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

I had first heard about this type of surgery on TV and through a co-worker, I found a Bariatric Center close to my home so I went to their conference explaining what it was about. I really thought that this was what I was looking for in a weightloss program and so I set up my first consultation.

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 was good. The nurses were great and I was very comfortable. I was in the Hospital for 3 days. I would say that you should bring something to read or do, brush or comb and slippers.

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

The only complications I had were that two areas on my insicion didn't want to close. They kept bleeding. The doctor said it was old blood and he cleaned them out and packed them with gauze then I just kept them covered until they healed from the inside out.

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 very nervous, excited, scared, worried and anxious all at the same time. The way I delt with all of these emotions was talking to anyone that would listen.

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

My first few weeks home was painful. I hadn't really realized or thought about the recooperation time so I wasn't really prepared for it. When I first got home I really regretted having surgery because of what I was going through but after a while it got better. My family really helped me alot. Eating and drinking were difficult at first but that got better too. I would say that you shouldn't expect to run a race after you get home, take it easy.

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

I didn't have to go very far, about 15 to 20 minutes away from where I live so the aftercare was not a problem.

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.

You should stay away from a lot of fat and sugar. I can tolerate most all foods. In the very begining water was hard for me to drink because it made me feel sick. I wanted to eat but when I fixed it and took a couple of bites, I didn't want to eat it anymore. I can't really explain why that happen because it wasn't that the food made me sick, just didn't want it. Everyone is different so I just test out the water so to speak and so far nothing has bothered me.

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

In the days after surgery I didn't do a lot. I got up and around in the house only for the first few weeks then I tried walking around outside. I didn't get very far because my energy level was low so I didn't push it but as time went on I could go further.

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

I take flinstone vitamins and no dietary supplements.

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?

Nausia happens when I eat too fast and that causes vomiting. I haven't had the dumping problem too often, mainly if I eat something with too much fat in it. I haven't really noticed too much in the hair loss area yet. I've actually had that problem since before surgery.

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

The healing process and remembering to eat SLOWLY.

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

I don't really have any aftercare support group/program, that's why I'm on this site. I feel that it is important for pre-op and post-op patients to seek support.

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

When I started this process I was going to have the lap. type of surgery but because of a problem with my then doctor, my case went to another doctor in the group and he only performed the open type of surgery. I really didn't want to have 'open' surgery because of the difference in recovery time. My scar is 8.5" long and right now it's hard to the touch. I'm told that it's hard because of the scar tissue around it. There was a lot of bruising around it but that's gone too.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None as of yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. The people at my work always tell me how good I'm looking, that's about it. Soon I will see my family, 7/4, and we will see how that goes.