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

I found out about bariatric surgery through the patients I was taking care of. My initial impressions were omg! I need the surgery so badly! But there is no way I am letting that Dr. operate on me!

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

I had no issues with insurance. I was approved the first time.

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

I was very prepared with my research- I went into the meeting with several questions I needed answered, and I felt confident that I wasn't leaving til every questioned was answered to my satisfaction.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My coworker had the surgery by the same surgeon and he has a zero leak rate, and all of his patients had nothing but praise about him.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I discussed all of my options with my 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?

My fear preop was having a leak. Today I still fear of overeating my pouch- I am only over a year out and still I fear that I will one day eat my way back to morbidly obesity. But I work hard to measure my meals and make sure that I practice what my Dr. told me to do!

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 was supportive post op- I never told them preop. My friends were and still are amazing!

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

My employer was and still is extremely supportive.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

My first seminar was like a person beginning to plan the best vacation of their life. I felt like I was beginning my journey and YES I was glad I attended because without it I would never have had surgery! I don't like rooms that are crowded with hundreds of people... But this time- I didn't feel like I was out of place... All of us in the room were all morbidly obese, so I felt like I belonged!

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

2 days- I was treated great with the exception of the day I was discharged. Being treated with compassion, care, and respect.

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

I have since developed two ulcers at my anastamosis site. However- as long as I take my antiulcer meds I have no issues.

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 was scared! I was on obesityhelp.com everyday! Chatted with those who had surgery before me!

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

PAIN! Even laparoscpically done- I had pain I didn't know could exist, but this was usually secondary to the nausea and vomiting I wasn't expecting. Once that got under control I didn't have any pain!

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

2 hours... This has not effected my post surgery 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.

Breads of ANY kind - completely off limits for me. Yet my coworker who had the same surgery by the same surgeon can eat toasted breads. I couldn't keep water down the first few weeks, my stomach was irriated and everything I put in it came back up. I now eat healthy choices- protein first then veggies.

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

1st two weeks I walked around my dining room table only. After that I began swimming! My activity 3 months out was exercise videos daily- riding my bike daily.

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

Calcium citrate, B12, Biotin, Iron ( beware of the stomach cramps and constipation) and of course my multi vitamin

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/ vomiting! for at least the first two weeks constantly, then by the third and fourth week with the assistance of meds it was tolerable- Now only when I eat something that disagrees with me. For the nausea/ vomiting- zofran and phenergan.

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

being herded around like cattle in my preop meeting. There were about thirty of us... moving from area to area.

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

none

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

several 1/4 inch punch incisions. Nope not what I expected- the areas where the incisions were is not at all what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet! Thankfully!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely! The people who haven't seen me in at least a week- constantly give me compliments!