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

my daughter told me about it and i thought that was alittle drastic.however after weighing the pros and cons and considering all the things i attempted in order to lose weight i decided the risk will not outweigh the risk of obseity.

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

my first attemp for approval was denied so after appealing and denials we changed insurance co.and within a month i was approved.always consider all options as i did it was the best thing i did.

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

my first visit was informativem,he answered all my questions and offered alot of info.he made certain that i completely understood everything.be prepared ,write questions before the appt.and do some research that really helped me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

failures and my health were the factors in having this operation.i didnt want to lose this battle,i wanted to be in better control of my life and health.i wanted to take a walk and not be shortwinded or fit in a chair with room to spare.and put on jeans without thinging if they fit and they do!!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i took one year and researched my options before i made my first appt.i educated myself and knew what was best for me

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?

yes i did have a fear however no more then obseity killing me.i had to decide which one was it going to be and then decide which was a higher risk and it was my obseity.so i got rid of it.!!!

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?

i could not have had more support then i did my family and friends were prepared because they walked with me during my year of research.

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

n/a

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 five days.my stay ws very confortable.just make sure your clothing when you go home is very confortable and roomy.

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?

outside of my fear about not surviving the operation i was fine. i just kept reminding myself that this is for my future.a future of mobilaity,feeling good about myself and a goal towards good health.i will soon be in more control,i wont have to hear doctors blame all that ails me on obseity.and more inportant its about time!!!!

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

i invested in a recliner.that is where i slept.i used it for about three wks.and i was glad i did.i took things slowly and followed my doctors orders to the letter.i did well.

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

i traveled two hours.i had no problems things went fine however if i had had problems it would had been difficult since i lived so far.i never missed an appt. and didnt have trouble do it.

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 tste buds suddenly changed.i was very restricted i started with jellos,clear liquids,the following week mashed potatoes and pudding was added,slowly each week was yet something else added.then it became a learning experience some foods i ate went well others didnt like beef that took while for me to eat and sweets were a no no i did have a small bite and it made me sick so that took care of that.one day at a time and follow the surgeons advise and you'll be fine

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

not much.after two weeks i did wash dishes and was able to fix my own meals,.as time went on i did more but it is a slow process

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

i take prescribed vitamins made just for me and my needs they dissolve fast.i take seven daily

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?

my hair loss is worse for me and i am still dealing with it.i told my nutritionist and she made an adjustment on my vitamins in order to help that but i still have the problem.

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

dealing with the insurance company

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

support groups are vital,they offer hints and ideas. i am currently on an email support because of the distance.the group has helped me alot.i learned a great deal since i have been on the email group.

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

my scar is 12 inches long.not a big price to pay for the benefits!!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i havent experienced a plateau as of yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no.not yet!!!