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

From my regular physician.. He recommends it for my health. It scared me..Surgury always scares me.. I have been doing a lot of research though, and that is helping. 4-27-04 went to conference that Dr B puts on monthly. He gave a very good presentation.I did enjoy it..He is quite a funny man, 4-28- I called Drs office to see if she transfered my records to Dr. Bs office, they did. so now I am going to contact his office,,

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

I think I was amazed at how fast I did get approval.. It only took 8 days.. that was something..

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

my health

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The Dr actually makes the decision.

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 always have a fear of dying from surgury.. I talked to people on this web-site and it helped me..It is normal to be scared of any surgury. But trust your Dr and staff..Have faith,,the good lord will let you know if you should not have the surgury.. This surgury would not be around if we did not need it.. we are worth having this surgury

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 family was against it,, and a few did not understand that I wanted to be healthy again. Most of them would not even talk to me about it. After surgury,I received phone calls from family members.That helped alot. My family is finally starting to ask questions about the surgury now.. I think I should of really insisted that they listen to me, about the surgury, why I had it,, then go from there...

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

I did not go to work until about 3 months after my surgury.My supervisor is very nice to me.. and she is not afraid to ask me questions,about what I should and shouldnt eat. She is great to work for.

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

My hospital stay was quite pleasant..The staff was always available,considerate,and confidant. I was only in the hospital for 4 nites. I think my slippers were the most important. that way I didnt have to depend on the nurses to put them fancy socks on me.. I could just slip into mine..

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

Everything went well. I dont consider it a problem,yet,my insision where the tube was placed in my tummy, doesnt want to heal. not worried about it..

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 fine until a few days before surgury.. Then I thought I was going to go beserk..I just knew I should not do this, why would I do this, I am not worth it, etc,etc.. I talked to friends and to people on obesity.com. they worked wonders.. of course calm me down pills helped...

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

It is a trying time. There is so much to drink and eat, and try to keep track of things.. I was pretty tired the first few weeks. Which I have been told is normal. I overate once and did the dumping thing.. that can make one very ill. so i am careful of what I eat now. I still have a time with cooking regular food for my family, smelling it and knowing I cant eat it.. yet it is starting to get easier..

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.

At first my meals were jello,pudding,yogart.OF course my protein. I also kept sugar free popscicles and all fruit popscicles on hand.I tried baby food. only thing good there was the fruit. So far I cannot tolerate cheese or noodles yet. I ate a piece of toast with peanut butter. tasted like heaven.. I eat mashed potatos,and pureed veggies.I am only on my third week.. so now I will be getting more solids.. It has been six months since my surgury. I find that I have problems with eating meat.Just a few bites is enough for me,or else I start getting sick. I love popcorn, it goes down almost to easy! Hot oatmeal is a good food for me..and any kind of soup. I just still need to learn to eat slower.

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

At first activity was slow and low. I got tired pretty easy.. been having back problems so had to slow down on my walking. After six months, I have lots of energy. Which is just great.time goes so darn fast.I dont like to exercise, that is a problem with me.. then to find out I have a pinched nerve in my neck slows me down..

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

I take a chewable multivitamin, now I am on the vitamin b6 and b12.Dr put me on folic acid also.I take cod liver oil just because. I still drink my protein drink.. cant say I like it, but know I need it..

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 another case of vomiting in Aug. I ate some food that my tummy didnot like. so became very ill for a day and half.After 6 months I still have problems with eating. Mainly cant tolerate meat.I still have to remember to eat less and slower. I think it is worth all the trouble.

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

Learning to eat different, than what I use to.. I keep a close look on what I eat,so I dont get sick again.Also learning to eat really slow has been a challenge.Also to be patient with my weight loss,and accept the fact I cant eat what and like I use to.

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

I have met many people over the internet. I also keep in touch with some that had the surgury about the same time I did. I feel the support is very important. If I have a problem or question , my friends will answer how they handled it, which helps me. I could not make it without a support group.The saddest part is when some quit talking to you.They go off to some where else.

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

My scars are still very red, this has surprised me. I expected them to not be so red. Hopefully they will disapear slowly. I can live with the scars, as long as I have my health.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

dont understand this ??

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, I seem to get more attention. I have recieved numerous compliments, which is hard for me.. The great part is people asking me about the surgury,, as they are interested in the procedure. I dont hide having the surgury. I noticed some family members are jealous of me. also the husband gives me a LOT more attention.. sometimes that bothers me.. I am the same inside, just smaller on the outside.