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

Two of my co-workers had the surgery and I had made up my mind, God show me the way and I will do the rest.....................

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

The hospital stay was good. I work in the health care field and I was comfortable in the surroundings. I stayed 5 days in the ICU. I have diabetes, HBP,CHF, you name it, I had it. I did bring anything except my body. Because, you have no time to socialize, you are there for a reason, and the agenda is fast pace.

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

Yes, I did. Not really the surgery. My drainage hole, where the tube was got infected. I had to go back and have A&D. I was there the second time for 15 days, I also got staff infection. But, I would still do it again. NO REGRETS what so ever.

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

The soreness was so-so. I was so glad to be alive and was looking forward to all the things I could not do. I had anxiety the last few weeks, before I returned to work. But, I was feeling so much better and I wanted to do things and go outside and be a person for once in a long time.

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

Since my surgery was not lap, I was limited to everything. My doctor could not stress enough, how important it was to do as directed by him. Excerise, excerise, and excerise.

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

About 150 miles, one-way.

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.

liquids, liquids, liquids, strained soups, water, water, protein. Protein and water are the main keys to recovery and keeping healthy.

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

I did alot of walking. No lifting of any kind.

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

Protein, Flintstones with Iron 2 a day, Slo-mag, Calcuim, Prevacid, Effexor, Altace, Insulin 70/30

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?

Vomiting, I am not graceful at all when it comes to vomiting. Dumping, depends on what time I eat. I know that it might be a part of the after and before's of surgery.

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

The tube in the nose and when they pulled it out..................

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

My best friend from high school had the surgery 4 years ago. We talk and alot has changed in 4 years. My co-workers and Obesityhelp.com. And my faith in the good Lord up above.

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

it is long and a fine line. I had a bellow button hernia repair and hia hernia repair.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At 4 mos kind of a stand still and then you start losing again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have alot of complements now. I see my self smiling alot more