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

i found out thru research and the help of my husband he deals with a lot of customers (sales) and he was speaking to a few women and men that had the surgury and said they have been doing great.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was very calm, i would suggest bringing someone with you because you will forget alot of the questions you need to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have this surgury because i did not want to be overwieght anymore and i wanted to be around for my children and not be able to see the graduate or get married

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, besides the pain i was well taken care of the staff were great. I stayed in the hospital for two days. the most important thing to bring is a robe and slippers so you can walk the hallways and better toothpaste.

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

no complicationsthe

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

the weeks after i got my surgury date was much i was getting nervouse but i kept myself busy and it went by quickly

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

my first few weeks home from the hospital we tiresome the first week i was week but i was determined not to let me down i continued walking around my house after the third week i started walking my daughters to school.

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

i live in north kingstown and my hospital was in north providence it was about 20 min.

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.

The first weekend i was home i was sick i had a sinus infection but i still drank my protien shakes for a view days then i went onto soup and cottage cheese and yogurt. couldn't eat much but it stayed down the following week i tried egg beaters that was not good for me it gave me terrible pains in my stomach so i put it off for a few weeks i tried it again still cannot tolerate it. i ate slowly try to avoid carbs and sugar

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

my activity level went up after the second week i pushed myself and by the 5th week i started going to the gym every other morning and now am going to the gym every morning and i feel great

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

i take a caluicim chewable and a centrum and a b12 tablet every evening also for constipation i take a fiber tab 2 times a 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?

the first week for sleep was horrible i could not get comfortable, dumping experience i did twice which was my fault because i ate to fast and too much. i vomited only 2 times the first night i was home from the hospital and maybe two weeks later from eating to fast.

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

asking my self if this was the right thing i did to myself and finally came to reality that it was and i have to get over this hill and i did with the help of my husband and family and friends

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

I go to a once a month meeting with post-op and pre-op people at the hospital where i had my surgury. i find it to be very helpful and i bring my best friend and she helps me through the rough times when i just want to give up

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

i realy don't have a scar but you can play connect the dots on my chest from previous surguries i have had

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i have experienced 2 plateaus so far not a big deal just go on and keep trying eventually you will get back to losing the weight and don't give up

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

i noticed i am being noticed by men more and i am really not treated any different