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

i first heard of it on Discovery health. then i started doing research online. found out alot of information, and knew it was for me. without a doubt would help me tremendously.

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

i was in Piedmont, in rock hill, sc. my stay was only 1 night and was released the next afternoon. was up walking about 3 hours after surgery. most important things to have are: a robe, so u can get up a walk. slippers, so u don't have to try and put on tennis shoes. your own toothpaste and toothbrush. really that's about all u really need..a book in case u want to read.

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

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 few weeks after was rough.. only liquids was hard, especially when u watch other people eat. i did cry a few times, wondering if it was the right thing to do. but going to the dr. and seeing the weight fall off was a real plus. it helped me get through it.

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

soreness..for the first week or so. but not bad enough to keep u from getting around. sipping alot to try to keep hydrated.

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

i didn't really travel after..besides going to walmart and places like that.

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.

first week was sugar free clear liquids. 2nd week was full liquids..still sugar free. milk is the biggie here. 3rd week was mushy foods. 4th the same. 5th week.. u can start adding things back in..little by little. until u can find what u can and cant tolerate. bread, untoasted, is hard to tolerate. and sugar..natural sugars are ok, but added sugar is bad.. makes u cramp and feel sick.

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

walking, not too far, but walking really helped with the soreness. after about a week or so i was back chasing the baby!!

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

i take a generic multi vitamin. also take pepcid ac.

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?

never really had anything, unless i overeat or eat something that doesn't agree with me. best to just lean back and breathe deep. that seems to help. or i end up with dumping, which isn't fun at all.

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

i never went to a support group. my friend had the surgery done a month before me, so i guess u could say she was my support group. it is helpful to have someone to talk to, share recipes and talk to when u need it.

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

i have 6 incisions, 5 which are less then 1/2 in long. and 1 that's about 3/4 inch long. it's actually better then what i thought it would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

well, i lvled off at about 171 lbs. for about 6 weeks.. then i started loseing again. now down to 165.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

people treat me alot differently. i notice people that wouldn't even look at me before, now talk to me. employment seems to be easier to get without my weight too.