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

i had a friend who was over 500 pounds and she was researching it so i though ok ill research it and watch her journey .. then a yr and ahlf later i had it done .. i would do it again in a minute..

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

well i was suppose to be there 2 to 3 day but ended up being there 5 days , reminder to all ppl. HAVE YOUR SLEEP STUDY DONE!!! i have sleep apnia and didnt have my my study done befor surgery, theye told me theye could have lost me because of the meds for pain, depressing my breathing.. so dont put off your sleep study... other then that everything went great:):):)

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

just breathing i would stop breathing cause of the sleep apnia

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 healing up great and doing good , i was sore for like 4 weeks, but after that it was all uphill:):)

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

well DONT OVER DO when dr says somthing stick right to it .. :) that will make recovery go smooth

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

40 miles from my home to the hospital , not bad :)

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.

well jelloes brothes in the first 2 weeks :) then i started introducing puread foods, at 6 weeks fruits veggies, breads are hard because there so gummie... its all according to your dr's plan...

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

well walking at 4 weeks and i have been walking 2 to 3 miles a day since . START your TONING as soon as possible

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

i take children flinstone chewables 2 a day and calcium chews 2 per 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?

once in a while i will get sick from some foods if theye dont agree with my stomach.. i just stear clear of them for a while and try again later on.. dumping is awful i have had that , stear clear of it if all possible...hair loss i just started loosing some hair but not alot...

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

the worst part is what you go through emotionally , because you want to get better and get going , and it takes time and PATIENCE :):):)

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

i dont go to support groups but i do go to spotlight.com and here for support plus some friends of mine have had it dont so it helps to talk to them to...

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

its an average scar , its fading not looking to bad

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i havent had a platue yet im about 10 weeks out

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes and no.. im the same person just less of me :) i do get commpliments but thats all thats different