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

Through friends, on TV. I was curious but hesitant.

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

My insurance provider what changed right at the time I had my initial visit with the surgeon. It was frustrating trying to get the right cards and addresses straightened out. The provider took their good ole time making the decision to cover the surgery and I had to make frequent calls to them right up to less than a month prior to surgery. I would advise people not to give up and "the squeeky wheel gets the oil" keep calling them till you get the response you want.

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

Our first visit (my husband and myself) with the surgeon was wonderful! We were there a good 3 hours, watched a video, and then had our meeting with the doctor, all questions were answered. No feeling of being rushed out of the meeting was given.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The final decision for me was when my family doctor put me on Glucaphage for diabetis in addition to the hypertension medications.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I am acquainted with several other healthcare workers that have had the proceedure and are 5-6 years post-op doing well. I also researched WLS online and printed off a lot of information to read.

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 only fear I experienced was the Epidural and I allowed them to talk me into have one. I will not do that again as I have adverse reactions to narcotics.

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 as supportive and continues to be as he knows all about me. My family were thrilled and happy for me, supportive. Some of my co-workers were apprehensive and still are. Many times people only hear the negative about Bariatric Surgery and don't have the opportunity to witness or hear the positive.

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

My employer/supervisor was very supportive, gave me the 8 weeks off work that I needed. I did make stops into work and was received with hugs and good wishes, all wanting me to come back when ready and able.

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

My stay in the hospital was in my opinion very well. I was hospitalized for 9 days. My surgeons normally keep their patients 6 days and do an upper GI with barium to check for leaks prior to discharge. I was in a little longer due to a reaction to the medication in the epidural. The hospital is like the one I work in, with being staff challenged at times. The nursing staff were very good and professional.

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

Nope!!! No complications from the surgery.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Anxious, wanting to get started on my new self. I worked!!!

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

The first few weeks home I slept approximately 15 hours out of a day. I would walk to the mailbox and back and slowly began to increase walking around our farm. Smells from cooking bothered me and still do at times. I think that people should realize that the surgery is 'major' and there has to be time for healing.

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

We live about 50 miles from my surgeon and the hospital. My husband is retired, so no problem with aftercare prior to my driving privileges, then I drove myself when able.

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

My activity level went from walking a few steps to going shopping. The first time I went shopping with my daughter was at my 80# loss when I got my new hair-do and bought myself some new SMALLER clothes.

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

I take Vitamin Allergy A & D (1 capsule 3x's a day) Cal citrate (1 3x's a day) My vitamins have increased to: Allergy A&D - 3x's a day CalCitrate - 3x's a day Potassium 10 meq - 2 x's a day Iron tablet - 2 x's a day Centrum Silver - 1 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?

As for side effects: Nausea - at times especially with greasey smells, vomiting - only three times and they were my fault, didn't quit eating soon enough. Sleep disturbance - no more sleep apnea or snoring - Happy Husband Dumping - Haven't had that problem at all. Hair loss - Haven't had any yet The nausea I take deep breaths, try to get away from the smell

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

I guess the worst part of the entire surgery process was getting a mindset of portions that I can eat compared to what I used to eat prior.

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

My scar is what I expected. I told my husband the day I came home from the hospital I didn't like the color of the skin at the lower end of the incision. Being a nurse I knew it didn't look healthy. I eviscerated a week later when I sat down on a toilet seat in a resturant and the pressure behind my big belly and the low seat caused the problem. I followed my surgeon's suggestions, and it healed up very well. I used a product to help reduce the scarring and I believe it did help quite a bit.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am at a Plateau right now, have been there since November, just can't seem to get below the 100# loss. I need help!!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

For the most part I'm treated about the same, I do notice with my responsibilities at work I'm accepted better by patient's and their families. For some reason the general public think a heavy/fat person is lazy which isn't the truth at all. My family is thrilled.