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

A friend told me she had it done. I thought it was pretty extreme and that I could still loose the weight on my own.

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

It was very informative. He spent alot of time answering questions and going over everything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally realized that everytime I tried to loose the weight on my own I would end up gainging that weight and more back, and I could not continue in that pattern

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

I was out of work for 9 days than back to work everyother day until I got tired for about a week, than every other day for a week, than pretty much full time after that.

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

It was fine. The room was a little small and hard to move around in the room and bathroom but manageable. I was there 3 days. I would bring easy slip on shoes or slippers that you can walk in easily because it is so important to get up and walk if you can.

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 thought I would never eat "real" food again. That was hard. So I made a chart on a calender of when I would be able to eat what foods again. Now I can eat just about anything, just less!!

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

I was tired and could not sleep in my bed. I was also pretty bored. So rent movies, stock up on books and magazines, call friends... I could sleep on the couch with pillows propped up against the arm for about 3 hours at a time. That was comfortable.

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

7 hours for surgery, I had my 2 week check with my local Dr. and my 6 week check up with my regular surgeon

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.

It got better over time. I had a hard time with any dairy product and that has gotten better.

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

I was low, but got better every day.

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

I take 2 Flinstone chewables with added calcuim, zinc and b-12 a couple of times a week. I also take a b complex taht has biotin in it to help with hair loss.

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?

Well the hair loss is disturbing because I had a ton of hair before surgery and I have less and less every day. I have not had to get my hair cut short yet, but if I loose to much more I will. Its still okay because I have lost 108 pounds so far and I would go bald for that, which I dont think I will! Okay, I am almost a year out of surgery now. The hair loss stopped a while ago and I have lots of new hair growth!!!!!!!!!

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

Waking up with a tube down my mouth. I forgot that could happen and I was panicking. If I was expecting it I would not have been so scared.

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

I attend a support group meeting once a month, it keeps me fired up and informed.

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

Its about what I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had too many problems with plateaus since surgery. When the weight loss slowed down, I knew it was because my water consumption was not what it should be and my exercise was off too. When I pumped them back up the weight started coming off again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, some of my old friends dont like the weight loss. I used to be the biggest one and now some of them are bigger than me. My bigger friends have been defensive at times. Believe me, I only preach about how great the surgery to people that really are considering it because I believe we all need to make our own choices, so this has been hard. But, I am making new freinds now that I am more active. Its just sad that friends that you thought would be so happy for you are more jealous or something like that.