Any advice for pre-ops and newbies?

As a 3-year vet of WLS, I would say the best thing I ever did was to not temp fate and "test drive" a bunch of crappy food during the first year to see if I would dump. I called it opening Pandora's Box since if I found out I was able to eat anything without dumping, I would be tempted to eat it before I had developed the will power to say no.

I've subsequently found out that I don't dump but I found this out only after I had 1) got to my goal weight, 2) developed better eating 3) had a solid exercise program in place and 4) had the discipline (for the most part) to say no to bad eating and yes to exercise. 

Any other of you WLS vets have any sage advice to pass on to the pre-ops or newbies in the locker room? 

Thanks

Boner

  

Boner and the rest of you vets,

Speaking as a newbie, I can't tell you how much your advice and input is appreciated.  I've completed all of my tests and jumped through all the hoops they've asked me to.  My package was submitted to the insurance company yesterday (my birthday, by the way).   Now, it's just a matter of waiting.

I'm fighting all the demons I suppose everybody at my stage deals with.  Will I make it through the surgery OK?  Will I have any of the complications that seem so common?  Will I be able to keep it off? 

I'm 58 and 397 pounds (I started at about 420).  My primary form of exercise is getting out of my recliner.  I'm hoping I can do some of the activites that have always seemed like they were made for others.  I wanna take bike rides, long walks, golf, and take ballroom dancing lessons with my wife.  Thanks for helping me to see that these can be more than a pipe dream. 

You're going to get lots of advice on food and stuff and it will all be good. I'm going to just advise you to pay it forward and be accountable. Post honestly about your triumphs and your struggles. Also take lots of pictures. Picture tell a story more than words ever will and they do wonders to pluck you out of the blues when you don't think you have lost.

Also get involved in some activities maybe a local support group. try and have some. A lot of times this can be a solitary exercise because we can get lost. There are a lot of people like us and support groups can help deal with that short term.  Plus they hel keep you on track sometimes.

Keep posting You have lots to offer

First off Happy Birthday Dan, good thread Boner. I'm pretty new but we all have something at our own level to contribute. So my main thing is start journaling everything you do each day. You will build this into a habit. Also you might start now stop using straws and stop carbonated beverages. Start chewing your food 25-30 times, take small bites and stretch your meals out to 30-40 min. putting your fork down between bites helps slows you down. Also if you have trouble taking small bites might try a toddlers spoon. Just a few habits to get into. Hoe this helps. C'ya Bob

My advice to the pre-ops: 
1) Start geting your head right - the mental aspect of WLS is a BIG part of it, IMO.  Understand that WLS is not a 'magic cure" for obesity, but is a fabulous tool that works IF you work it right.
2) Start preparing for your life after WLS - increase protein, decrease carbs, cut out sweets, begin an exercise routine (even if it is just walking for a few minutes every day). Get a jump start on good, healthy habits now.
3) Join a support group like this one and be active in it. Develop a relationship with others who are WLS post-ops and can mentor you.
4) Ask questions of WLS post-ops. No question is too silly or stupid. That is the way you learn what works and doesn't work.
5) Keep a daily food journal and a daily exercise journal.

6) Get focused on being successful after surgery, not making excuses or finding reasons to stumble. This is a LIFETIME COMMITTMENT!

Bama Bob nailed it for me. This is the single biggest thing I would say to do.......

2) Start preparing for your life after WLS - increase protein, decrease carbs, cut out sweets, begin an exercise routine (even if it is just walking for a few minutes every day). Get a jump start on good, healthy habits now.

my pre-op dieting and exercise made all the difference. I was original looking at a possible OPEN procedure but the pre-op diet and exercise made a LAP surgery a piece of cake(so to speak). Get up and walk ASAP after surgery.
The food stuff comes, like it or not, you have to adjust there get prepared