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

A coworker had it. She lost a lot of weight, had a boob job, tummy tuck and thigh reshaping. I avoided her because she was able to "do it" and I could not.

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

Very pleasant and really quite easy

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

I met the man one time at my preoperative physical.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My desire to improve my health and get off of some or al of the medications.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My husband and I saw a group of people on 60 Minutes who had had the surgery and we investigated.

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 really had no fears about the surgery.

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?

Poistive. Still positive, at least, to my face.

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

Good care. Two days. A robe, because you will be up and waling right away.

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?

Happy and a bit anxious. I tried reading varoius web sites regaring other prople's experience with it.

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

The first week was tough. Now, I am fine. Be patient, it takes some time to feel more normal.

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

65 miles. Well worth the effort to get to postoperative appointments, etc.

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.

Eating the broth during the first week was awful. My sense of smell was acute and sense of taste changed. I did not want to put anything into my "new" stomach, even water, but I managed. Pureed protein and veggies have been fine. Now, I am able to do without the pureeing and it is good. I have had no problem eating what is on the list and do not miss the things we are told to avoid.

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

I had quite a lot of arthritis which I can only treat with Tylenol now. Waling has been difficult due to hip pain, but each day I am increasing my lenth of exercise time.

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

Bariatric Advantage Multi, calcium, B12 and iron.

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?

Vomiting lasted about 3 days. No nausea after leaving hospital. Sleep disturbance for about 2 weeks or so. My doctor advised to take a Benedryl for the sleep problem.

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

Just the after surgery feeling of all over crappiness.

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

Six small laproscopic scars. This was what I expected.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not much. I haven't been out socializing very much yet.