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

I found out about bariatric surgery through the news and magazines. My initial response to having surgery for weight loss was NO WAY would I ever do that!!!!

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

My stay was uneventful. The bed was awfully uncomfortable but for only 3 days out of my life I will not complain. I was admitted on Thursday morning and discharged on Sunday morning. The hospital was great about providing what they thought you might need. The first couple of days I slept alot but the last day or two magazines and/or newpapers helped to pass the time. Slippers and a robe are very necessary, no one wants too see the moonlight when your walking the halls!!! Pillow(s) from home were a much needed item for me. I found the beds to be very uncomfortable and I could not have enough pillows.

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

I had not one complication!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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 did not have much anxiety, just a little fear and very much ready to lose the weight.

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

I went back to work 2 weeks to the day after surgery. I would not recommend this too many people as everyone is different. I did fine, just very sore the first few days back. I have a wonderful job and work with wonderful people so I was able to work at my own pace and worked a full week right off. I had trouble sleeping at first as it was very uncomfortable and I could not sleep in a bed for about a month comfortably. Just took it very easy and did fine.

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

About 35-40 minutes. (38 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.

My diet for the first 21 days was liquids and very liquidy foods.(Jello,runny mashed potatoes,crystal light,runny malt-o-meal,refried beans watered down) For the next 21 days it was soft foods only. (thicker mashed potatoes,oatmeal,string cheese,beans w/sour cream) After the first 45 days or so I could eat a small amount of most everything I tried. The only foods I have found in the 6 months after surgery that I could not tolerate were beef jerky and cornbread. The beef jerky was recommended by the doctor as a source of protein and I will never eat it again for the rest of my life!!! The cornbread just went right through me probably because of the sugar.

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

I was very lucky with this. I felt great with good energy. I do get tired easier now although it is nothing to complain about. I walked alot when I came home and I thing that helped. Even if I just made a couple of passes around my culdesac it was energizing. As I said I was able to get back to work after only 14 days and I think that helped tremendously on what my body was willing to do.

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

I take a Multi from Trader Joes (Chewable Gummy Bears are easy on the stomach), Iron (Ferrous Sulfate 365mg), Biotin and Zinc (for bone strength and hair and nail health), Vitamin B-12 once a week (dissolves under the tongue) and a chewable calcium (Viactiv or a store brand are great).

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?

My biggest issue has been with the hair loss. I have lost probably more than half my hair. I am lucky that I had alot to begin with. I am still losing alot and have not noticed any change and it has been 6 months. I had some nausia and no problem with vomiting at all. I did have a couple of dumping episodes and that was more from how fast I ate and not from what I ate. This is very important I have found too take your time when eating no matter what it is and too follow all direction about not eating and drinking within at least a half hour of each other. Coping is easy for me as I realize I made this choice for a reason and there is always a price.

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

The waiting for my surgery date was tough. There are alot of appts that must be kept for tests etc. All the questions people ask and the negative reactions were not an easy thing either. But all in all I have had a very positive outcome with my bariatric surgery experience.

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

I have only been to 1 support group meeting that was local in my city and all the participants had had a different type of surgery than me (Malabsorptive as compared to my restrictive) and I heard several negative comments about how the surgery I had has alot of weight re-gain etc. so I have not been back due to the negative opinions. My aftercare has been with my primary doctor and since I have been doing so well I only see him every couple of months or so.

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

My scar is not at all what I expected. About 5 inches and my doctor used Dermabond instead of stitches or staples on the outside and what a difference I believe that has made in it's appearance. I am very pleased with how it looks and have been using an over-the-counter scar minimizer that works wonders.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been steadily losing about 14.5 lbs a month and have not seen any change yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

WOW, what a loaded question!!! I have seen a huge change in the way strangers treat me. My friends and family don't treat me any different except for the constant comments on how great or beautiful I look and I am not complaining about that. I get alot more attention from men too. My husband has noticed that too and I see the "Green Monster" alot more that I have before. My husband has always loved me for me, but I can say the sex has been great lately!!!