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

A friend that had it several years ago encouraged me to do some research on it.

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

It was time consuming. I was with another doctor in the Atlanta area and it appeared that I was just a statistic. A friend that worked at another local hospital in the area encouraged me to visit Dr Steinberg's office. I was impressed and the rest is history- not to mention a wonderful experience.

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

Wonderful.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was sick and tired of the medication and everything else.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research and Aetna criteria/guidelines.

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?

Simply put: God is the author of life and death and he does not need an invitation to take you- if it is in his will and it is your time to go- it is already done. I put my trust in him and he lead the way.

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 wasn't easy at first- but after the support meetings and meeting my surgeon he was okay. A lot of friends/co-workers don't really know I had the surgery. I am not embarrassed but I just didnt feel like all the questions and people watching my every move and morsel of food afterwards....LOL..

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

I really didnt tell a lot of people at work just close friends. I was out of work a total of 12 weeks because I had another major surgery 6 weeks prior to my bypass.

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

Wonderful. Basicailly 3 days. A new mind frame.

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

NOT a one.... My Surgeon was wonderful.

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

Elated! Just tried to relax and think about the new me.

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

They were great - except for the head hunger. Just remember to focus on the health aspect and the new you.

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

A couple of miles.

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.

Right after surgery it was kind of easy because your stomach is so swollen that you dont want much. A lot of sugar. Fried foods in moderation. It is funny because sometimes I can eat certain foods and other times the same food will make me sick.

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

OMG! It was so high.... It still is and I am loving it. I have the energy of a teenager!

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

I order mine from Bariatric.com. They are great 4 chewable a day and I dont have to worry about anything else.

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?

Nausea when I dump and not being able to bring back up anything other than a table spoon but it sure makes you feel better.

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

Waiting on insurance approval with the first doctors office because they had everything so screwed up.

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

None really. I am going to join a support group begining in 2009.

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

They are so small- If I didnt know better myself I would say I never had the surgery. Nope- thought they would be larger.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My second year I stayed @ 170-175 for the longest.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yeah- I just love when people refer to me as skinny or not big at all....