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

Celebrities who had the surgery, and the dramatic results they were having. I wondered if it was an easy recovery and if insurance would support such a procedure.

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

My hospital stay was great. I spent 2 days in the hospital, and went home feeling great. I had no complication from the surgery, except for a stitch holding my drain was too tight and tore a little bit of skin...that was the only pain I had after the surgery.

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 kept most of my feelings private. I did not share the idea of my surgery with any of my family except my husband and my mother. I felt (and have since found that I was correct in my expectations) that my siblings, father and grandparents would not be supportive or encouraging. I had 2 weeks form the time I was approved for surgery and when I had surgery. So, there was not a lot of time to ponder the questions. I did most of my research and inquiring before I pushed for a surgery date.

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

Don't try to do too much physical stuff for the first few days. Walking was a chore for the first 3 or 4 days, but after that I was shopping, driving, walking, etc. I returned to full time work (along with a 70 mile one-way commute) 10 days after surgery.

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

80 miles from my home to the hospital. Luckily my mother lives closer to the hospital, and I was able to stay at her house for the first week after surgery.

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.

After 4 weeks of liquid protein shakes, I started adding cottage cheese, soups, well-cooked veggies. I stayed with very soft foods for about another 4 weeks after the shakes. Then added raw veggies, and beans. I am still not able to eat any meat or only very small amounts (perhaps 1 oz) of salmon 1-2 times per month. No other meats, fish, poultry, or even tofu will stay in my stomach.

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

I took it easy with just walking for the first 3 or 4 days. After that, there were no limits. I did not want to lift anything too heavy for a few more weeks, but I really had no limitations.

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

Multi-Vitamin calcium iron B12

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 cannot tolerate dense proteins -- I vomit all meats up within about 5 minutes of trying even a small bite. This is frustrating, but if this is what it takes for me to get to a healthy weight, then so be it.

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

nothing!

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

Weekly group support meetings -- extremely important!

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

Because my surgery was done laparscopically, I have 5 small incisions - 4 of which are not visible 7 months after surgery. Only 1 shows as a scar. They are much less noticeable than I was expecting.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit my first plateau 3 weeks ago, and it lasted about 10 days or 2 weeks...and now I am back to losing steadily.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes -- people are nicer, and consider my opinions and comments more valuable and take me more seriously than previously