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

I have several friends that had it and I saw how wonderful they looked and decided well to just try

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

I took forever to get approved.. and then I still had to wait 2 mo

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

Dr R was very up front and honest.. He doesn't pull any punches.. Just write down all your questions you will forget

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I need to live, move, walk, and see my daughter grow up

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I just put it in the drs hands and we went where we had to.I had heard alot of bad things about the band slipping and everything.. if I was going to do it .. I'll just do the whole thing

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'm not too scared except that I don't want Tayllor to grow up without me... but isn't she doing that now? face all your fears head on.. I had my gall bladder out and a child by c section.. All surgerys have a risk

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 husband told me he would back me in whatever I wanted, everyone else is scared but very supportive

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

My co have been very supportive until alot of people starting quiting right after the surgery now they aren't at all, and say they won't cover the surgery, thank God I got preapproved

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

5 days stay, the hospital was great nurses were wonderful, just breathe wrong and they were there

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

yes alot of complications but the good grace of the lord and my surgon I pulled though.. went ui into respitory arrest 2 times but here I am now

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

THere were days I wondered if I rally should do this and then days I knew I had better.. when I had doubts I went online and looked at the profiles of all the people and just knew I could do it

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

First few weeks.. no laying down, can't get comfortable, make sure your couch will let you sleep setting reclined or get a great recliner.. the bed is bed for 2 weeks

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

I only had to travel 30/45 mins from home.. no big deal.. Dr R was always a call away

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.

First few days broth and jello.. then by the second week I was on cottage cheese, tuna,mashed potatoes.. I am lucky so far no problems

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

First few days I could hardly walk by day 5 I don't stay still.. you have to push yourself but isn't that why we had the surgery???

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

the usual vitamins.. children chewables, the supplement I'm not right now can't find one that I can get down

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 haven't had nausia,vomiting, or dumping.. the hair loss hasn't started yet.. I had alot of trouble sleeping .. in 30/45 min increments.. but better by week 2

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

I went into respritory arrest ( hope that's how you spell it)right after surgery and was in ICU for 3 days .. That was the worst part by far

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

I don't go to support groups right now.. don't have time.. but maybe soon

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

My scar is a little longer than expeted but all in all not very noticeable.. but I was expecting a scar I did have surgey.. I'm not that vain

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

seems like after the first 2 mo things slowed down then bam off it went again