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

Searching on line for weight loss information. This is for me was my first impression.

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

My insurance was wonderful. Had an approval within hours of submitting the paperwork.

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

I had a very positive first visit with my surgeon. Listen and take notes!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My supportive husband.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Insurance does not cover lap band but knew the results were so much better with gastric bypass.

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 definitely had fears. It was my first surgery ever. I had no idea what to expect. I also knew I was killing myself being overweight. I researched for two years before having the surgery.

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?

Most everyone was and is very supportive of my decision. And have had an excellent support group since surgery.

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

I was out of work for three weeks. I went back to work part time for four weeks. Wish I could have went part time for a longer period of time. I feel so good I love to walk. I work a 10 hour day it is hard to walk like I would like to. My employer is a major company so there was no support there. My co workers are very supportive. My company said it was an elective surgery so I could not get short term disability.

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

My hospital stay was three days. The day of surgery, stayed an extra day ran a fever came home the next morning. No complaints about the hospital stay. Just wish they had a bar above the bed to help myself move around.

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

Just a fever and took aspirin.

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 kept positive feelings. I stayed on this website a lot. There is great support here.

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

My energy came back very quickly. My husband was the best at taking care of me making sure I drank and ate what I was supposed to. Could not have done it with out him.

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

Had surgery in the same area that I live in.

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.

I am very lucky I really don't have a lot I can't eat. Chicken breast is still tough for me. I can't eat bread. It knots up in my stomach. I can not eat eggs. Unless they are an ingredient. I think it is just the texture. Not sure but they are off limits for sure. I choose not to eat rice or pasta or bread. I have had a taste of them but they are not on my diet till I lose another the weight I want.

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

My energy level came back really quickly. I can know walk unlimited. Before surgery my back hurt when I walked and I had to sit down frequently. Now the pain is gone.

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

I take a mulit vitamin, calcium, biotin iron and vitamin B12.

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?

Hair loss! It started at about three months. It has finally slowed down at 5 months. I am taking biotin to help. I don't have a lot of dumping but do dump occasionally. And not always on the same thing.

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

Waiting to have to have it done.

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

I go to the support group at the hospital where I had the surgery. They are the best!

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

It is less than I expected. And it is getting better everyday.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Yes I do have plateaus. I know that when I have a plateau I am usually losing inches. I up my exercise too.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No in fact they tell me they are amazed I have not changed and I treat everyone the same as I always have.