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

Im sure how I first heard of it, I think it may have been on tv. i wondered if it was true or if they were actors.......

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

getting approval was pretty easy, i have a traditional blue cross and a ppo insurance. bc took 1 week the ppo took 3weeks both approved first try

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

Dr. wood appears to be wonderful.He answered all my questions and gave me all the risks.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

want to be healthy, not being embarsssed of my body, and hopefully enjoy going out with family and friends.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

it was easy no one in michigan does the lap rny so im going open rny

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 did have complications, and even almost died. i guess the risk is worth it i all ready feel so much better and i has only been 3 wks.you must be willing to take the chance and except the your fate.

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 said i was crazy and so did my mother. but after discussing with them what i learned about it they have come to stand by me. my kids are for it but scared for me to.

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

employer makes jokes about it . I dont think they realize this is not a cure and i also have to give up alot.

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

i was in for 9 days. i cant stand hosiptals but everyone was very nice. i didnt need anything special.

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

i had respiatory distress, and was on a vent for 5 days. i dealt with it ok, my family was another matter. they say it wasnt worth my life.

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

everyday i get stronger and feel healthier this is my 3rd week postop and i went back to work this week i couldnt stand sitting in the house anymore my dr said i was one strong lady!!!!!!!!

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

i felt pretty good other than being tired and bored. i went back to work the 3rd week.

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

abot 20 miles to the hosiptal. the dr office about a 1.5 hrs away. i dont think it affected my care.

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 dont do well with meat unless it is mush...... i love watermelon.

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

it was pretty good considering everything i went through on a scale of 1 to 10 one being the lowest it was a 5..........

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

berroca plus 1 everyday

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 is the worst 3 months postop. 1 month postop was vomiting.

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

not being able to drive for 2 weeks. and not being able to do the things i wasnt allowed to do.

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

dr wood has a support group at the hosptial where we have our surgery we meet once a month. i feel it is very helpful we all have the same goal.

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

it is long but im to old to where a 2 peice swim suit, so it doesnt bother me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i have reached my first plateau 2 weeks ago so im about 3.5 months post op it lasted about 2 weeks. it was depressing but it finally passed.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes. mainley men.