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

I didn't like the idea. I wanted to do it myself- lose the weight. It took me three years to finally decide to say yes to the doctors...

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

I was there for a week and if I hadn't left the hospital room, I don't believe anyone would have noticed I was there...

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

There was only less than a month until then... I researched more, hoping that it would make me feel better, but it didn't... what finally did it was visiting people that were actually having the surgery before-hand... seeing they were just like me, and that they were okay afterwards...

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

To be really tired, to not expect too much out of themselves, to understand that they are human beings and not superhumans...

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

about an hour... it hasn't affected my aftercare except for the long stay waiting to see a doctor when I go...

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.

Whenever I get nauseas or indigestion and don't feel like eating, I go back to mashed potatoes, peas, anything that is soft. I feel so hungry sometimes, and I am because I haven't eaten, but then I don't feel like eating afterwards at all... I have to make certain that I go slow when I eat, to take my time, to enjoy it while I have it.

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

0. I was so tired that I think all that I wanted to do for a few weeks was sleep.

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

4 flintstones a day, 2 tums, 1 iron, B-12 shots monthly now, etc.

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 think the indigestion has been the worst part of it for me.

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

The being tired part and not being able to go, go, GO- like I wanted to..., to not be able to get out and do what I wanted... staying in bed- okay???

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

Winlife. It is very helpful and important. It's getting me to socialize with other people (as far as me keeping myself in for the whole time I felt bad with myself), it's getting me around people that know about what I'm going through to help me to understand what's happening to me, it's pretty great. It lasts for five years and is going to be a staple for me most likely...

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

It's a little longer than I had expected. It goes from the bottom of my rib cage to my belly button.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After the first couple of weeks I had a major plateau, I thought at the time. Anyway, it fixed itself with my consuming more and getting out of the house more...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, not really. I feel differently now. I don't feel as helpless, useless, or mad at myself now.