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

My inicial consultation was back in 1998 and sadly my insurance did not cover the surgery. I was willing to do anything even back then just to get rid of the weight.

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

Some how everything fell into place once I decided to make that first phone call on July 28, 2008 and my approval was on Aug. 14, 2008. My insurance carrier was AWSOME!

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

Aug. 2, 2008 was my first visit and the night before I made a list of all the questions I had. THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS EXCEPT FOR THOSE WE DON'T ASK. Get informed!!!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I always knew I wanted to have surgery, I just didn't have the insurance coverage when I had made up my mind until years later.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided immediatly because I felt the band was not going to give the results that I wanted.

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 felt no fear although I was a bit nervous, but I felt confident in my over all health. I also thought that I would rather die trying than to look back and wonder what could have been.

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 TOLD NO ONE. I told my husband I was having hernia repair surgery and to drop me off at the hospital because he would only make me worry. When he came back to check on my status 6 hrs later I told him. He was very upset with me for lying but very supportive after the fact. Only 2 other people know as of now, but as I start to lose more and get questioned more I will tell.

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

I requested 8 weeks off for surgery but did not go into details. Thank god my employer did not ask many questions.

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

There are no words to describe the WONDERFUL people who were in charge of my care. From pre-op to post-op, everyone has been understanding and compasionate to my needs and concerns. My stay was a short 2 days but the staff has called me periodically just to see how I'm doing. Bring house slippers, confortable undies and feminine products. Your body goes through so much stress during surgery that very frequently that monthly visitor shows up unexpected. I can not stress this enough, bring confortable clothes as they will not irritate your incisions on your ride home.

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

I must say that I was very fortunate to not have any complications.

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

All I could think about was the things I would be able to do with my kids and how I would look and feel at my goal weight.

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

Lets talk about GAS! Yeah, GAS, because a week after surgery I was feeling pretty good. My pain level was minimal and I was starting to eat more frequent smaller meals and taking in as much fluid as my pouch possably could. BUT then I some how had ALOT of gas build-up and the pain was excruciating. It felt like my incisions would explode open. I had been told that this was a possability but nothing to be concerned about. WRONG, or at least in my case, I stuck it out for 2 1/2 days and could no longer take it. Mind you my pain tolarance is very high, but when it became so painful to the point of collapsing when taking a step to walk, I knew something was not right. After calling my doctor and realizing that I had not been burping out either end or moved my bowels, IT ALL MADE SENCE, DAH!!! And all it took was 2 dulcolax to solve the problem.

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

I am so fortunate to only live 30 min. from the hospital wher I had my surgery, so getting to and from my appointments is a breeze.

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.

Well I've only been out for about 5 weeks and so far I can pretty much tolerate anything that I'm allowed to eat at this point, but meats, especially beef and breads seem to feel like a ton of bricks and I no longer have the cravings for sweets as now everthing seems to be to sweet for me and before nothing could be sweet enough.

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

I've done nothing to increase my activity level since surgery as I am still strugling with gas build-up and winter has started really early this year it makes it hard to get out and walk. Although I have started to look in to getting a treadmill.

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

I'm currently taking all chewable multi vitamins (bugs bunny & friends), calcium and B-12. Next week is my 4 week check-up and at that time I will have blood work done to se if I need any other supplements.

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 any of these and I hope not to.

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

Just my problem with gas build-up.

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

None. My support comes from my husband, My Best Friend.

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

My scars actualy look ok, better than my old galbladder scar thats about 12 inches long. LOL

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None and I hope not to have any.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, Because no one knows YET.