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

I first found out about the surgery, from a commercial on tv, for Bariatric Treatment Centers. They sent me a brochure and video, in which i read and watched the same day I recieved it. My first impression was that this is the answer that i have been looking for.

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 was kind of scary, to me, I was 2 hours away from home and none of my family could stay with me, just not enough room there. Some of the nurses aides, weren't very nice, at all, wouldn't help me get out of bed, except for the first time i got up after surgery, and took them forever to come if you called them. I was there for 4 days. The most important thing I had forgotten to bring and wish i would of would have to be a fan, it was so hot in the rooms.

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

I had a couple of complications, the first being that I was allergic to the antibiotics that they were giving me, which we didn't find out till i got home and started to take them by mouth, i immediately called the doctor after vommitting every time i took them, and they took me off of them. The other problem I had was the infection in the upper part of my incision, a week after my surgery, went to the e.r. and they sent me back to my surgeon who opened it back up and then told me to drain it and wash it 4 times a day with soap and water, and now finally after 8 weeks it is finally healed.

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 very nervous, and excited at the same time, unlike many others that had been researching this I had only just started about 3 months before i had my consultation, and the last few hours before my surgery i almost backed out, even minutes before and after I had many thoughts that i had just made the biggest mistake of my life, but after talking to many people especially my wonderful supporting husband, i remembered exactly why i did this, to have my life back!!!! I think the best way that i dealt with the anxiety was to talk to people that love me and even strangers i didn't even know on this site and they brought me back to reality.

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

The first two weeks were the worst for me, the pain was bearable, but the feeling of being helpless and uncomfortable were the worst for me, I have always been the one at home doing everything while my hubby works, but this time he was doing it all, and i would be laying on the couch. After I was able to get out of the house and start walking at the park about 2 1/2 wks. after surgery, i felt so much better, the more i walked the better i felt, and as soon as you are able to get dressed and you feel so much more like yourself, it helped me so much, to get out of the depression.

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

I traveled about 2 hours to have my surgery, so far it really hasn't affected my aftercare to much, but I have been thinking about finding a surgeon closer to my house to follow up with.

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

I am taking flinstones complete chewable vitamins x2 a day and 4 tums with calcium.

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

The not knowing exactly whether you were going to wake up from the surgery or not, I think that has been the worst part for me.

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

As of right now, I do not have an aftercare support group, I am approaching my fifth month post-op, and so far have had very much encouragment and support from my family, so far this is all i have needed, and hope that this will continue.

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

My scar is starting to thin out a little bit, no it is not exactly what I had expected, I thought it might be a little thinner and not quite so dark, I have trouble wearing thin white shirts as my scar shows through.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have only had one plateu, as of today, it was just a couple of weeks ago, I had weighed myself and the scale kept saying 200 lbs. and it would not be changing for over two weeks and i was getting very frustrated, until I remembered from my last visit to the dr. that my nutritionist told me that this would begin to happen as my body readjusted itself, and I weighed myself the beginning of this week and have now broke the 200 mark, and weigh 192!!!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are definetly treating me different, more people are talking to me and looking me directly in the eyes instead of in disgust, or at least that is how it used to feel. Everyone thinks that I look so good and have even noticed guys other than my husband looking at me.