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

From ny PCP and my first impression was "I need to have more information"! I was very interested.

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

My experience was good, I had no problems with getting approved. I just made sure that I had all the information needed to get the approval before submitting the info. I also was very educated on the procedure and with my medical history and I was ready for the insurance company should they have any questions.

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

My first meeting was very successfull, we discussed the criteria for the sugery and whether or not I was a candidate. Be prepared with questions that you may have - don't be afraid to ask questions. This is something that is very important and you need to be well informed.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My main reason for the sugery was for my health, I was tired of feeling bad all the time. Also, I guess it was the fact that after all this time I cound lose the weight and have a normal life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I left that up to my surgeon, I felt that she was best qualified to make that decision, although I was well informed about the procedure.

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?

The morning of the surgery I almost backed out - reason being, I was just plain scared. I never had any fears about death or anything that drastic but I was nervous about the procedure. My biggest concern was not being able to eat anything afterwards.

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 parents were not supportive at first, they were concerned about the actual procedure and what could happen while I ws in the OR, but after they realized how sure and positive I was they soon came to terms with it. My husband on the other hand was supportive at first but since the sugery he has had a real problem with being jealous and insucure. He has had a hard time adjusting to the new me.

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

They were supportive and let me have the time that I needed to recoup. I explained wha I was having done and my reasons as to why I had chosen this procedure. My time away from the job was approx. 3 weeks.

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

My stay was ok - what do you expect from a hospital stay. It was boring after I had come around enough to stop the pain meds. My stay in the hospital was 4 days. There is nothing really important to take, my hospital was very accommodating to me as to anything I needed.

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

Like I said earlier the only complications that I had was the hernia but these are very common. No other significant 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 felt relieved and anxious. I was just happy o finally be getting it over with.

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

I was glad to be home - it seemed like I had been gone for years. You should expect to feel very tired and have low energy. You will need alot of rest those first few days - then you will start to get your strength back and the sooner you start moving about the better.

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

About an hours drive from my home.

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 only thing that I have noticed that I can't eat now is red meats, sugars and spicy foods. My tolerence for foods came on slowly. At first I could only tolerate soft foods and liquids, this changed bit by bit until I could eat solids.

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

My level of activity was very low at first but I quickly became able to take walks and start a light exercise program.

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

Just a children's multi vitamin. At my last visit I received a B12 shot.

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?

My biggest side effect was hair loss - this lasted for quite a while. My hair has just started coming back within the last 6-8 months.

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

The scar - but as I look at it now (it is almost non noticible now) I thank God, because what caused that scar saved my life.

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

I have no group support at the present time, although I am in the process of starting a group as there are several people in my community who have had the sugery.

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

My scar is almost non noticible (I wore a bikini this past summer at the beach and enjoyed the looks). As far as what I expected, I don't know what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not lost any weight in the last 8-10 months, I have maintained very well, but I have just started a exercise program and hope to drop another 10-15 lbs. i have had times of non weight loss but I have just accepted it and kept going, knowing that it would come off.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely, now that i am thin people are much mor attentive to me and men are more courtous and the comments are very different.