Welcome to the board, that's mighty open ended question. If you could let us know what questions are top in your mind right now, we'll be more than happy to respond. Until then, hope this helps:
1. Take a before picture the day of surgery. Take pictures along the journey, you’ll be amazed by the changes.
2. Weigh and Measure yourself before going in.
3. Hide the scale or have someone hide it for you for at least a week. (You will gain weight during your hospital stay, all the IV fluids they give you. I don’t want you throwing the scale out of the window. I almost did.)
4. As soon as they say you can, get up and start walking, as much as you can. (Helps get rid of the gas they pump you full of to see what they’re doing. It helps dispel the gas and speeds recovery. )
5. Remember that the weight didn’t come on over night and won’t come off overnight, be patient.
6. You will not be able to get all your water and protein in at first, no worries. It will come as you heal.
7. Follow the advice of your Dr and Nutritionist, they’ve seen it before.
8. If you want to try something and people who’ve had WLS or your Doc, Nutritionist or other person from the office says don’t, you might want to listen. We know what we’re talking about. Been there done that.
9. Sip Sip Sip, keep a water bottle with you at all times and Sip Sip Sip all day long, from the very moment they say you can. Hydration is very important (along with protein) it is instrumental in your losing weight.
10. Join a live support group, as well as use this board.
11. Every time you weigh yourself, measure yourself. (This is to show you that even though the scale says you aren’t making progress, the tape says you are.)
12. Never compare how fast you are or aren’t losing weight to someone else. (This is not a race but a journey that is unique to you, so work it, experience it and enjoy it.) You’ll be happier, I promise. I learned this the hard way.
13. When you’re a BIG LOSER, keep going to the support group and chatting. Share what’s been given to you with those coming along behind you. (It is such a great feeling being able to give back, I can’t tell you how much hearing that I helped someone feels. Try it, you’ll like it.)
14. When you make a mistake, don’t think of yourself as a failure, just get back up and start again. Most of us have done that, so don’t be ashamed to admit to being human.
I posted this in another thread, with a similar request for advice.
WELCOME to the forum, Shawnyrae. Glad to have you here. Follow your surgeon's instructions on how to eat. Every surgeon seems to have a little different idea on the menu after surgery. Good Luck!