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

I have a couple co workers that have had the surgery. Then the story with Carnie Wilson. I decided that being diabetic - I didnt want to stay on the medicines. And with the weight keeping me on it... and the failure of other diets. It was time to get this done. It was scary. It sounded scary. But all good things have a scary side.

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

my stay in the hospital, well wasnt the greatest. I had 3 iv's blow, slow response to call bells, and overall slow to get anything I needed. one nurse told me that my swollen hand was fine and they didnt need to take the iv out. i had to reassure her that i knew how to take them out on my own. she took it out. my hand was the size of an orange by then. ouch. i was in the hospital for 3.5 days. most important thing to bring with you... your own oversized pjs. that way you know you have your hiney covered while walkin.

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

I have yet to have any complications. I dont plan on it either. so i didnt have to deal with anything yet.

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 am only goin on the 2nd week post op. I have hit the depression stage. My doctor warned me about it... so i was prepared for it. it is normal they say to be depressed after any kind of surgery. i deal with it with the help of my family and friends.

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

Expect to be depressed. and dont expect for everything to be the same right when you get home. you will be so limited to what you can do. it was shockin also that the food i did eat... well the three bites that i once could swallow down in one bite... looks like toooooo much food.

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

the hospital was about 15 to 20 mins away. this had no affect on my aftercare, because my drs office was and is closer. if for any reason we need anything they have an answerin service available 24 hours a day. so those here that do not go for aftercare, well that is their own choice.

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 diet right after surgery isnt so bad. i just can not eat meat right now. everything else that i am eating just has to be sugar free or lowfat fat free. i can eat veggies, includin potatos mushed, i can have sugar free fat free puddings, jellos, yogurts (frozen or not), and drink just about anythin from juice to teas. only thing is i am still only eatin 3 bites every 2 hours or drinking. i will be movin up soon.

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

i was active. walked everyday, or bike. it increases the longer i am out of surgery.

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

my dr put us on potassium and childrens chewable vitamins 3 days before surgery and continued them when we got home from surgery. centrum complete kids vitamins are the best recommended one with the source of iron.

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?

sleep i believe is the worse for me. i could not get to sleep anywhere to save my life. i couldnt get comfortable. i had to learn to lay on my side again, and adjust to pain. after time it became more bearable. now i can lay on my side and get a lil rest.

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

the first right out of surgery - they made me move from stretcher to bed by myself - pain. people dont realize that you just had your stomach muscle cut and they were expectin - what a miracle? - you to be able to do everythin like you did before. no one prepared me for the pain i was about to be in. people only tell you about how great you are gonna feel and how much healthier, forgot to mention how much pain there was. and i couldnt use my pca pump of demoral. demoral doesnt work on me... just gives me a real weak stomach, so needless to say i didnt use my pump much.

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

we have a wonderful support group that meets every monday. it helps to see and hear what others are goin thru. you see it isnt 'just you' goin thru some things.

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

my scar is still fresh. it is a nice incision mark from my sternum to 2 inches or so above my belly button. it is smaller than i thought so i am happy with that. will be puttin vit E on to help it hide.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

just got out so dont really have one.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

i havent been back to work, but i see how some of my family friends are supportive more now they see a difference in my looks. they werent sure of this and now they are behind me. some of my best friends are scared of me now. they feel as though they lost an eating buddy and that i will change and forget them. now i feel as though i have to prove them wrong. i dont abanadon no one.