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

A friend had the surgery and did very well.

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 over-night. Had surgery on a Monday and went home on Tuesday morning. I was up every two hours walking the hall all night long. This was a requirement of my doctor.

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

I had no complications from my surgery. Praise God!!

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 not anxious about the surgery. I did very well and I am still doing very well 85 pounds gone for ever.

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

The first few weeks were hard. Mostly the walking and not getting enough rest. My doctor makes you walk every two hours night and day which makes it hard to rest.

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

My surgery was in my home 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.

I can eat most anything if I chew well enough. I stay away from dairy products and most dense beef, steak is hard to get down. Other than that I do well with most all foods.

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

I had to walk every two hours the first 6 weeks, and use the incentive spirometer every hour or two, but it was all worth it.

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

I take chewable vitamins and calcium.

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 still at 6 months have nausea if I eat to much or too fast, but if I lay down and stretch out for about 30 min. it goes away. I have just started to notice some hair loss the last few weeks, so I have started to increase my protein and I am taking some vitamins for hair and nails.

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

The pre op diet my doctor makes use loose at least 10% of your weight before he will do the surgery.

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

None and I wish there was one!

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

My scar it fading but still very present.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been loosing slowy, but steady. I know I need to increase my exercise to increase my weight loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, everyone seems so much more friendly now, but maybe it is me who has changed and not everyone else!