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

I searched the internet for about 1 year and then spoke to 3 friends who had it done.

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

Mine was approved on the first try and I was excited

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

Dr. Tishler's staff were very firendly and calming, they were willing to answer questions and then when Dr. Tishler came in the room he made me feel important and comfortable. He didn't make amy rude remarks about my weight but listened to what I had to say and then he spoke clearly and slowly so I could understand everything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I saw my older sister roll off the rocking chair and knowing she has diabetes very bad I don't want to get that way. Feeling comfortable with Dr. Tishler and knowing there was help for me

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

When Dr Tishler talked to me and told me laband was better for me.

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 and grown children backed me up totally and are still giving me the strength.

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

They supported me the whole time and I told them everything along the way. I took a 2 week vacation and I would suggest people take maybe the same amount.

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

It was very comfortable. I was 2 days. The only thing I brought was extra large clothes to go home in.

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

I had no complications at all. In fact I had energy I never felt before.

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 and dealt with the diet very well. I was shocked how other people eating did not bother me. I counted down the days.

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

To take it easy and DON'T TURN ON YOUR STOMACH. I did and the next day was in pain.

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

1/2 hour away. I put a pillow on my stomach in the car

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 was fine with everything until they told me to try mashed potatoes, that felt like a brink...next tme I added more mild and made them smoother

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

More energy than I ever had, eating is going well and walking feels so good.

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

1 multi-vitamin chewable and 1 citracal

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 had sleep disturbance only to go to the bathroom. (so I don't mind that at all)

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

the x-ray the next day THAT DRINK IS AWFUL!!!!!

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

I go to the group support meetings in Hartford, they help so much and you get to meet other people

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

They are very small, I expected them to be alittle larger because I had 2 hernias taken out at the same time. My grandchildren had to look at them and said they look like someone just wrote with a pen on my tummy

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Only for 2 says that I didn't lose not even 1 pound

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes they smile at me and are very encouraging and ask me about the surgery. They have asked for my Dr's name too