Top 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Weight Loss Surgery + BONUS

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• published: 23 Jun 2015
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What is that one thing you wish someone had told you, or are so glad someone did, about WLS or the process pre and post op?? More links to resources at the bottom. 1. Sticking to your diet and exercise plan is the most important thing we can do to ensure success. 2. I was going to go through the, "What the Hell did I do to myself?" phase right after surgery. Although I thought I was prepared for anything that I would have to go through post-op, I still went through it. 3. That my hair was going to shed for a couple months! 4. That being thinner wouldn't equate to happiness. Most of my life I thought that if I just lost weight I would turn into a very happy person. 5. You will be cold ALL THE TIME. 6. Loose skin happens, it feels bad, but it's NOT the end of the world. I decided I liked being thin and flappy, rather than fat and tight. 7. Sometimes you experience 'hunger pangs' that mean you are thirsty. 8. Life is going to get so much better because you are going to feel like a new person. I tell you this, but seriously, it's not easy to comprehend until you're there. 9. How much it was going to hurt when I woke up from surgery. And then, how quickly it would get better over the next few days. 10. That during the first two weeks, fluids are even more important than protein. Bonus: About the Dreaded Week-3 Stall. Consider yourself warned, Don't panic, stick to your diet plan and exercise Your darn tail bone sticks out and your butt hurts all the time! I wouldn't miss my fat-guy foods as much as I thought. Hot dogs, chips, pizza, pasta, cake, just don't taste as good as they used to. Except donuts... donuts are still little bites of heaven!! You will go through clothes like poop through a goose. I did not understand how fast my wardrobe would become obsolete Your underwear gets too big really fast Goodwill, Old Navy and Walmart will be your best friend until you get to goal weight. That non-green carbs, starches, and sugar are the enemy and will cause stalls, head hunger and weight gain. That walking, jogging, getting up and down off the floor, being able to cut your toenails, fitting into booths at restaurants is so darned much fun. That beef and turkey jerky are secret weapons against hunger, especially on the road. The shoulder pain. I experienced excruciating shoulder pain and think it wouldn't have been so scary if I knew just how bad it could be. The first six months is a window of great opportunity to lose most of your weight. Your restriction is at its best during this time period and its best to make the most of it by trying your hardest and sticking to the guidelines no matter what. Depression is pretty common for the first few weeks after surgery: mood swings, mourning food, feeling uncomfortable, looking at a seemingly insurmountable goal. Depression lifts, pain/nausea resolves, goal gets closer and closer every day! NEVER compare your weight loss with others.....we all lose at our own pace (for a variety of reasons). If you work the plan, the weight WILL come off, and my slower loss gives me more time to practice the plan and good habits that hopefully will be easier to maintain once at goal (as they will be sooooo ingrained). Focus on non-scale victories (ie. clothes fitting looser, fitting in seats better, less joint pain, etc). These NSVs are the reason why we do this....we did it to feel better! You will stop missing the foods that you thought you couldn't live without. Healthy stuff starts tasting better than it did before! A couple of fresh strawberries for dessert really IS a treat (vs a ton of M&Ms;). Seemingly unbelievable, yet somehow true. And that if we follow all the rules, the pounds will fall off and we can make it to goal weight. Read the orignal thread and see new updates: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/343510-i-wish-i-knew/ More Resources: Lauren Vento Weight Loss Surgery Questions and Answers https://youtu.be/9Uff4X9wPCc Clusie L 10 Things I wish I'd Known After Gastric Sleeve www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIW52dpbMfM Miss Choclita Gastric Sleeve - Things I wish I would've known before surgery https://youtu.be/pYc7_JLwxoM OneLifetoSleeve Gastric Sleeve: The negatives, so far https://youtu.be/LeBBJ41NEbc