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

I knew of a couple people who had very good success with it. I knew it was right for me.

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 awful quick. I didn't mind though. I was only there 3 days. The most important thing to bring would be family.

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

No complications at all.

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 so anxious that I had to increase my anti-anxiety medicine. I was a total wreck. I kept thinking there was going to be a reason for my surgery not to go through. It went so well, I worried for nothing.

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

I experienced some degree of pain, but learned to deal with it quickly. The first few weeks home were kind of scary. Getting enough fluids was the hard part.

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

120 miles...no affect for my aftercare. Just sometimes hard to get to the support groups.

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.

Chicken has always been hard for me. I guess it's just too dry. I tried EVERYTHING at first. I had to learn the hard way not to eat sugar or foods high in fat. Also was very painful to overeat. I pretty much just stick to the same diet I started solid foods on.

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

I had to wait 10 days before I could go back to aqua fitness just because of the incision. I felt well enough and had plenty of energy.

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

I take a woman's multi-vitamin, B complex, calcium citrate and an iron supplement. I also drink a lot of Atkins shakes.

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 really didn't have a lot of side effects. Just once in awhile when I would eat the wrong foods. Even the hair loss isn't that noticeable.

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

The waiting. Definitely the waiting.

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

We have a support group that meets once a month. It's sometimes hard to get to since it is 120 miles away. I think it's very important.

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

My scar is beautiful. My Dr. did such a good job. It's so perfectly straight and already fading.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was on a plateau at 10 months out. I just now started losing again. I had lost 125 lbs and quit for awhile, but now it's starting to move downward again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, definitely. People actually make eye contact and even conversation with me.