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

A friend of mine started researching it and then before I knew it she was having the surgery. I then started researching it and going in to obesityhelp.com and reading daily and decided this was the best option for me also. I want to be around to meet and watch my grandchildren grow up.

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

I was in the hospital about 2 days. I am not sure what was most important to bring. I felt so bad I didn't care if I had anything.

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

I have not had any complications.

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 but I just put things in God's hands. I knew I was doing something that would improve the quality of my and my family's life.

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

My first few days were rough. I could not sleep in my bed, I had to sleep on the couch. I did not get hungery. I slowly got my energy back. I was out of work for about 2 1/2 weeks.

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

About 30 Miles

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.

At first it was soups, jellos and sugar free pudding. With each week I could eat more soft foods and eventually meat when chewed very well. Now I can eat anything I want, in purportion. I don't want the foods I did prior to surgery or the amounts. I guess I am Lactose intolerant now because I can not drink or eat large portions of milk products.

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

Very little. I should have exercised more or walked or something but I was lazy before the surgery and I still am as far as exercising goes.

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

I took a handful of vitamins for a long time. Now I take nothing. I took B-12 shots, and the following vitamins: A Multi-vitamin, Nician,B Complex, and a few more I can't remember. I ate alot of Beef Jerkey and Almonds for Protein because I did not like the protein drinks.

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 lost some hair about 3 to 6 months out. I had some dumping a few times when I ate too much or too fast. I learned very fast what caused it and how to prevent it.

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

I would say it was while in the hospital having to drink that stuff to do the leak test and the first few days after surgery.

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

I did not attend any support groups. I had several friends that had Gastric Bypass, they and OH were my support group.

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

Not alot of scarring

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I went through several plateaus but then it would start back. I lost until I had lost about 100 lbs. I have kept over 80 lbs off for 5 years now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I feel that my outlook about my self and others is different so I treat others differently and therefore they treat my different.