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

Being in th4e medical field, I heard about the surgery some 15 years ago. Over that time I have done much investigation into the procedure.

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

The day before surgery is when I met Dr. Champion. He was warm and friendly and acted as though he had all the time in the world to spend with me. It was as if I were his only patient. I am a hard critic since I am in the medical field and he passed the test with flying colors. Anyone would feel right at home with him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being fat. It was time I took matters into my own hands and get control of my life. I have not one single regret.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Being self-employed as a diagnostic medical sonographer, lap. was the only way to go. I had to take the least amount of leave time possible since I don't have a paid vacation plan.

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?

Everyone gets nervous right before surgery. That is normal. You must feel comfortable with your surgeon. He has your life in his or her hands.

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 family and friends were all very supportive about my decision. They still are. My co-workers say it's as if I'm melting away. They like eating my left-overs. My mother was a bit apprehensive at first, but with my medical experience, she knows I do my homework. Now she is the one telling everyone about how well I've done.

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

All the doctors I work for were behind me in my decision. Working in the OB/GYN field, there are many women I see who need this procedure. Two of the doctors I work for, now ask me to consult their patients who are seriously considering this surgery. I have had two other doctors in the area call me about the lap. procedure. They heard about my success from our patients. This is very rewarding.

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 48 hours and the only complication I had was a reaction to the pain medicine. A patient might feel better bringing their own pillow and socks for warm feet.

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

none

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 excited about recieving my date.

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

I was back at work the week after surgery. My patients and coworkers were amazed at how well I did.

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

I traveled 300 miles for surgery.

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.

Post op, I had a hard time drinking water. I had always been a big water drinker and this really changed for me. I got so dehydrated that 2 weeks post op I developed kidney stones. I cannot eat chicken now. It makes me sick still. I really believe that I could be a vegetarian now but I can tolerate beef. I made a mistake of eating ribs and after 3 bites i became violently ill. Suger was in the sauce

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

High

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

Vit.E, Multi vit., calcium

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?

None

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

apprehension before

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

None other than my physicians e group

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

Barely visible.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes.