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

My cousin had the surgery about 3 yrs. ago. My first impression was, I can't wait to have it done.

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

The hospital stay was great. Just listen to the nurses and Doctor. My stay was 3 nights and 4 days. Things to bring: tooth brush and tooth paste, hair brush, robe, change of clothes for the trip home, reading material, a phone card.

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

God was watching over me thanks to him I had no complications.

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 first week I was pretty tired, but each week gets better. I am now 4 weeks post-op and I feel great. I have lost 29lbs. I have'nt really had any anxiety.

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

You will feel tired. It will be hard to shower at first, but by the second week it was alot easier. You might need some help. Just remember to go by what your book tells you to do. Try to do some walking. I did't do much for awhile. If you are given a binder to wear make sure you have someone to help you put it back on after you shower. The binder feels so much better on it holds everything in place. I just took things slow. Make sure you breathe out if you need to when getting up out of the chair. It helps with the soreness you may have. I also slept in our recliner for the first two weeks then I went to the couch with lots of pillows behind my back and head. I am now in bed, but it is still a little hard to roll over. I still can't sleep on my stomach yet. Just take it 1 day at a time and it will get better.

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

We were lucky. The Barix's Clinic was about 1hr and 15min away. On the way home my doctor wanted me to stop and walk for a few minutes to move my legs.

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.

Week 1 was clear liquids only. (chicken,beef,vegtable broth,100% fruit juice diluted 50% with water, water 64oz. a day,sugar free jello) Week 2 and 3 full liquids. (all the above and add: sugar free pudding, cream of soups strained,protein drinks,carnation instant breakfast,skim milk,abba drinks)Week 4 and 5 pureed foods. (mashed potato's, cottage cheese mashed,anything you can puree in the blender to a thin consistency) Week 6 soft foods. (cheese,vegtables fully cooked,fruit, tuna, things that are really soft. Week 7 regular foods but chew really, really good and go slow. Foods off limits will be anything with high sugar content and high in fat. Cake,donuts,pie,candy,some drinks unless sugar free. I have't been able to eat much food yet, but my husband had the surger 6 months ago and he can't tolerate things that have alot of sugar alcohol in them. Sometimes if he eats things high in fat it goes right through him.

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

When you first get home the Doctor just wants you to walk 30 minutes a day in 5 minute sessions so you don't over do it. As the time goes by you can do more things.

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

Starting week 2 I take 2 flintstone chewables a day and 2 pepcids. When you start on regular foods you will take a prenatal vitamin for the rest of you life.

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?

So far I have not experienced any of these problems. I do know it you get all you protein in the hair loss should not be as bad.

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

For me it was day 1 and 2. I have never had surgery before so I was't sure how I was going to feel. I don't remember the day of surgery hardly at all. I remember feeling really dry mouthed and sleepy from the pain killers. Day 2 I was't sure what I got myself into, but now I'm glad I did it. Day 2 was hard because you had to get x-rays done to see if there were any leaks around your stomach so you had to drink this really nasty stuff. If everything looked good you started to take your medications by mouth. After that it got easier.

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

We go to a group in Gahanna Ohio. It helps out alot because you can talk to people who have had the surgery.

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

My scar starts right below my breast and goes straight done to right above my belly button. I expected it because my husband had the surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have'nt had one yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I hope they will soon.