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

I started doing a little research about bariatric surgery after I watched a special on T.V. about Carnie Wilson. My first impression of the surgery was apprehension. But as I learned more about it, I felt that this was the only way I was going to be able to control my weight.

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

I was very pleased with the overall stay of my visit. The staff was very cheerful and helpful. I would have to say the only thing I didn't enjoy was the showers in the bathrooms are not made for tall people(It is very hard to bend @ the waist three days after surgery to wash your hair!) I went in for surgery on a Tuesday morning and was released on that Friday at noon. The only thing I can think of that you need to take with you is loose fitting clothes & slippers!

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

No, I don't believe I had any problems that are not common with surgery.

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 tired for the first couple of weeks and did a lot of sleeping, I was working @ home part-time after the first two weeks.

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

Lots of rest! I am a person that has to work, I had my computer brought to my house so I could sit at the computer for an hour or two a day and work. I don't know the meaning of doing nothing for 6 weeks. The biggest problem I had was getting used to the liquid diet for the first month.

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

I had to go about 250 miles for my surgery. It was very difficult after my surgery to sit in a car for 3 1/2 hrs to go home. I have a very supportive family that made sure that I made it back for my follow-up appointments.

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 month & a half, you are on liquids. I had a very hard time with anything sweet, even if it was with the sugar substitute. I could not stand them, and still prefer to stay way from anything on the 'sweet side', although my tolerance has gotten much better. I am at 4 months post-op and haven't found any foods that I cannot eat yet. I do have some problems with breads, pastas & rice servings.

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

you are supposed to walk for 30 minutes at least three times a week. It was very hard for me to get into that. I would have stomach strains if I walked too long. But now I have no problems. I am still not as active as I would like to be, but it gets better with each passing day.

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

In the beginning you take chewable vitamins. When you can begin solid foods, you can take a vitamin that is no larger than an M&M. You also have to begin taking Tums on a daily basis to get your calcium requirements. And because I have always had a problem with being anemic, I take an iron supplement.

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 think losing my hair has been the hardest on me. I try very hard to get my recommended daily allowance of protein, but it is a little harder since you can't eat as much at each sitting. My nausia & dumping is almost non-existant now.

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

Getting used to the new way of eating. There is a lot of trial & error with that.

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

I have not found a support group in my area yet. I feel that one would be very beneficial for the mental being of a person who has had surgery.

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

Very big, from my belly-button to about an inch & a half below my chest. Yes, this is what I expected, but I sure hope it becomes a little less noticable as time goes by.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not noticed any plateaus yet since my surgery 4 months ago.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, the people I know still treat me the same, which has always been well. I haven't notice a change in the way people walking down the street treat me either.