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

1996 I went to Fl. to have my first consultation to have a gastic bypass, it was an all day thing seeing 2-3 Doctors. I finally left there that evening after being there the whole day thinking, No there has to be something else. Something not as Drastic! But here I am again!

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

Don't give up... Sometimes the process is slow. But alot of Insurances do cover this surgery.

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

Our first meeting was a kinda get to know one another and to see if I would be a good canidate for this type of surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I needed a change. A new start, my life back.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Doctor only did the Open RNY.

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?

Some. But I thought the over all health risk of having complications from being over weight were alot higher.

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?

Well, some said it was a whole new approach to eating, and others said NO, you don't need it.

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

I told my work I needed time off for stomach surgery, when asked what for? I said Intestinal problems... :0)

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

I was in the hospital for 4 days. The nurses were great. I think the pillow to help cough was #1.

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

No.

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

Nervous....... I just took one day at a time.....

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

I was really tired. I cried alot from being off my meds/Prozac and thinking this surgery might have been a mistake.... I wanted FOOD.....

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

I traveled 4 hours and after a 4 day hospital stay, I stayed in the area until my next Dr. appt. which was about 5 more days...

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.

I could eat anything liquid.... Jello, popsicles, soups, after a few weeks I started on Refried beans with cheese, string cheese, peanut butter, 2% milk with my rice crispy cereal.. Juices and lots of Water. I am able to eat small pieces of chicken, Fish..

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

Tired.

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

I now take a flinstone Vit 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?

Dumping a few times from not knowing how much food is too much... I threw up an M&M :0(... No Choc for me....

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

When they took the drainage tube out! OUCH!!!!!!

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

There is none where I live. :0( So I mainly look to the internet for support.

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

My scar is long. It starts under my bra line and goes 1-2 inches below my belly button! There goes the bikini..

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It's only been 5 weeks, so far so good...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No.