I had this “magical thinking” going on the the weight would melt away. I’m losing faster than ever, but it’s a pound at a time.

[sparticus414 0]

For me it was the heartburn and acid reflux. I had it severely. To the point where it's deteriorated the enamel of my teeth. Mine is a more rare case and you may not get it that bad but know that acid reflux of some sort is common.