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

I of course seen the comercials on tv and thought it too drastic for me to ever consider something like that. But I have yo-yo'd for too long and seeing my mom died made me wake up and want to live. NOT slowly die.

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

My advise is to pester your insurance company. I called mine at least once a day, my surgeons office called them too. Really upsets them, but lets them know you are serious.

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

Ask as many questions and listen very carefully. I had written two pages of questions and the doctor went through everything first, answered most of them. He was very thorough. If there is anything you don't understand, ask him till you do. My consult went great. He had me meet with the nutritionist right after meeting him and I learned alot.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Again, when my mother died, I thought to myself I didn't want that to be me. She was morbidly obese, only 5foot3 and the best person on the world. She had type 2 diabetes(as do I) she had hypertension(as do I), she had gas reflux. Arthritis in her knees and had trouble walking. I could go on and on, and she did try to lose the weight to no avail, but I told myself, this is my genetics, and I don't want to be like that. That's what made up my mind,,,,,to be strong and healthy. I want to live over 100 yrs old.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with what sounded most healthy to have as in terms of less complications and Dr. Woods does the micropouch too, which is even more successful.

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 haven't had the surgery yet, but I have what are normal fears. These complications come with anyone having any kind of surgery and I have already had my gall bladder removed and that was successful. My suggestion is to look at yourself in 5 and even 10 years. Do you see yourself with a bunch of problems(diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.) well consider those fears(diabetes complications, sleep apnea) to regular surgery complications. The surgery has less complications for me than if I see myself down the like without it.

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 of my friends and everyone in my family I have told has been very supportive.

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

I was interviewing for a new job and made it clear I was taking time off to have this done,,,,,,and they hired me.

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

I was in the hospital for 4 days, it was nice, I had a private room and I would say there really waasn't anything important, just remember to have things ready for when you are out of the hospital. Even if I would have to have had a room w/someone, I still didnt need much, a brush and if you have long hair a ponytail. The hospital gave me all the toiletries I needed. I would say take some magazines too, something to read.

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

none,

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 first 2 weeks I was in so much pain I wished then I didn't have it done(of course you have to pay to get what you want). The reward is now at 6 weeks and 42lbs lighter, i would do it all over again. I still deal w/some anxiety over foods, but not much. I slept in a recliner the first week from the hospital. In the hospital, I had enough morphine,,,,didn't know what pain was. Very hard to move though, I would say the only real problem I had was bending over to wipe myself after the bathroom.

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

People should expect to not do anything unless you absolutely have to. You will feel alot of pain especially the first week home, then you will notice each day you can move a little further without pain till it is gone. But your energy is totally zapped. So if you can have help, especially if something falls on the floor and it needs to be picked up, you can't do it. Just sleep as much as you possibly can. A lot of people say to walk,,,,,I couldn't till my 4th week.

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

Travel time was about an hour.

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.

Being 6 weeks, I am still in the phase of trying things. Beef bothers me. I am pretty much tolerant of almost all foods. I don't get the dumping sydrome like others get. Now that I am 3 months post op, I can almost eat anythng. Some things make me sick if they are greasy or too spicy. I don't have the dumping syndrome everyone talks about. I find that the more I eat throughout the day 6-8 small meals(although it is hard to do sometimes), I have more energy when i do that.

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

I did not walk till the 4th week, then I started to around a local mall, but I hardly could do it, I am 6 weeks and hardly have energy now. Now at 3 months I am walking 2 miles a day 3-4 days a week.

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

I take 2 childrens chewables and a B complex and a vitamin c too. At 3 months I take a GNC womens hi potency capsule non coated with chelated minerals for better absorption and 1 biotin supplement.

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?

Right now if I overeat just a little I vomit. Some foods effect me on some days and not on others. It is hard to say. I just moved and from moving, I was sooo tired, and I threw up everything I ate just because of all the physical activity. I started to lose my hair at 2months and 1 week. It is now 3 months and I am still losing it. I don't get sick as much as I was.

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

I think,,,,at this point for me is the vomiting. Now at 3 months it is the hair loss.

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

Some of us in our local community are having our first support group cause all of the other places are too far.

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

it feels weird. It is bigger than I thought it would be, but it itches sometimes.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a plateu on my 4th week and just broke it this past friday(week 6) At 2 months I gained 1/2 lb, but lost it a week after.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

just more compliments so far.