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

At work it was a customer who told me about Dr Haicken when I saw her DL I thought this is not you and she told me about the surgery she had and how she lost so much weight. I thought that is what I need to get my life back.

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

I had a good experience with Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater FL... I was there for 4 days. You must ask them to put a pillow under your legs before surgery. Bring things to read or do when you are in bed.

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

None all went well. Just remember to breathe deeply

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 excited.. Did not have any trouble since I knew it was gonna happen soon

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

They are very hard. Just do what the doctor says and follow the diet exactly. If you have trouble eating be checked for a strickture...

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

only about 2 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.

You will not be able to eat near as much as you did before surgery and you will try to but your belly will say no... Watch out for beef. NO NO NO NO NO sugar.... watch any kind of tomato sause. Things change daily with likes and dislikes in food. just go with what sounds good. Eat small amounts

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

very little.. you must take it very slow in the beginning however after that like 6 weeks.. start working on the toning. it is very hard.

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

multi vits, B-12 shots once a month, iron, urso, Pepsid, and now potassum.

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?

worst thing is the dumping that is pure hell. only happened once and i will never eat anything for that to happen again.

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

To never be able to eat sugar agian. But worth it to lose the extra pounds..

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

WE have the Bypass buddies at morton plant hospital and it is a god send. very helpful in many ways

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

Yes it is better then what I expected...only about 3 inches now after 10 weeks

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes.. they look at me differently..I look at myself differently and treat myself better as well