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

I asked my OB-GYN if I would be a good candidate for weightloss surgery and he said I would probably benifit from it greatly, given my history and the fact that I have PCOS.

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

My insurance company would not pay for my surgery because I had a hernia repair done 10 years prior and this would have to be undone to perform this surgery

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

I had Surgery on Monday morning and I came home from the hospital on Thursday Morning.

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

I have not had any complications as of yet and I am almost 7 months out.

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 very excited about it. I kept thinking I would get nervous as the day got closer, but I never did, which is very strange for me, surgery has always made me very nervous. I believe I was so comfortable with this surgery because I found a Doctor that I had confidence in and that I trusted.

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

The first month even though I was loosing weight, I thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life, because it was such a change in life style and eating habits, if we went out to eat I felt very deprived. but as the weeks went by I felt better and better about my surgery. Now I can say I would do it all over again with no hesitation

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

Anniston Ala is about 45 minutes from where I live so after care was no problem for me.

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.

My first food was 1 week after surgery and it was scrambled eggs. My doctor gave me a book that outlined which foods I could have at different weeks and months after my surgery. To start with everything was soft food, I couldnt have steak until I was 6 months out. with his outline on foods for me I had no problems. I can now eat anything I want except of course sugar and sodas I havent tried them and I dont plan on ever trying them again, thats what caused most of my excess weight to begin with.

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

I was really tired for the first monthafter surgery but my enery level went up really fast as the weeks went by

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

I take a calcium, a vitamin c, and one source multi.

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 "dumping syndrome" 3 times in my nearly 7 months. All three times it was because I was paying attention to my eating like I should. and I am constantly having to clean hairs of my clothes so I know I'm losing alot of hair but you cant tell that I am, there are no bald spots, so Thats not really a problem yet.

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

The first month after surgery, adjusting to the new lifestyle was really tough after that its great.

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

I have a great Doctor. I can call his office at anytime that I have a question or problem. and I also have several friends that have had this surgery.

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

I have 5 or 6 little holes they are already fading I think my scars are going to be so minimal that Ill never worry about them

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I would have 3 to 4 days go by that I wouldnt lose any weight but them I would lose 2 to 4 pounds over night.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, which is expected because you look and act different