What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

My stay at Stringfellow Mermorial, in Anniston, Alabama, was very good. Even though like any other hospital they are understaffed. But that didn't stop the quality of care I recived. They have great nurses there, and very nice. I stayed from Feb.15th, in the morning at 6, till Feb.17th in the late afternoon 4:30. Reason for such a weird time of getting out is the hours you have to stay for insurance purpose's.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

No I had no complications, just had a hernia removed that was found on belly button. He removed it and that was that.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

The first weeks home are the hard ones. You get very sick really fast of the juices and the breakfeast mix. So bad you wish you could just stop altogether. But you have to go on with them, for if you don't you could die. When I first started eating, it was hard and still is a month and half in. I get food hung between my breat and it hurts and doesn't want to go down. I have to lay down for hours some times, just because I am so sick from it. And it won't come back up, not on me. I try and throw up but it's no use. Some days I can't eat a thing, and sometimes it's two or three days in a row I can't. But I feel better about me, myself. I am walking, and riding a stationary bike, i rode it 3 miles this morning. I am no longer swollen, I have legs that look like legs instead of tree stumps...lol..ankles that I have not seen in years. I have lost 43 pounds, my clothes are starting to fall off me as I walk...I know that maybe stupid to some, but to me it is wonderful. I don't sit on the couch all day anymore, I am up and doing things. And it feels great. I can't wait to reach 150.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

115 miles is how far I live from Anniston, and I didn't see anything that it did, other than me being tired. As far as me going back for care it will not effect that any.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

I have found that I can eat just about anything, as long as it's not fried, or meat. I have a problem with swalloing meat, it hangs between my breast and I have to throw it up. And I hate sticking my finger down my throat. I eat alot of crackers, and oranges, they go down easy. I eat scrambled eggs now and then. I do take a few sips of coke, tea or koolaid now and then, but my main drink is water, lots of water. Green beans are a good food for me that goes down very good. I take bits of this and that, and mostly I can eat it it, it's just I would rather not eat a thing, but I know I have to.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

My actvity level has went through the roof from where it was at. I walk over a mile aday, and I ride a stationary bike 6 miles a day. I am up and doing way more than I have in years. I will be glad when I can walk more than mile. But the weight I still have still hurts me when I walk. It hurts my feet, legs and hips. But one day I hope I will be able to walk way more than that mile.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

I take a complete multi purpose vitiam, a vitiam c and 2 magnesium a day.

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

I have had very little nausia, the vomiting I have had was brought on by me having to stick my finger down my throat. I have had the dumps one time, hair loss I am having none. I have had the dry heaves twice, and a few stomach aches that didn;t last long.

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

Not being able to drink anything, until the next day after surgery. I thought I would thrist to death, but I didn't, and I had an IV the whole time, but I still wanted it.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

Not any

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

I have 7 very small scars for my WLS, and one that is just a little bigger for my hernia. I didn't think they would be that small.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, and it makes me mad. I am the same person I was when I was heavier. And it is awful how people treat you when you drop some of that weight. They should treat you the same, when your heavier, as they treat you when your smaller. I don't feel people are very nice when they do you that way. Every one should be treated good, no matter what they weigh.