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

I have known several people that are very close to me that had the surgery and I have read about it for a couple years and watched it on the discovery health channel for a long time before making my decision to have it done.

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

I had no problems with my insurance company and I called them before I ever started the process to see if and how much of the surgery they would cover.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was 4 hours long and I met all the people in the office. Everyone was very honest and answered all the questions I had and I later called with more questions and it was no problem.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew that I would never be able to do this on my own and I never let anyone tell me that I "took the easy way out" because people who elect to have this surgery do no take the "easy way out." They are looking for help to live longer.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew how much weight I wanted to lose and talked to my doctor and knowing that my family is not going to get any larger, I knew I was going to have gastric bypass and not lap banding.

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 was really very confident and I knew that I was not going to die. I have a lot of faith in God and I have put this in His 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?

I have not told everyone in my family yet because this is a personal decision... My husband and children were very happy about my decision and are looking to the day to see me thinner one day.

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

My surgery has been so recent that my employer has not yet noticed so I am waiting to see his reaction after a lose a bulk of weight.

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

Two days. I slept most of the first day. I only took a change of clothes, my brush and comb.

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

My surgery went very smooth.

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

By the 4th day after my surgery I felt very well and was able to get in an out of bed with no pain at all. I was ready to have this done so I really had no anxiety feelings.

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

I felt fine. The only thing is I am not to lift over 5 pounds which is difficult at times when no one is here to help me but I am very careful.

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

About 1 mile. The hospital is in town where I live.

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 cannot stand the smell of french fries or even eat them. I can eat almost everything so far.

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

Slow at first but now that I am 2 weeks out of surgery, I have been doing a lot more walking and took a bike ride.

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

I take a Flintstone multivitamin 2 times a day, Citracal 2 times a day, iron, B12 and Magnesium every day.

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 have not experienced any of that at all.

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

Trying to get out of bed the first couple days. Other than that, I have had no complaints.

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

I go to a support group once a month at the hospital that my surgery was done. The support group is great. I love going.

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

I was happy to see how small the cuts were. They are 6 little cuts above my belly button and not very big at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had any just yet. I just had my surgery 2 weeks ago.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not just yet.