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

I work for a health insurance company and I knew about the surgery but was afraid at first. There were a couple of people I knew of that had passed away from this. This was when it first came out. Things improved a great deal over the years. I got the point I wasn't losing but gaining and had to do something.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

Make sure you have all pre-op things done before your surgeon submits your pre-determination. This will help prevent any delays in getting approved.

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

My very first visit was a consultantion and a short class on the bypass. It was very educational. The staff then went over the guidelines that had to be done BEFORE I could be placed on the surgery schedule, etc.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Not happy with myself. Felt unattractive, couldn't do things with my daughter.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor. He educated me on the bypass and the LapBand.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

Family has been extremely supportive. There are some friends that are no longer my friends. I don't know if they are jealous or feel threatened because I have lost the weight or what it is.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

My supervisor was supportive.

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

I was only in the hospital for less than a day. My surgery was at 1:30p and I wet home 9am the next day.

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?

Excited, scared, anxious.

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

You're going to be tired at first. Your body has gone through surgery. Take it easy and don't over do it. Try to walk a little each day and slowly increase the distance. FOLLOW YOUR DOCTORS INSTRUCTIONS!!!!

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

two hours

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.

The first two weeks was a full liquid diet, then pureed foods for two weeks, soft foods for two weeks, and then normal foods. There were some restrictions on food for "x" amount of time. Each surgeon is different so do what they tell you.

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

Normal.

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

Calcium, Biotin, Protein, VD, Multi Vitamin

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 did experience some hair loss but nothing major. I actually had a new "do" done four months after surgery to help with it and now it's coming back. It just thinned out.

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

When I can, I do drive two hours to go to support group meetings. Due to my work schedule it is difficult to attend. I am currently attending a weekly group called First Place through a church. I am using that as a support group for now. However, I am still searching for groups that deal with WLS closer to om.

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

I have five incisions. Most of them are small and you can't really see. The biggest one is where my port is.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

You're going to have those. Frustrating as it is, it happens; especially after you have lost most of your weight. Don't give up and hang in there.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Some are glad I had my surgery and some don't want to be near me because of it.