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

This will sound stupid but here goes! I was in the waiting room of a hospital waiting to hear on my mothers condition (she had a triple bypass)when I was aprouched by an elderly woman who said to me "My dear your mother will be fine,but I want to let you know after your surgery you will do wonderful and look great." I looked at her and said you must have me confused with someone else. she said,"No I don't you will soon see what I am talking about." and she walked away. Now this woman bothered me badly she caused me many sleepless nights. And then it hit me to check the net for weight loss surgery! And I got my answer! I had never heard of it before but I was impressed to find out so many other people had. I knew from the start this was for me..a chance at a new healthier life!

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

I really did not have a problem. My dr. sent the letter about 6 weeks latter I called the Ins.to check on it and they told me they never recieved it they gave me a fax# to fax it to them. I then called Dr. office gave it to them they then faxed it and in five days I was approved!

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

It was in a group session. But the best advice i can give is write your ? down before you go because he gave me so much info I had to call and ask several ? later.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was never really a question for me. I was full speed ahead from day 1!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Dr. and I discussed it and decided which one was right for me.

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 will have my surgery in 12 days and fears are setting in. I have just started using this site and I am finding it very useful. I am however thinking of a living will just in case.

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?

I still haven't told the people I work with exactly what is going on. But preatty much it has been mixed reactions. At first they asked me if I was crazy to risk it. My reply was am I crazy not to! I told them how I was very unhappy with myself and how miserable I am and from then on they have been great support!

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

I still haven't told them exactly what I am doing. I have managed to get around it this far and hopefully can continue. I will be out of work for 4-8 weeks.

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

I was there for four days and I do not remember two of them! What I do remember is very important GET UP A WALK!!! You will feel ten times better when you do! Also the only thing I needed was personals and change of cloths to come home.

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

Well I do not know if it was from surgery or not but 3 months out I developed an bleeding ulcer which was very very bad I was hospitalized for 3 more days.

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 ready. It was always full speed ahead for me, the only anxiety I had was going into surgery and the drugs they gave me did away with that.

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

Do not try and over do it. Sit back and let someone else handle everything. Get comfy in a recliner with a good book and find a family member or a very good friend to play maid or butler! (LOL)

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

20 miles and no affect

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.

no suger,bread,meat,carbonated drinks,raw fruits and veggies. I basically lived on cambells soup.At about 3 months no suger,raw fruits and veggies,carbonated drinks,bread. At 5 months out only burnt or crispy bread and very little,no sugar,chicken and ground beef and ground sausage give me trouble, but other than that I am doing okay.

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

1-4 weeks I had no energy. My 5th week I returned to work as a resturant manager I was a little wobbley and had to take many breaks until about my 3rd month and it has been uphill ever since.

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

opti-woman(multi. vit.), b-12,calcium.iron

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?

nausia and vomiting was the worse for me and I still get it now at 5 months out when I eat to fast or it seems like when I start losing weight.

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

The first 2-4 weeks after. The pain and not being able to do for myself.

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

none as of yet I work alot but I also know 4 people who have had the surgery and I speak with them alot.

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

Actually mine does not look as bad as I thought. The other people I know that have had this done can not believe mine looks so much better than theirs

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am having one now I am 5 months out I have lost 100lbs. I have not lost any in about 3 weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

oh yes! When I go out now guys are actually whistling at me! People do not ignore me now when I am in a store or something. Also I just recently found out my boyfriends boss use to give him hell about my weight all the time and make fun of him and at his christmas party last month his boss liked to have past out when he seen me most of his coworkers did not recognize me at all, and alot of my friends too!