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

I found out about it from a friend and I thought she was insane at first, until I started to reasearch it on my own and then I realized just how smart she is.

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

My insurance company is wonderful!!!

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

The first meeting was to the point. That made me feel comfortable and secure with my surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I can not breath, my back hurts, my knee is in constant pain. I need to save my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was the my doctor thought best 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 was so afraid of EVERYTHING before surgery but when I woke up in the ICU after surgery and I realized that I had lived through it I was OK. I now fear the complications that occur after surgery but I am sure that I will also make it through.

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 husband, family and friends were all wonderful. I do not know if I would have changed anything because the support I recieved was overwhelming.

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

Does not apply

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

I was in the hospital for 6 days. My first day was spent in the ICU with alot of tubes and I was VERY afraid. The hospital staff was WONDERFUL!

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 am only one week post op and I keep myself busy to deal with the anxiety.

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

I have moderate pain, reflux, and I am frightened to eat.

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

The hospital in which I had my surgery is 20 minutes from my home. This is the same distance I will have to travel for after care.

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.

Being one week post op I am eating liquids as well as baby food. I know that sounds bad but with a little salt it is fine.

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

I was able to sleep the first 8 days following surgery, I was in alot of pain. The 9th day was very different because I was able to get up and help calen my house. The 10th day I drove my kids to school.

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

I take one Tums for calcium and one chewable multi vitamin everyday.

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 do get an upset tummy every so often but nothing other than that

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

The PAIN and the NG TUBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

Still looking

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

I still have in the staples (29 of them) but it doesn't look that bad One year later and the scar is still very large but is now just a part of me just like my belly button

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I did not hit a plateau until now and I have been the same weight for several months now

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, some people are afraid of hurting me so they stay away and I have heard so not so positive comments but for the most part everything is fine.