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

My PCP recommended it to me. I knew of someone a long time ago that had her stomach stapled and she gained all her weight back and then some. I didn't want that to happen to me. This wasn't someone that I knew well, she was an adult friend of a neighbor when I was about 13 or 14 years old. I didn't know how or why she gained it back so I initially said no way to my doctor's suggestion.

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 trouble getting approval. Even without any co-morbidities I was able to get approval because I was more than 100lbs more than their ideal wieght for my height.

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

Dr. Yancy was absolutley wonderful....You have to ask questions, that's the only way you're going to get the info. Talk to people that have had it, research it and then bring your questions to your first meeting.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

This is something I think I can make work. It was to the point where I had to try something again! Nothing else was working.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The office I went through only does this one procedure.

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 fear of dying. I really wasn't scared of the surgery itself. I am nore afraid of not thinking and eating the wrong thing at this point.

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 parents were concerned about the surgery but both agreed that something had to be done. My grandparents and my sister were for it right away. I told few friends because the first one I did tell immediately started telling me horror stories about people he had heard about and I didn't want to deal with that -- I wanted info directly from people that had gone through the surgery only.

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

My supervisor doesn't know why I am out except that I had surgery. I have been out for only 1 week so far and I plan on going back to work on my second week post op on half days. I am feeling that great after my surgery!

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

The hospital stay was as well as could be expected I think. I have never had any surgery of this magnitude before so I really have nothing to compare it to. The nurses and the care partners were wonderful. Many of the nurses have a lot of experience with this surgery and were helpful and supportive. I went in on Friday and came on on Monday around noon. I can't really think of something important to bring but I do want to let all the women know that you will start your period off cycle...you may start while still in the hospital or a couple of day after you get home. Don't be concerned - this is normal I'm told.

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

I have only been out 1 week and I have had 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?

To be honest, I kind of forgot aobut it. My date was set a couple of months in advance and the time just kind of got away from me! All of sudden it was the week of and I was just kind of like Oh MY Gosh! It's time. I never really had any anxiety.

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

It's only been a week but I have had to make myself eat -- I have not been hungry once.

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

I didn't travel far. The hospital is 5 minutes from my house and after my discharge I stayed at my parents. They are about 30 minutes from the hospital but I had no trouble with the travelling.

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.

The first 3 weeks is soft foods and liquids. I am only on my first week but it's my understanding that after 3 weeks I can eat pretty much anything except beef, rice, pasta and a few other hard to digest things. Right now I am eating of lot of watermelon, yogurt, homemade egg drop soup. We can eat soft fruits, any vegetables except corn, apple sauce, grits, stuff like that. It really hasn't been bad at all and I have had no cravings...

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

I have done pretty much anything I have wanted to. The only limitation is no lifting more than 25lbs and if it hurts, don't do it...so I have been walking and cleaning and things like that. I can't drive for the first week.

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

multi vitamins with iron and potassium

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?

I have had only some diarrhea and that stops when I take Immodium AD.

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

The tube in my nose, definitely!

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

My doctor's office has a support group but I have not yet ateended -- it has been my intention all along but something keeps coming up so that I can't go.

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

It's about 6 inches long and is raised. It's not nasty looking or anything...just looks like a scar. I didn't really know what to expect because the only other surgies I had before were Arthoscopic on both knees and my tonsils being removed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am almost 3 months post op and I have not reached a plateau yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really...a lot of people that don't know about the surgery are starting to notice that I have lost weight though and that's always nice!