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

about three years ago I heard a lady on tv talk about the different surgeries...at the time it was not widely known like it is now so I got on the internet and found obesityhelp.com and studied it for over a year before finally deciding it was for me

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

I had a terrific stay in the hospital, I was there 3 days, The Nurses were amazing they encouraged me to get up and walk they were the best said I was an "A+" Patient! I took Toothbrush, Pads (which I needed after surgery) chapstick, wetwipes, wood spoon, Robe and slippers

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

No I had none what so ever God has plans for me *s*

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

about three weeks out I felt depressed over food only lasted a few days seemed everyone around me was eating and i was on liquids was hard jus told them How I felt and they quit eating around me and it helped me out alot.

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

could not lay down comfortably in the hospial had a bariatric bed at hoem I didn't so it was hard getting comfortable, My ex motherinlaw stayed with us and she was the best she made me walk every so often she rode me but this is what was needed and thank God she made me or i don't think I would have done it

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

maybe 5 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.

The first month was on liquids then soft foods for a few weeks and Pureed a few weeks after this normal food I could eat about anything the first four months I would eat to fast and get food stuck and I still do that to this day ya would think I would learn... at 4 months Post op i dumped on Chinese and have dumped on various food since then Depends if I am losing weight if I am losing weight will dump on fat and sugar f not I can eat a lil more of it JUST DEPENDS!

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

I was more active 4 days after surgery then I had been years before surgery

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

I take 2 Flintstone Vitamins and a b12 pill (sometimes take shots)

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 had dumping at 4 months and Major hair loss it finally stopped about 14 months out now its thicker then ever

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

The waiting was the WORST never thought the day would get here now I am over two years out and its wonderful

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

In Tulsa I had a wonderful one Dr Gorospes group was the best ...when I moved to nebraska took me almost a year to find one here and I go to one at UNMC it is ok But i depend on Obesityhelp.com chat I have made tons of POST op friends in the last few years and we have been through alot of the same surgeries and they have helped me through alot

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

my RNY scar faded almost completely gone now that I had my tummy tuck its completely gone

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I never really knew i was ona plateau I weighed once every three months therefore i would not get depressed if i hit a plateau

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes ...the job I have now i would not have gotten being BIG...regardless what people say we are judged on what we look like it is not right but it is how it is