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

I thought that I was not a person that should have the surgery - I was unaware of the benefit to a person with Diabetes and high B/P. I was told about it by my daughter -she worked for the surgeon who did my procedure. I suprised the Dr. with my outcome - I was off all my medication two days after the procedure. Insulin R&N 150+ units, Gloucophage 1500 mg/day, Avandia 40 mg/day and on B/P- Monopril, Norvasc, HTCZ, also Lipitor - all totally gone.

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

I was in the hospital 4 days - my care was wonderful - the staff could not have been any more kind and compasionate.

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

I had no complications - I sailed through without any issues - I was very lucky.

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 take it a day at a time. my only complaint was being tired - but now at 11 weeks out - I am starting to feel less tired and I am back to work. I returned to work after 9 weeks and I have been fine.

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

you do need help for the first few days because you are weak and tired but I was out walking after the first week. by week 3 I was walking about 2 miles a day and felt good.

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

11 miles from home. I was not affected by travel.

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 was very cautious and still am - I did only soups and liquids for the first 2 weeks then moved on to pureed choices - about 3 weeks out I did very well with flounder, shrimp, crabmeat, yogurt, ricotta cheese, eggs, hot and cold cereals - now I can do salad, tuna, meatball, some pasta, and other healthy choices.

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

for the first 2 weeks very little - then I increased to walking 2 miles a day and continue walking.

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

multiple vitamin, calcium citrate - early post-op - 2 Flintstone chewables.

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?

none

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

I have no complaints.

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

monthly support meeting - with the neutrionist leading the program. everyone has been very helpful and we have a web site that is also very helpful...any questions - just ask and someone out there has had the same experience.

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

I had a Lap procedure and healed without any problems.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had any yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not at all. I was 252 pounds - everyone sees the weight loss but my goal was to come off my medication and I did.