How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

A friend of my sisters had had it done about 15 years ago. As I kept on yo-yo dieting and getting heavier and heavier, I started doing research on it, and would ask my Dr. /Dr's if they had heard about the surgery and did they recommend it. The more they would tell me no, the more I would want to pursue it.

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

My hospital stay was pleasant. The only problem I ran into was the fact that I could not get comfortable on the bed, and trying to roll the IV in the bathroom was kind of a pain, but I tried my best, considering how awful I felt. I made myself get out of bed at least 2-3 times a day and walk around as much as I could. The first days of course were the worst, but by the third day I felt real good. I was in the hospital for 7 days, from 12.15.99/12.21.99. The most important thing I brought w/me to the hospital was alot of faith in God and the surgeon. I also brought a picture of my Husband and Son. To help me relax I brought a cassette with sounds of waves crashing on the beach. It helped me to fall asleep.

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

I was extremely fortunate to not have any complications at all.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

My surgery was actually suppose to happen after the first of the year of 2000. But because the insurance was changing at the first of the year, everything was very rushed, from my approval, to going to get all the tests done, to seeing the surgeon, I didn't really have time to feel anxious. I was too busy rearranging my whole schedule.

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

MISERABLE! I was home the day before Christmas Eve and I had company over cooking in my home, a whole turkey dinner, I was very depressed and cried alot. I finally had to go to my room because the smell was really grosing me out. I felt like my world was ending, like I had made the BIGGEST mistake of my life, not being able to enjoy the holiday . I cried for about a week. I felt like I was missing out on so much, because my whole life the holidays have always been about eatting. I believe from my experience, people will probably be as miserable as I was, because no one can come out from surgery and be a happy camper .

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

The hospital was around 73 miles away from home. Make sure before you leave the hospital that they give you pain medication to help you get home.

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.

My program started me w/liquids for the first 3 weeks, after that I was slowly introduced to yogurts, cottage cheese, soups that were strained, pudding, mashed potatoes very very mashed. After the 10 weeks slowly I could start having solids. Mainly fried foods and junk foods were off limits. Every 1 to 2 weeks I would try something new, and again being very fortunate nothing made me sick, I was able to tolerate everything I ate. Being very very careful I chewed well.

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

Alot of bedrest and watching TV, but would go walking to the corner in the morning and evening. As days went by, I increased the distance of walking, and it only got better and better. I started exersising on the stationary bike about 8 weeks after surgery.

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

I take a womans one a day vitamin every morning, I take an iron pill every morning and 2 viactive chews during the 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 about 2 dumping syndromes, alot of dry heaves at the beginning, and alot of hair loss, still have hair loss but not as much because I am still drinking my protein, I am at about 100 grams per day.

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

I think recovery was the worst.

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

Since I lived so far, I only went to about 3 support groups after surgery, but I did go on line alot to adoctorinyourhouse.com to read post and to send post. I believe it is extremely important to go to support groups pre and post-op

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

My scar healed very nicely, I am very pleased with the work my surgeon did.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several plateaus. At one time I hit a plateau for about 6 weeks, I was upset but tried not to dwell on it too much. I knew that the weight would still come off and it did, in fact, after plateaus I would drop about 3-4 lbs. instantly.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Boy oh Boy, do they. I feel people talk to me more, I get stared at alot by men, and it feels real good, really builds up my self-esteem. People that knew me when I was heavy, and used to make me feel so ugly, I just want to tell them now when they see me that they need permission to talk to me.