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

My doctor had brought it up and I wanted to do it right off the bat. However my insurance would not cover it. I had to wait to come up with the money.

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

The hospital was great. They have a whole wing dedicated to this surgery. I was there about 3 1/2 days. The care from the nursing staff. They were fantastic.

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

NO

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 upset that it was so far off. By the time I had gotten to that point I really felt I wouldnt make it the 3 months till my surgery. I don't know that I ever really coped with it. I knew it was out of my hands and nothing I could do.

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

I had one day of semi-painful when I sat up, but the nurses had given me a helpful way to roll to one side and then push up which was amazing how it reduced the pain. Day 2 at home I was up doing what I normally do with the exception of picking up anything over 5 lbs.

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

About 3 miles. Not at all.

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

I just keep getting better. Prior to my surgery I couldnt walk from my front door to the car in the driveway without being out of breath and waiting for 5 minutes to catch my breath, My husband was doing all the grocery shopping most of the housework, etc. Now I walk anywhere I want to go, exercising at the Y 3 days a week. Go anywhere we want to go.

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

I take a multi-vitamin twice a day and a b complex vitamin twice a day.

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?

Its been about 8 months since my surgery and I'm dealing with the vomiting, the hair loss is uhh but nothing I can do about that. Dumping sometimes takes me by surprise, cause it can happen all the sudden.

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

To be honest I went to one meeting before my surgery and one after. I enjoyed the meetings and the stories about others weight loss. But for me its a time issue.

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

My scar is terrific, not very bad at all. It was small after surgery and has widened a little bit since.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Oh gosh at about 5 months my weight loss fell off to fluctuating by 1 lb back and forth for about 2 months or so and has just now started back up. Dr. Clark had told me to change my exercise program around temporarily and then I could go back. In the last month though its back to like right after the surgery.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NO