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

I have friends who had the surgery. It took me a full year to decide to have it done. I would talk myself out of it over and over again. The diagnosis of hypertension was a wakeup call and I decided it had to happen!

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

I decided it would be better to die trying to change then to be a prisoner in a useless body for 30 more years!

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

My friends and even my family doctor have been so supportive. They have made me feel like I was doing the right thing!

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

So far my employer is being very supportive. I let you know how that goes later!

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

Most hospital staff treated me with respect and dignity. One RN had been through the surgery and she was a great help! Some staff however weren't so nice. I tried to help myself as much as possible as you would sometimes have to put your help light on as much as 4 times to get assistance. I begged the doctors to send me home early, and they finally agreed!

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

The office couldn't get me in on the tenth day for staple removal so on the eleventh day, my skin turned all red and I had to meet the doctor in the emergency room. They realized what was going on and fixed me right up! Also a string popped out of my incision which was a little weird, but Dr. Bruce clipped it off and it's been ok. My incision is about 14 inches long, because I had some hernia repair as well.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

My post op pain was well managed. The hernia repair gave me more trouble than the bypass because they pulled a lot of tissue from the sides to cover the area.

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

I got a big walking stick to help me get up and down. It also came in handy for turning on lights, moving things, etc. I went to the dollar store and bought kitchen tongs to use in the bathroom......... best idea I ever had!!!! Three weeks out of surgery the doctor gave me permission to fly to Florida for Thanksgiving. THe only restriction was NOT to swim.

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

I was lucky to have surgery in the town where I live.

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.

V8 juice sustained life for me for the first three weeks. Mashed potatoes were also a main diet staple! I felt like I needed protein so I ate some sardines. WOW! What a mistake! I got pain and hot flashes and it lated about 40 minutes. It crossed my mind that I would die on the john and the paramedics would wonder why I stripped all my clothes off!!!! I won't ever eat sardines again. Meat really bothered me for a while. Dr. Bruce told to wait a while and try again. Now at 8 weeks post-op, I'm doing much better.

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

It's getting increasingly better every week.

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

Flintstones with 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?

No vomiting, rare nausea, and a few bouts with dumping syndrome. My nails started to peel so I am eating more gelatin to help that.

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

Not doing it sooner.

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

I take good notes at the doctors office. The other patients can help you a lot!

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

14 inches and bright red! Let's just say my bikini days are over!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NO.