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

A distant cousin of mine had it. She was always overweight as a teenager, and adult. She looked really good when I saw her a year after surgery. My co-worker at work was interested in having it done. We were the same weight and approx height. She found the surgeon and Obesityhelp.com. We did this together. We went to the Support Group together, and hearing everyone's success story sold us!

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

I had the Surgery at INOVA Fair Oaks. It was a wonderful experience. The staff from pre-op to post -op were fantastic. My Surgeon was wonderful too! I started surgery Monday morning, and I went home Thursday around noon. I brought scrub pants, (easy to take on and off), a robe, sugar free cough drops (if your throat is left scrtchy), and sugar free Snapple (helps get the Percoaset down). Slippers are important!!!! Or slip on sneakers because you need to walk!!!!!!

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

I didn't have any complications. When I woke up in recovery, I was experiencing muscle spasms. I was given medication and they stopped soon after. I was very itchy from the morphine, so I stopped that the first night and switched to percoset.

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 getting nervous with all the pre-op testing. I wanted the surgery badly. It helped to talk to folks on line or in the support group. I started walking daily 30 days before. Which helped with that stress. It also helped post-op, because I was in good condition.

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

I was very tired. I thought I'd have trouble with the steps but I didn't. I hired "Merry Maids" for every other week to assist with the cleaning chores. Once the staples came out, I felt much better. I returned to work after 2 weeks, but I went 1/2 days the 3rd week. Came home and took a nap. The 4th week I was back to full time. It's hard to keep hydrated so it's better not to plan all day outdoors activity for the first two months. Sugar free Ice pops helped during the first month. Also make sure you have your pill splitter, something to grind your meat. I also bought snack size bags, and 2oz tupperware containers and baby spoons. The most important tip* Buy the bra/tank top combination. My bra's cut right into the top staples, the tank top/with bra sure helped a lot. It also was a layer underneath the binder, so take them to the hospital too!

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

Not far...12 miles

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.

At first, I ate only ground/pureeed Items. I didn't have any problems the first month. (of course no sugars. bread rice) The start of the second month, I ate a 1/2 hard boiled egg. I vomited for hours. I had to call the Dr. He suggested two papaya enzymes. That helped it digest. I have difficulty with Chicken. I sometimes have to mix 1/2 tsp of meat tendorizer with warm water if I am vomiting. It appears to be because I didn't chew well enough. Take small bites, chew well...watch for slipperey foods (like mushrooms, cooked carrots, pickles) Now I can eat most anything and I can still eat only 4-5oz.

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

I attend the Northern VA Staple Club. We meet monthly. It's wonderful. I couldn't wait to share my experiences and bring in my 2x's to the clothing exchange.

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

My scar is going away. I'm 4 months out now and it's faded quite a bit. I used cocoa butter with Vitamin E on it twice a day. It's also a good reminder of my committment.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am at my first plateau now. It's disppointing but I read some ideas from the obesityhelp.com. I am adding more protein and increasing water intake to my diet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Well people are noticing I've lost 50lbs. They seem more concious about meal planning when we are going out together. I think everyone I know has been very supportive.