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

I was told about it when i had about my second back surgery. And i felt from that doctor that he just wanted me to lose the weight cause i was FAT!. i hated that feeling when he would look at me "that" way.

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

Insurance approved it right away .. i had no problems cause of my weight and the reasons that i had to have the surgery.

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

My first meeting was GREAT. He was so nice and he explained everything that was needed to know.He would answer any kind of question i had.. and my advice would be go to family and friends .. ask them questions about it and take the paper with you and bring it out and ask them. If the doc is nice enough, like mine was, he will sit down and answer them all.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The doctor was great and understanding.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had the RNY 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 really had no fears. i was just afraid of what i would feel like when i was done with the weight loss. i was so scared cause i was always big .. i didnt know how to REACT to the weight loss.

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 didnt want me to have it done and friends thought it was just a cop out.. but then after words they were supportive and it made them feel like they should do something about themselves. Infact i had a friend get it done because of me..and she is doing great

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 GREAT. it was for about 6 days. and you should be slippers, a nice comphy robe and some nice big PJ's.

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

i had some complications .. but after surgery was done for about a few weeks afterwards.

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 actually got really sick.. and then had a hernia, and some other things happened to me. but i got thru it and i had help from my husband, doctor and my counsler, whos husband happened to have had the surgery also. So she knew how to help and talk to me thru it.

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

It was a new things to figure out. you cant believe just how much LITTLE food you can really eat and feel full.. but my suggestion is try to get as much help from friends and family. cause you will need help with getting out of bed and getting around. but DO get up and walk.. it does help with the mind and body working.

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

i didnt have to travel that far from home.. just about a half an hour form home. so aftercare was just fine.

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.

you cant eat anything solid. i ate alot of baby food..drank alot of water... and crystal light. and sucked on Lays potatoe chips..LOL HINT HINT.. the foods that i really wanted was a chicken leg..and it took me YEARS to be able to eat any kind of chicken.. its been 3 years now..and i still have problems with steak and chicken.

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

I was actually up and going. I tried my best to go places.. but for the frist few days i did just stay in bed and rested. i did have staples from my breastbone past my bellybutton..and they had to crack some of my ribs cause my liver was way too big. but i kept in the back of my head.. GET UP AND WALK.. you dont want anything bad to happen.

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

Chewable mulit vitamins.

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 have ALOT of vomiting. that is what caused my hernia. and i still to this day after 3 and half years still have that problem... And i have the problem of not being able to have bowel movements.. it at times takes me 4-5 weeks to have one.. but i think its cause i have had the hernia and now have another one on top of it.

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

i really dont know.. i would just say that do a lot of research before you do anything.. it does take alot out of you and your family. My children love it and so does my husband. cause now i have alot more energy. and i love myself better.

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

My scare is VERY long. it goes from my breast bone to past my bellybutton . and its very wide. cause i had have the gastic bypass and then right over it the hernia surgery. and now again soon another hernia surgery .

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a plateau period but not for long.. just about 2 months..and i was getting worried.. to the point that i was wondering if i should take diet supplements. but i didnt.. and i just started to do more walking .. and i find out that i am still losing. its a good feeling.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are now nicer to me..and i dont like it. i feel that if they didnt like me b4 what is so different about me now that they think that they can be friends with me now.. but i just swallow it down and still take my compliments and just go on my way.