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

A man came up to me and told me about it. Then my younger brother had it done. I was scared of it, and still am to a large extent. My lifestyle continues to change, and not all of it is for the better.

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

Ask questions!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My family bullied me into it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I could only have one. I was too fat.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

I hoped I would die on the table and that would let me out of it all. I didn't die. But i still have my share of wishing I had. Make sure you have a support system in place for yourself. Its one thing to be fat and alone, it is another to be losing weight and still be alone.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

My family pushed me into it, and I don't really have any friends.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

I was out of work for four weeks. I am still not sure how my employer feels about it. I still work in the same place. Time will tell.

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

I'm not a fan of hospitals, but the hospital was not real clean. There is an entire area dedicated to bariatric patients. They had the toilets that go out of the wall, not the pedestal type. I know they are not made to support people of weight. I was in the hospital for three days. Bring something to keep yourself occupied. I brought a couple of books. Someone stole one of my books while I was there though.

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

Besides waking up with a tube down my throat breathing for me, no.

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

Terrified. i made a lot of fat jokes.

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

Nothing really eventful. After the doctor released me, i went back to PA and went back to work. Expect to get used to a new way of behaving.

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

I went to Florida to get the surgery. I have an appointment in a few weeks for a follow up.

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

I walked as far as I could daily. By three weeks I was doing 1.5 miles a day. Now I can walk for quite a distance.

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

Potassium, Vitamin C, Flintstones chewables, Sub lingual B-12, and viactiv chews.

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?

The nasia was the worst.I haven't lost any hair yet. I had pain and gas for months. Finally, i was told to get something called simethicone. It took care of my gas for the most part.

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

Now, I don't know how to deal with things. I don't have a social life, and I have no idea how to make one. I tried asking out some people, but things don't look promising for me.

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

I have this site. I also know two people who had the surgery. I still feel pretty much alone.

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

It is like a scar. It goes from my belly to my chest. I expected to get it done laproscopically, so I wasn't expecting it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None so far.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No.