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

I first learned about it from a girl at work who had it, I honestly first thought I'm just going to keep to Weight Watchers I don't need that surgery, but obviously my views changed the more I learned about it and didn't loose much after really sticking to my diet.

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

Fortunately my insurance approval came through in 10 days I recieved a letter stating I was approved!!!!!

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

He was alright, at first I didn't think he took it as serious as I took it. Make sure you ask any questions you can think of.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I needed more help, I really put 110% into the last diet I was on only to loose 50 pounds in 2 years and I was exercising faithfully 5 days a week and sometimes 6 days a week.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

A girl at work had the same procedure she was about 1 year post op when I decided to have it, she had no problems. Also, did alot of research then on the Roux-en-y and noone had anything all that bad to say about it. I found more negative things about the stomach stapling and the banded!

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 was just afraid I was going to go into the surgery room and never wake up, or that they wouldn't staple my stomach right or have a leak or something!

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 were wonderfull, they wanted to learn about it too, I just shared my information and facts. I also let them be a part of it. My husband was only against it for a little while because he had people telling him they've heard of people never being able to eat and they die! See it's just being ignorant about the surgery!

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 fine with my decision, I was out of work for 6 weeks and I just gave them plenty of time so we could hire a temp to replace me while I was gone!

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

My hospital stay was o.k., I was in their for 6 days, and bring magazines. Although you sleep most of the time and the other times they had us up and walking!

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

Yes only minor ones, I had lost alot of blood through my stool and they did have to give me a blood trasfusion to keep my hemo count up, so I could go home, also couldn't do #2 for a couple of days needed an enema. And couldn't keep food down at first because I had a sinus infection while I was in their. My sinus's were draining into my stomach and making me spit up when I tried to eat. But, nothing major.

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 felt better just being home and not at the hospital, I just got tired easily the first couple of weeks at home.

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

It wasn't that bad. I had spent 6 days in the hospital due to minor problems I was just happy to be home!!!!

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

I traveled 2 hours..

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 8 weeks I had a program to go buy the first week was clear liquids, then 2nd week was Liquids, Week 3 and 4 was, Pureed Foods Week 5-6 was, Soft Foods Week 7 was regular Foods

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

First 6 weeks didn't do much of walking or anything although, I was suppose too. But, I did exercise and go to the gym right after that.

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

I take a multi-vitamin 2 times a day and now I'm 1 year post op and just started taking a B12 vitamin 500 mg 2 times a day.

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?

Hair loss in months 2-5 but, it all grew back!

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

Just, being in the hospital for 6 days when you go in thinking you'll only be there 3-4 and you watch everyone else go home and you can't!

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

They take blood tests every 3 months to make sure I'm getting all the vitamins I need, they also have support groups in my area. And my doctor will check on me every year after the first year.

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

My scar is long but not wide, it's only 10 months old, and I don't even hardly notice it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateaued about my 8 and 9 months of post op. I am now 10 and loosing very slowly but, I"m still loosing. UPDATE: I am now 1 year post-op as of October 26, 1999 and I've lost 105% of my body weight that I was suppose too!!!!YEAHH!!!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, and it almost irritates me. Especially the ones that couldn't give a crap about me when I was overweight!!!!