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

Met someone in the recovery room while waiting for my husband's surgery to be over. Thought it was an extreme and unnecessary thing to do -now realize that for those of us who are very overweight and have been so for years, it is the only real and lasting choice to make if you want to lose weight permanently.

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

OK - but the nurses would not help me get up to go the bathroom. I did not bother them and could tell the help would not be really forthcoming in this regard anyway. But in hindsight, it was the best thing they could have done because I think all the pushing and pulling myself up and out of bed helped speed along my recovery. All in all, the nurses were very pleasant to me and I am thankful for that. My surgeon was great - always there first thing in the morning, sometimes before 7:00am!. I was floored by that. One thing I can say about the nurses, my room was kept very clean and they were cheerful about changing the sheets and stuff.

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

Yes - I did not deal with it, my surgeon did.

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

DELIGHTED!!! I dealt wtih anxiety like this: I took a deep breath, told myself it was going to be OK and checked out the chat room at this sight whenever I needed advise because most of my family was not supportive. Most thought this was one of the most stupidest ideas I ever had - so you can imagine how much time I spend talking to them about this.

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

Take it easy, don't sweat the small stuff and fight the urge to clean and cook. Although my family thought this was a silly thing to do, they rallied around me: my kids did everything, my husband was dutiful with the kids and doing things for me and letting me rest all day and night, unhindered and my father and everyone was really concerned about my health. Just be good to yourself and rest your body. That is the best thing you can do.

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

two miles, if that.

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.

I could not eat meat, I had trouble with most fruit and even veges. I am seven months out - I can eat everything and try to avoid falling into my old bad habits - I do not drink high caloric drinks, my body still has a low tolerance to dense foods like red meat and veges like broccoli and such. For some reason, I can eat candy but get sick on occasions when I overdue it. Try to avoid that trap.

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

Low - I tired easily. I am getting better and think I am getting better because now I exercise 5-7 days per week.

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

Ursodiol and Rantidine - prescribed meds, Multivitiamin tablet - 150%DMR of Iron pills. I should be talking calcuim and magnesium which I will go to the stoe and get. Take those vitamins - it helps!

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?

Sleep disturbance was the worse for me after the surgery. That lasted about a month.

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

The wait to get approved.

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

A support group that meets twice a month - it is helpful but I rarely attend. I plan on being more active in it.

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

My scar is really big and not nice to look at - I expected it to look like this - I was not surprised.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I seem to be having a hard time going past 200 but I have faith that I will go under 200 and far beyond.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No I don't - I was told to watch for that but I am being treated the same way - which is not bad. My family is the same, my co-workers are the same and seemingly delighted to see me lose weight.