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

A friend had it done. I never thought that I would have to resort to "surgery" to lose weight!!! I thought that would be thought of as "taking the easy way out".

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

My first meeting was very quick and scary. He informed me how high my BMI was (41) and that I was at a very unhealthy weight. He told me some general "statistics" and sent me home with lots of reading material to go over with my husband before coming back. I wish I had written down a huge list fo questions for him ahead of time!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My kids. I was miserable all the time and crying. I was no longer able to be be the Mommy I had always dreamed of being.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only does the open RNY because he personally feels it has the best succes rate for his patients.

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 had no fears of the surgery itself, but of not waking up from it.

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?

I have had mixed reactions. Most were very scared for me. Some have said I " cheated". Now, I am getting " haven't you lost enough??!" My husband, however, has been the best!!! He loved me then, and loves me now!!

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

My employer was my mother, so I had no problems getting time off. I took the minimum my doctor would allow, 6 weeks.

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

I had a relatively easy hospital stay. I was in for 5 days and would have liked to go home sooner!! I felt great. The secret for me was WALKING!! I walked all day every day from day one. I really needed with me mouthwash and chapstick!!! Also ( sorry!!) pads. It does great things to your hormones, that anesthetic!!

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

The only problem I have had at all is gallbladder attacks, and I just had that removed!!

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 PETRIFIED!!!! I didn't sleep for the week before. I thought I would never wake up from surgery, and that my kids would have to say that their Mommy died having "fat" surgery!! It was an awful time.

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

I was feeling great!! I walked a lot every day and I think that is what helped me recover so fast. My only complaint was that I was hungry, but that was apparantly because of how active I was!!

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

I was lucky, only 20 minutes away.

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.

For the first 12 weeks, i was only allowed fluids. First 61/2 weeks ws clear fluids, followed by full fluids. Then I progressed to soft foods and finally "real" food. I was not allowed red meat ( beef or pork) for 6-8 months after surgery. I was fortunate to be able to tolerate every food I have tried.

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

I ws able to everything that I wanted ( except for the weight restrictions set out by my surgeon)

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

I have a B-12 shot monthly, and take a multi-vitamin with iron daily. In the first three months, I took two chewable vitamins daily.

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 only problem I ever had, other than gallbladder, was the hair loss. It wasn't HUGE on my part, but did annoy me. I used clairols herbal essance spray on leave conditioner, and the three minute conditioning treatment. These seemd to helped me a lot.

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

I see my surgeon at least once amonth, and my family doctor about the same. I have made several friends that have had the same procedure, and we compare notes often.As I get closer to goal, this is becoming more and more important.

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

My scar is awful. It went "keloid" which means that there is about a two inch section that is about an inch and a half wide and really hard. Looking at my scar, was the hardesst part for me. It was like a constant reminder of what I had done to my self.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

AAARRGGHHH!!!! I have at least two, and they are devestating!!! I could not get under that 200 mark for what seemed like forever. I just walked more, ate less and drank more. Eventually it started coming off again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. all the time. I hear daily.."haven't you lost enough??"" No one stares when I eat something anymore either.