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

I had heard of it, and thought the blues traveler dude looked weird, but it made him happy. I was skeptical about what would happen to you in years to come. What kind of long term effects would happen because of this choice. I dont think about that much anymore since I had the surgery.

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

Bring comfortable clothing. A fan really helped. A razor was nice. The hospital was a hospital. Nurses and technicians scheduling your existence with poking, prodding and test taking. Not much fun.

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

I ate green jello to test my pouch. Guess what my J tube bubble was filled with green jello. I couldnt eat again for 8 days. Then we did the xray of the pouch and it was healed. No that wasnt fun either.

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 feeling so crappy I didnt much care, the hospital was depressing so I was glad to get home. The only real anxiety I felt was the thought of going back to work.

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

Mine wasnt much fun. I had to do 3rd stage nursing on myself. I ran different IV fluids into myself all day long thru my tubes. I had quite the schedule of TPN, and other wonderful elixers. I was very glad to get that over. Basically the first 6 weeks REALLY sucked.

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

NOt far at all and it didnt affect my after care.

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.

Month 1 jello and popsicles only. Month 2 emer gen c and peanut butter only. Month three solid foods. Mostly Thai and Chinese. Still had and continue to have at times frothing with dense proteins like chicken. I dont think I will ever eat yogurt, cottage cheese or other dairy products for a long time.

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

Could hardly move but made myself go outside and do laps around my back yard. Now I go to the gym and lift weights along with doing cardio.

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

I do not use vista vitamins. I take higher absorbancy vitamins, I drink emer gen c every day. I take calcium tablets, iron capsules, multivitamins, and b12 lozenges every day. I also use a 10 gram protein shake with other vitamins and nutrients in the morning mixed with flax seed oil, emergenc and water.

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 am captain frothboy. I tend to throw up mucous alot after meals or during meals. I have really had to learn to eat slowly. It always comes out my mouth instead of the other end. The cleaner the food is the less chance I have of frothing.

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

So far its been the fatigue and vomiting. I have a fairly physical job. Some nights I come home at 7 pm and fall on my face in bed till the next morning. Also the keytosis in your mouth is pretty foul. Thats why I drink emer gen c all day tho. I dont taste that anymore. My sense of smell is no longer ridiculously acute. That really sucked. People would walk by after eating garlic and I would start dry heaving on the spot.

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

We have once a month live support groups and a once a month internet group. Its ok, most of it is kind of stupid though.

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

I have 6 small scars from the laproscopic job. I like having that instead of a zipper.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My weight loss slowed down in the 3rd month. I have to exercise more now than before.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yep, women are talking to me again. I like that =)