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

Through a commericial, I was at my last straw after trying unsuccessfully at dieting.

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

The hospital was fine. At first it seems like I should of stayed there another day but in retrospect it was the right amount of time. You are very thristy after surgery and I wasn't allowed anything so I'd say breath spray and lip gloss.

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

Not really, a small bump under a cut but that went away in about a week.

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 trilled, however, I ate way too much and gained more weight.

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

I was very depressed the first couple of days, probably cause I couldn't do much plus the pain medicine made me halluciate when I slept. Once I stopped the pain medicine I was fine. I would suggest you go without it if possible.

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

Not very far, maybe 15 miles at the most.

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.

For the first 8 weeks it was only liquid and semi-liquid. Now at 3 months, bread, meats and some vegtables still don't go down without major discomfort so I try to keep away from them.

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

I was ok, the only time was during menstration when I was very weak. My doctor has given my iron pills and that has help tremendously.

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

iron

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?

No real problem here either. The nausia thing was when I ate something that didn't agree with me I kept away from it. Thankfully, I didn't lose my hair.

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

The worst part was the draining tube that did'nt come out for almost a week. God I hated that thing.

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

Its available, but I don't use it.

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

I had the laposcopic, so I have about 5 small scares, you can still see them but I'm hopeful that in time they'll faid.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It seems every 20lbs. I reach a plateau, I don't deal with it well, its discouraging. I keep track of every calorie I eat daily and try to stay under 800 when I reach a plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, eventhough I've lost about 40lbs, no one at work has said anything so I don't think it's noticable yet.