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

My aunt had the surgery 4 years ago with great success. I had always considered this the last hope, and I had reached that point.

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

My supervisor was supportive of my decision. I waited until about the surgery was approved and scheduled to tell her. (She is a RN), She was not surprised when I told her, because I had all these Dr appointments and told her I was going to have surgery, but she said I wasn't sick, so she had suspected that this was what I was going to do.

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

I was in recovery for 24 hours, because they didn't have a bed in ICU. I stayed for 5 days, if I had gotten up and walked more and breathed into the "sig-o-meter" thing, it would have been better. I hated the x-ray part, the orderlies think the wheelchairs are cars in the Indy 500. Standing up to do the test, with drinking that junk was so nasty. This was the worst thing about the surgery! The nurses were great. My roommate was not the best. She was a drug addict, who even had her drug dealer bring her meds to the hospital! A private room would be the better way to go.

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

No complications.

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 so excited, I couldn't wait to have the surgery. I actually graduated from college with my BA degree on the 9th of June and had the surgery on the 11th of June, so that also helped to keep my mind from dewelling too long.

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

I walked slower and bending over was a hassle. But just take it slow. I drove the first day out of the hospital (I also have a stick-shift). I don't recommend it unless you have to (I was), but I was able to. I didn't have any drainage right away after having the drain tube removed, but 3 weeks post-op I had a large amount of fluid to drain all at once, surprised me, but I was ok, once I found out it was blood! (it leaked at night).

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

The Dr's office is probaly 2 miles from my home and the hospital is maybe 5 miles away. My primary physician is less than a mile away.

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 didn't do the puree thing really. I ate a lot of low-fat cream of chicked soup, cottage cheese. I also ate "Hormels" chicken and dumpling dinner and "Kids Kitchen" Beff and Mac. I also made a "burrito" by melting motzarella cheese in the microwave, adding a small amount of no-fat refried beans in the center and cover with the melted cheese, then add a small of salsa. This was a great treat. I also found no surgar added Nestle Quick, so I have chocolate again! I ate this from week 2 through 4. I eat now soft foods, scrambled eggs, tuna with no-fat mayo. I also found veggy crackers in the Baby food isle, low in fat and carbs. I make chicken burgers by grounding up raw chicken and forming patties. I also grind up cooked chicken and add it to the cream of chicken soup to add more protein. I also add motzarella cheese to mashed potatoes (instant have less carbs than fresh), to add protein. I am able to eat beef, I eat hamburger patties once a week (this was a comprise with my Dr, who only wanted me to eat chicken or fish, but I don't like fish). I even have had steak, but it must be cut small and chewed up a lot! Green beans is the only veggie eaten so far, peaches and pears (no sugar added) are good. I haven't tried anything with sugar and don't intent to!

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

Low at first (I thought, but others were telling me I was doing too much). I have so much energy now, I even called by best friend the first time I walked a mile, to ask her if she noticed anything about my voice, she didn't understand. When I told her I had just walked a mile, she didn't believe me 'cause I wasn't out of breath!

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

In the first month 2 chewable childrens vitamins, 3 Tums X-strength, 2 Fer-Sol (Iron) pills, now instead of the 2 chewable vitamins, I take one adult vitamin, with the 3 Tums and 2 Iron pills. I have not taken any protein supplements. I get all mine in with chicken and dairy products. I just have this thing about having to take protein 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?

The only side effect, would be nausia, only get that if I eat wrong. If I don't chew up the food completely or eat or drink too fast. I get about 3 or 4 hic-ups if I eat or drink too fast. These still are happening (2 months post-op). If I get nausia, I just close my eyes and breath deeply, usually goes away within 5 - 10 minutes.

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

The way everyone who knew I was having surgery, checking me out, to see if I had lost all my weight yet. People think that once you have the surgery, the weight just disappears! I wish myself it would be faster, but 50lbs in 2 months is not bad.

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

Dr Haicken (Largo, FL) has a support group of his patients. Very helpful and good place to ask questions.

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

I tried not to look at it at first. I was afraid to touch it until my stiches were out. Now I don't mind showing it at all. It is about 4-5 inches long. But I also have another scar from the hernia they found wrapped around my colon during surgery. So I got 2 for the price of 1!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None so far. Some weeks are better than others. Once a month, it gets slower, but the next week just looks better.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I am being noticed more. People I don't know seem to be talking to me more. People in lines, etc... People who know I had the surgery are always checking me out to see if I lost more weight.