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

MY PRIMARY DOCTOR---I THOUGHT IT WAS A QUACK PROCEDURE.

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

My Hospital stay was pleasant. From 6am (Jan 6th) to 8am (Jan 8th). Tooth Brush

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

NONE

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 counting the days. I was ready and was glad when Jan 6th came. There was no anxiety.

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

Two fisted drinker. Water in one hand and a protein drink in the other.

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

14 miles

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.

first 3 weeks only liquids. next three weeks to present mostly sodt foods. No sweets, no fried food, no pizza---I have found plenty to keep me from not being hungry. Still drinking water and proteinwalking on treadmill

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

walking on treadmill---started at 5 minutes now up to 30 minutes

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

Centrum 2 aday and B12 complex

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?

waiting for my date

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

my family--co-workers

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

I had 4 insessions----3 small and one about 2 inches long. If you didn't know about the surgery you wouldn't know what the 3 small ones are. The bigger scar is fading.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

NONE

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

they are supporting me--not differently