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

Television commmercial and I thought it was too radical

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

My 4 day stay in the hospital went very well ... the nurses were great, very upbeat and did whatever they could to make it comfortable for you BUT they did make you do what you were supposed to do! BTC supplied us with a kit that included all the tolietries we needed ... all we needed to bring was slipper and a robe if you wanted it, plus a pillow to hold to our stomach when we coughed ... it was handy on the way home!

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

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?

I felt no anxiety ... only better every day. I was surprised how well I felt each day. I used my hysterectomy (total-open) experience as a guide on how fast I would recover and found I did better with the gastric bypass (open).

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

I walked every day ... at first just around my home, inside and in the courtyard outside. By the end of the first week I was walking around the block once or twice a day. I did not push it, but felt better walking than sitting. I did a little more each day, but never enough to make me tired. I sipped on water alot and made sure I got my protein in ... I read and re-read the post-op book to make sure I was doing what BTC advised.

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

2 hours drive for surgery and aftercare. I will proabably go for my 3 month checkup since it will still be on this year's insurance - after that for the 6 and 9 month blood work I will most likely have it done here in town and only go up for the yearly appt.

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 am still on my 6-week healing diet and I have followed it to the letter and have had absolutely no problems.

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

Increase activity daily! I am bored sitting at home!

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

2 children's chewable complete vitamins daily and will be on these til BTC recommends a daiy vitamin that I can swallow

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?

I am at my 6-week post op and so far (thank God) I have not had any nausea, vomiting or dumping. I think my hair is thinning some, but I know it will come back in about 6 months (I went through this with the liquid diet and my hair grew back fuller). I have some trouble sleeping because I don't do enough to get tired.

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

Getting the IVs into my arm before surgery and not being able to drink anything for 3 days after surgery! (Of course I expected pain after surgery and first day was my worst - it got better much faster than I expected)

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

I was told of a support group in East Peoria which I went to before my surgery ... I attended 3 meetings before ... it was the best thing I could of done. I was at a crossroads with my brother and best friend trying to talk me out of it ... the support group was my deciding factor. I saw women there who were truly inspiring ... some had had problems, one gal had the surgery twice because her pouch leaked BUT everyone said they would do it again and everyone felt they had their life back and everyone looked great! I consider this VERY IMPORTANT both PRE-op and POST-op!

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

Didn't think too much about it .. figure not that many will see it, I long outgrew my bikini! Mine is healing well, will blend in with the hysterectomy scar .. thought about having a zipper tatooed along the seam.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Haven't hit one yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am getting tired of be patronized ... everyone (well, alot of family and well-meaning friends) has to ask how much weight I have lost like they are waiting for this to fail, like all my diets. (I am probably being too sensitive)