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

I saw an ad for The Bariatric Treatment Centers and made an appointment. The doctor put me at ease immediately. The staff went out of their way to make my appointment comfortable. I realized then I wasn't the only obese person in the world. Unfortunately we had a set back with the insurance company. But by that time I was sold on the idea.

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

My hospital stay lasted all of 2 1/2 days for an open RNY! My doctor, the residents and most of all the nurses at University of Cincinnati were wonderful. Never once do I remember being in pain. My light was answered in a matter of seconds and any requests I made was promptly carried out. The most important thing I brought? Mint flavored toothpaste and lip balm. I was never hungry. They had super sized gowns that fit big on even me. But the taste in my mouth? Mercy, go with the toothpaste and go with it often~

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

I had no complications from surgery at all. It was textbook perfect.

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

Weeks 1 and 2 my staples pulled. I couldn't straighten up without some discomfort. Week 3-5 made me forget about my staples as nausea and vomiting took it's place. That is when I started wondering what on earth I had done for myself. That is when I found this website. I started asking people if this was normal. So many people responded that I couldn't answer them all. The answer was yes, but it would pass. One day you would wake up and feel....NORMAL! And that is exactly what happened! Around the first part of week 6, I woke up and was hungry. Not only that but my staples were out and I could walk from my front door to the car without taking breaks!

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

Expect to be weak and tired. You just had MAJOR surgery and it wasn't a walk in the park. You won't be hungry if you are going with the 6 tiny meals a day. Measure EVERYTHING, even if you know for sure that you can eyeball 2 ounces. The diet is the hardest thing. You go different stages with different doctors. But that too will change. You will feel better after the staples are out for sure. Nap as you need to, but don't forget to exercise. Even a little.

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

I travelled about 60 miles, to Cincinnati Ohio. I would have gone 3 times as far.

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 few weeks blended foods were all that was on my diet. I found spicy foods didn't sit well. Meat didn't work unless it was chicken. Which at the time was horrible because I was a meat and potatoes kind of woman. Now at month 5 I still have problems with any type of red meat, except hamburger. It is to the point it doesn't even look good anymore. Rice is a no go as well as eggs in any fashion. Fried foods? Leave them alone. Sweets are the same as red meat, doesn't even look good. However my protein powder and I have bonded. I'm still doing the 5-6 meals a day and my protein drinks are at least 2 meals.

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

I didn't notice any difference till about a week after I started back to work. Around week 9. And it dawned on me I was running the halls at the hospital. I was walking circles around my co-workers. And I didn't need breaks, nor was I gasping for air! It has only gotten better. I can walk up to 4 miles without breaking a sweat and have more energy than I have time to expend it!

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

I take a one a day vitamin for women. 1 Calcium Supplement. 1 Iron supplement. Plus my protein drinks/bars twice a day.

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 nausea and vomiting from week 3-5. I could hold nothing on my stomach. I thought something was seriously wrong. But it passed. I am extremely picky about what goes in my mouth so the dumping has only hit me hard once or twice. I get the message real quick and don't repeat my mistake. The hair loss is what I'm dealing with now. I am by no means going bald. But I feel like Pigpen on the Peanuts cartoon. I go in a wake of falling hair! I have upped my protein drinks and it is tapering off at this time....5 months.

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

GETTING APPROVED!!!

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

I live to far away from my doctors office to go to support groups. And the nutrition person that was to follow us vanished into thin air. So this website, common sense and 25 years of nursing experience has been my program. That and a wonderful husband that never fails to make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

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

My scar extends from my breast bone to my navel. I knew it was going to be a large scar. But I also know plastics down the road will take care of it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had no plateaus since surgery. My weight loss may be greater at times because of my exercise. But it has been a steady loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. I started in at 423 pounds. So even though I have lost 123 pounds I am still a large woman. I'm looking forward to people noticing though.