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

I've known of it since I was a small child.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

Most family and friends, though concerned, were very supportive. After surgery my lifestyle changed and I lost a lot of friends. I became more confident. I tried more things. My friends didn't approve.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

I was out of work for 5 weeks. My supervisors were supportive.

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

My stay at the hospital was fine. Most of the staff was wonderful. I had 1 nurse that was a problem. As soon as I brought it to the attention of the head nurse. The problem was moved to another area on the floor and no longer attended to me.

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

There were no complications.

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 felt great. Relieved even.

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

Make sure you have a way to help yourself out of bed. I'm single and didn't always have someone to help me sit up. My mother did stay with me. But, in the middle of the night if I needed to move I needed help. I tied a rope to the foot of the bed and slid it through a vacuum clean tube. Then tied the other end of the rope to the foot of the bed. This way I could pull myself up. Tell people in your home to be careful of what they eat in front of you. I flipped out on my cousin one night while she was eating potato chips.

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

Not far. Just across town.

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.

It took a year before I could eat solid meats. like hamburger, steak. Rice is still a problem. No ice cream still.

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

I walked the neighborhood. It was a small circle. But, it was a start. I was very tired after the walks.

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

I take a multi-vitamin/mineral and b12 tabs.

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?

dumping was the worst and still is. I wish I could still vomit. I did have some hair loss, but a little protein helps.

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

Gaining the weight back. Oh and the PAIN!!!

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

This is very important. But, I didn't have a support group after surgery. I'm now in therapy for compulsive overeaters.

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

Well, my scar is wider than I would have liked. But, my stomach was so big that it stretched the scar. It is from breast bone to belly button.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateau's starting happening at 1.5 years. Then the weightloss stopped the at 2 years the weight started coming back.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People treated me differently after I lost the weight. But, I acted differently as well. But, I loved the attention.