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

I had heard about stomach stapeling since i was little and had a bad feeling about it. My mom's cousin had it in the 70's and it didn't work. But when i haerd Carney Wilson talking on some show about gastric bypass and how it worked for her. Then she said that insurance did cover this surgery I almost cried i was so excited.

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

My stay was a good excperience. As good as could be while being in pain. But the nurses were very good about getting my pain killer when i needed it. I was in the hospital for 4 days. i brought books and magazines, pictures and all that. I didn't pick up them one time. All I wanted to do was sleep. The one thing I was so glad i brought w/ me was my little fan. I would wake up very hot. I asked the nurse to turn up the air conditioning, she said"honey, it is up". So I had that little fan right in my face the whole time and it was wonderful!

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

I had no coplications. I had some beeding from my incision after i got home and that freaked me out, but I found out it was normal drainage.

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

I was nervous and felt sort of gulity. I have two small boys and i kept thinking I was putting them at risk of looseing there mother. I also ate whatever i wanted for the first time in my life w/out gulit. I had never know that feeling and it was fun!

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

I was very tired al the time. That was the hardest part. I have two young boys that I need to take care of during the day. It was hard because all i wanted to do was sleep.

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

only about 45 minutes.

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.

the only thing i seem to have a problem with so far is bread. It seemd to make me feel nautious. I stay away from greasey foods too. they just don't appeal to me. I can handle most everything else. I will get sick if i overeat on anything.

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

hardly nothing. I was so tired all the time, i didn't do much.

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

At one month my doc started me on multi-vitamins, iron, b-12, and calcium.

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?

Nausia was the worst for the first two months. I took me awhile to re-learn how to eat so that i didn't make my self sick.

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

Wakeing up after surgery I was in pain and felt i couldn't breath. Also, just trying to get comfortable when i was sleeping was hard for awhile. other than that i have had it pretty easy.

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

My doctor is very big on aftercare. So much so that he dosn't even charge for the aftercare visits. He wants his patients to continue to come to hime for years. I am also a member of an online suport group. it has helped w/ many questions I have had.

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

My scare is quite long. I had an open rny. It is about eight inches long. i am 2 and a half months post op right now and it is still quite red. Part of it at the top is pretty wide too. About 3/4" wide at one point. My surgeon said he thinks it has to do w/ hormones when scares do this. It dosn't bother me thought. I dought i would ever be wearing a bikini anyway!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had a few tow week long platueas. They suck! But when i do finally break them i loose like 8 to 10 lbs that week, so i make up for them.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet, but i am so much more confident. I can wear nicer clothes that aren't 2 sizes to big for me. i would always try to cover up by wearing very big clothes. Now I am wearing the sizes i should be. I feel much better about myself.