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

I first learned about bariatric surgery when my mom had it done in 1990. I thought "wow" what a wonderful idea.

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

My health insurance company is very helpful. I have been assigned a case worker, Laura, and she is gonna make things happen for me. I dont think it will take long to get approval.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My boss got it done before me and I saw her awesome progress and results!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I really didnt have a choice. My doctor tells his patients which surgery he will perform and we can either agree or go find another surgeon

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 had no fears. I was totally ready for the surgery and I knew it would be a success. Most are and you should all feel the same way or you should find a surgeon who will make you feel this safe.

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 friends and family are very supportive. They want me to be happy and they know how yucky I feel about being so Large.

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

I dont think that I will have a problem with this because I have plenty of vacation time that I can use. Plus, my boss was out for over 4 weeks for the same thing so she understands.

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 fine. Nothing to write home about. The nursing staff at Babtist in Little Rock Arkansas was less than adequate. If it werent for my husband I would have been in alot of trouble. Make sure that you have someone with you to make sure that all of your needs are met. Someone who can run down the hall and raise a little hell if need be. I had surgery on a Wednesday and was discharged Saturday evening. The only things I took with me were lots of panties, a wooden spoon to hit the buttons on the bed with and chapstick.

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?

The day I left the hospital after surgery I started feeling depressed and I very much began my mourning for food. I am now almost 3 weeks out and I am still mourning food but It is getting a little better each day. This has been very hard for me but I will get through it because I was prepared for this. I knew before surgery that I would go through this. So be prepared !!!

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

For the first 2 or 3 weeks expect to rest rest rest. Take time to let your body heal. Let someone wait on you. Dont worry about the messy house or the laundry. Take care of your body so that it can heal and so that you can build your strength back. I was really bored at home after the first 10 days. Now Im looking forward to getting back to work. All I have done since surgery is eat, sleep, read, rest and of course walk for about 30 minutes a day.

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

My surgeon is about 3 hours away. This has not been a problem at all.

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 entering my 3rd week and so far I can only eat the soft mushy low fat low sugar foods my doctor has told me to stick with. I have taken bites of foods not on my plan and it has given me a stomach ache each time. Im also able to eat more than the allotted 2 tablespoons of food at a meal but my dietician has told me to not eat more than that because it is too much for my pouch. follow doctors orders.

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

weeks 1 and 2 all I did is sleep and rest. I would take small walks around the house several times a day. Week 3 I have started taking long walks at the park and Im doing more around the house. I am still taking it easy though because I dont want to do any damage or get a hernia.

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

Im taking a prescription vitamin called VitaFlex and I also take Citracal.

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?

The worst for me has been a sore tailbone/butt. I cant sleep in my bed yet so I have been sleeping upright in the recliner or couch and it is very uncomfortable and my bottom hurts all the time.

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

the worst part was pain management immediately after surgery. I was in alot of pain and the staff didnt seem to care much about it. I was very mad about that but after 24 hours it got much better. Please make sure you have someone there to help manage your pain better.

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

I am in a wonderful support group and we corresponde online. My Bariatric Surgeon also has a wonderful staff who helps us with any problems we may have.

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

scar is 7 inches long and looks very good. It is straight and pink and I dont worry about it a bit.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am 9 weeks out and I have not experienced plateaus yet. I am 4.5 months out and my longest plateau has been about 2 weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet.