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

refered by family doctor

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

ST. AGNES IN FRESNO WAS GREAT, THE NURSES WERE VERY CARING AND THOTFUL OF MY NEEDS. I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I COULD BRING WAS A ROBE THAT BUTTONED UP FOR GETTING UP AND DOWN AND PUSHING THE PCP MACHINE AROUND WITHOUT MY BEHIND STICKING OUT. WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHING HOME, MAYBE A T-SHIRT TYPE DRESS NO WAIST.I WAS THERE 3 DAYS BECAUSE I LIVE 2 HOURS FROM FACILITY.

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

THE SURGERY HAD VERY LITTLE DISCOMFORT, THE PAIN MEDS TOOK CARE OF THAT. I REALLY DON'T RECALL ANY REAL BAD PAIN.

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 HAD SO MANY DOUBT'S BUT OTHER PEOPLE AND GETTING WELL INFORMED BY OTHER WLS PATIENTS, RELIEVED ALL MY DOUBTS. THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT OUT THERE. THE ANTICIPATION WAS JUST PART OF THE EXCITEMENT OF THE UNEXPECTED. BUT THE DESIRE TO BE HEALTHY OUTWEIGHED THAT !!!!!!!

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

I WAS AFRAID TO EAT, IT WAS STRANGE. I FELT LIKE I'D NEVER GET TO ENJOY REAL FOOD AGAIN, NOT SO. NOW, I ENJOY IT BUT EAT VERY LITTLE OF IT, MY DESIRES FOR FOOD HAS DWINDLED TOO. I WAS REAL TIRED FOR THREE WEEKS AT LEAST, ALSO I HAD A LITTLE DEPRESSION, BUT THE ONLLINE SUPPORT ASSURED ME THIS WAS NORMAL. THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO HELPED ON THE OTHER SIDE.

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

I HAD A TWO HOUR DRIVE EACH WAY. IT'S STILL CLOSE ENOUGH FOR AFTERCARE

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.

I STUCK PRETTY MUCH TO THE DIET OF SOFT FOODS AND LIQUIDS , THEN A LITTLE CHICKEN, MY PROBLEM WAS LEARNING TO SLOW DOWN. STILL IS !!!!

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

I WAS VERY TIRED AND IT TOOK AT LEAST 3 WEEKS TO FEEL BACK TO ONE HALF NORMAL

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

I TAKE 2 CHILDRENS VITAMINS CALLED "GUMMY VITES" FROM WALMART, THERE MUCH MORE TOLERABLE THAN THE HARD KIND.THEY TASTE LIKE GUMMY BEARS

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 NAUSIA IS WORSE FOR ME. THE VOMITING IS ONLY WHEN I EAT TOO FAST AND IT HURTS SO I SELF INDUCE IT TO RELIEVE THE UNCOMFORTABLENESS, MY OWN FAULT... NO HAIR LOSS, I HAD DUMPING ONCE, IT WAS AWFUL I THOT I WAS GONNA PASS OUT, ATE TOO MUCH ICE CREAM. MY OWN FAULT, THIS IS A REAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE, A FAST TEACHER IS BEING UNCOMFORTABLE!!! Its a built in mechanism..

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

THE FEAR OF THE SURGERY WAS ALL I WAS ANXIOUS ABOUT. BUT THAT SUBSIDIED WITH ALL THE SUPPORT FROM FELLOW WLS LOSERS.

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

THERE IS A MEETING EVERY FIRST MO OF EVERY MO. I HAVE NOT MADE ONE YET. I REALLY WANT TO BUT ITS KINDA LATE FOR ME WITH A TWO HOUR DRIVE.

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

5 LITTLE INCISIONS, NO BIG DEAL

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

NONE SINCE SURGERY, I NEED TO EXCERCISE MORE TO MOVE THIS ALONG THO

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES, SADLY, PEOPLE RESPOND MORE TO ME , ESPECIALLY MEN. SAD, I AM THE SAME PERSON.