What did you wish you knew before surgery?

Go into it with realistic goals.  I see so many expect to lose weight super fast....for the majority 3-5 lbs per week is the average expected weight.  Some weeks may be higher, some less and some week(s) you'll not see any weight loss.  It's the nature of losing weight.

As for being hungry.......this can happen but in my experience here and personally I'd say most don't get real hunger for a while (and some do) BUT I also "think" (my opinion) lots of time it's head hunger and not true hunger.

I'd like to suggest you take your measurements before surgery.....I say this all the time.  The inches lost are so encouraging and even when the weight may not change LOTS of people are losing inches during that time.  Take your picture before surgery and keep the outfit you wear for your pre-op pictures and try those on once every month or so......it really sinks in the changes happening.

Good luck!

Well, to be realistic, it might be the wrong decision. Then again, it might be the perfect decision.

I have no doubt there will be people mad at me for saying RNY has not worked for me. That's speaking heresy. I'm sorry it's true, but it is true--for me.

I understood beforehand that WLS was not going to be magic. I knew it was only a tool.

My misinterpretation was that WLS was only a tool, but it was the main tool, a tool that worked, an effective tool. What "It is only a tool" really means is this: If you're building a house, yes you still have to do the work, but your hammer/WLS is only one of many many many tools necessary, plus you still have to do the work, and find out what the tools are and learn how to use them, and even then some or all of them might not do the jobs they're meant to do. I'd been thinking of it like this: All I need is a hammer, and now I have a hammer; if I do the work of banging stuff with the hammer, the job will get done. I was wrong about that. 

There is a failed WLS forum on this site. It doesn't get much traffic. Maybe that's because failure is not common. Maybe it's because  failure is depressing and we're too beaten down to talk about it. This RNY forum gets lots of traffic, as you know--that's probably because lots of people are getting RNYs and for the majority, it works pretty well. But not for me.

You've lost 85 lbs and had surgery in April.  Please elaborate on how "RNY didn't work for you".

I'm hungry, sometimes.  I was hungry BEFORE surgery, all the time!  That's how I gained so much weight...lol 
The difference now, I know that I can do something other than eat to try and satisfy the "hungry" feeling.  It's not always true hunger, but a response to an emotional need.  My challenge is to identify the need, find an appropriate "fix" for that need.
There are times, that it's true hunger.  I have low blood sugars, so I eat something to help with that. 
For the most part, though, it's not true hunger and will pass. 

and what if you avoid making the best decision ever?

Other than a current hernia that isn't related to this surgery but previous ones I haven't had any issues. I've never "stalled" never went a week without losing at least 1 pound (knock on wood). I've vomited a couple times but myeh whatever I vomited a lot more when I was young and spent my nights in the bar. I do get hungry but I get full after about 2.5 - 3 oz of meat and am satisfied for hours.

Human nature tends to make people who are unhappy be more vocal than those who aren't

My biggest mistake? Not having this done years ago!

That I could actually eat healthy and be happy!

That I would have such a personal Relationship with my Scale... I call her Jenny

I love it!!!

I can't think of anything based on research and reading WLS support boards before surgery.  The toughest part, even being prepared was the mental aspects.  If I were doing this again, I'd definitely look into therapy early out that I didn't pursue the first time around.

I'll make note as someone else stated:  The vitamin intake is much more than I anticipated I'd need based on the information I had originally and what I personally need to take to keep my labs in check.

No I'm happy with my surgery, no regrets. 

I believe I was as prepared as anyone can be, and honestly I haven't learned anything that has been a "surprise". I am a research junkie though! 

I do have fears about old age....will I have the money to pay for all the supplements I take?  If I have caregivers, will they make sure I get them?  I guess by then it really won't matter!!

I'd do it again in a heartbeat!