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

I bent over to pick up something on the floor and when I came back up I couldn't catch my breath and my heart was pounding. My husband told me that if I don't change my lifestyle now that I will die. I was furious with him. I went in the room and cried my eyes out. I called my mom and told her. I know that my husband wasn't being mean just trying to warn me. My mom said her best friends sister had gastric bypass surgery to call her and find out. I was so excited to do it. I looked into the process which for me ended up being very long.

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

My stay in the hospital went pretty well. My surgery was 7 hours included with recovery. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days because I kept throwing up my water and couldn't hold down jello. Most important to bring to hospital is slippers, deoderant, other hygene products. I was asleep most of the time because of the pain medicine. So it went by fast.

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

No, I was very fortunate. I have heard stories though.

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 in shock that I finally made it. I was sooooooo happy and excited. But the day of the surgery I was so nervous. I had never been put under b4. That was a huge scare for me. Once admitted into the hospital my fear and anxiety was stronger then ever in my life. Right before the anasthegeologist (how ever you spell that)hee hee. b4 he came in to put me under I was so terrified that I made the nurse get my mom and I begged my mom to take me home. I promised her that I would do it on my own. I will lose weight on my own. I will do what I can to stop eating. Well my mom knows me. So she helped calm me down and they put me under and b4 I knew it I was awake...... And thats a whole other story!

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

My grandma took care of me. I can't see it any other way. She was so helpful. She prepared all my little 2 oz. meals breakfast lunch and dinner. plain cream of wheat for breakfast. fat free cream of chkn soup for dinner and some cream of soup for lunch.

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

45 mins away.

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.

Off limits: fast food, fried food, sugar foods. Soda was probably the hardest for me. I didn't realize my addiction to it.

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

After surgery they make you walk. every 2 hours atleast 10 mins.

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

I have to take vitamine b12 1000 mg. 1x a day. 3 calcium pills a day and 2 multi vits a day.

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'd say hair loss has been extreme for me. Everday I have a hand full in the shower. It is slowing down. its not as bad as it was a few months ago. I hope it stops soon. vomiting occurs with new foods or chicken if I don't chew it good enough.

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

I refer to this website a lot. as far as support group I don't attend any. I am going to start soon with counseling. and I go once in awhile to OA. That helps me to understand my addiction to food. Cus believe me the impulse still creeps back in once in a while.

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

its pretty small. I had laposcopic so I have 6 small incisions.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It's been 6 months and I have hit a few little plateaus. my weightloss has slowed down.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

All the time. I get comments everyday. And people talk to me now who didn't b4.