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

I went to the doctor due to the Flu and asked about weight loss options - she told me about this

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

I had no problem with pre-approval - I use Tricare and they are amazing

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

the first visit was so informative - it is there he tells you everything - no holds barred. The good the bad and the ugly. You can get the most out of the first meeting by being informed enough to ask the questions that matter.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Meeting the doctor for the first time and seeing results and comments of his other patients

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

research, research, research

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

I had no fears. My mind was made up

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?

my kids were a bag of mixed feelings - my husband worried that I would die or that he didn't do something for me that would have avoided all the weight gain. I never told anyone else I knew

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

I never told my employer

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

The stay was as good as being in a hospital could be. I was there 3 days and slept for the first 2

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

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?

I was excited and could not wait to get it done.

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

I was in pain for the first 2 days home - hard to get up - I slept on a recliner and that made it so much easier. I was able to move around so much easier after about a week

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

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.

I was on liquids for 3 weeks - Protein shakes - broth, cream of wheat, lots to drink etc. - I could not eat solid food for about 4 weeks and truthfully - I didn't want any thing. In the weeks following - everything started to heal and I could eat tuna salad, chicken - everything even after 7 months has to be moist or you regret eating it.

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

I was not very active the first days - once the discomfort faded more and more - it became easier to walk - and I walked everyday about 6 times - I healed so much faster.

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

I took Flintstones multivitamin for weeks - it's what was tolerable and suggested by my doctor - now I take Bariatric advantage - made just for bariatric paients

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 had hair loss about 4 months after surgery - I thought I would be bald -this greatly upset me. I bought biotin shampoo and scalp treatment and took biotin and it seemed to work after about 2 weeks

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

I cannot say there was a worst part - I can't say the pain is pleasant - but my husband says "pain is weakness leaving the body" I am no longer weak and I can climb steps and get on rides :-)

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

I was going to Dr. McDevitt's support group each month as well as using online resources - I just moved to Tampa, FL and I have not found a "Live" group yet. This is so important to talk to people who go through what you did.

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

My scars are fading and they are no worry to me at all

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

no plateau yet - Thank you GOD!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes - I started to loose weight and more cakes and donuts showed up at work - they were mad at me it seemed - now that I moved and don't know anyone - I can start fresh.