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

I found out when my primary dr referred me to them, the appointment was a pleasant experience for me and the dr and his staff welcomed me with out being judgemental.

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

I received my approval without any problems from my insurance carrier.

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

It was a pleasant experience, but you really need to boneup on the questions you want answered.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was undecided because I really din't know if I was good candidate for laprascopic surgery, when I spoke with the dr he stated he would attempt the laproscopic but that depending on what he found once he went in it could change to an open surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After I saw the types of surgery, which were presented at the dr's seminar and after hearing what the dr had to say it was easy, as the dr tells you the type he preferrs and why.

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 did have the fear about what could happen in surgery even dying, but after I talked to the dr and with my health starting to fail and what the result could be. The choice was easy to make!

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?

Everyone was concerned that I should think longer about it and that maybe I should check other options. But once I explained to them that I already had and that this was my best option, they supported me in my decision.

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

They were very supportive, I work with the State Disability Office and I have have had clients that have had this type of surgery and I have seen both sides of the coin from the worst scenario to the best scenario. I knew what some of the complications they had suffered and I still made the correct decision. I was off of work for two weeks.

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

The basic fact is I don't like being in the hospital under any circumstances, but the facility is not the problem, it's just me. My stay was very pleasant and comfortable as far as the staff and the facility. I went in Monday morning and was released on Wednesday morning (2 days). Just take your basics, slippers, robe, personal toiletries.

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

I did have one of the incisions, bleed on the second day but the nurses controlled it with a pressure bandage and it was just drainage mixed with some blood.

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 time went by very fast as I was trying to get my work schedule and my home life and children ready for the changes. The anxiety didn't really hit me until 3 days prior to the surgery, but it was just minimal.

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

Learning to take everying slow, including drinking and sipping my soups. Sugar-free Jello became my very best friend and so did hot teas. Take the time to try taking it slow, prior to surgery so that it doesn't take you by surprise.

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

I only had to travel 15 minutes by freeeway from my home. It was a very short ride home and we just had to take the best roads available because some of them were bumpy and the jolts were not good.

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 week was hot teas, sugar free jello's, clear broths and soups, chew on ice chips. the second week I incorporated with yogurts, cottage cheese, mashed potates and some juices slightly watered down. I'm in my third week and have just tried potatoe soup mashing the potatoes, in my bowl.

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

First week was slow, taking little walks, second week I was able extend my walks down the block and do lite house work. I'm back to work in the third week and I'm walking a couple of blocks in the morning and in the afternnon to work, parking farther then normal to get my walking in.

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

I'm taking sugar-free chewable bugs bunny vitamins (3 times a day), Tums chewables two tablets a day.

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 no side effects from the surgery, the only time I was nauseated it was the first day in the hospital and it was due to my intolerance of the morfine I was receiving in my iv.

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

The pain and uncomfortable feeling of the staples. The feeling from coming out of the anesthesia.

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

I haven't really started any support groups yet, but I have been in contact by phone with some of my contacts that have had the surgery.

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

I have six little scars and they are three in a row just under my bra line and then two just above my belly button and one just below and to the left of my belly button. It is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm still working on it and I haven't reached a plateau yet, but I need more help and how and when to incorporate new foods and what order should they be in.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet, but they are making the comments like we are going to watch you melt.