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

Combo research, 48 hours (the tv show) and talking to a friend who had the surgery.

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

Had no problems

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

BLAH!! thats how I decribe my first visit to the surgeon. Advice...have a list of questions and don't leave until they are answered, and don't let anyone try and rush you!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I found out I weighted 341lbs

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 wasn't to scared. I had looked into this surgery before deciding...

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 mother (who lives with my family and I) was very lery of the whole idea, but came around. My youngest daughter (who was 6.5 at the time) got very worried about while I was in the hospital, but everyone else in my house was very suuportive. (that would be my hubby and eldest daughter who was almost ten at the time of surgery)

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

Did not work, and still do not work

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

Hospital stay was three days. Not to bad, only had one awfull nurse.

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

The only coplication from surgery I had was a infection at the site where the IV was put. The nurses (and doctor) did not pay attention the pain I was complaining of at the site, and it was a week post op when I finally got on antibiotics. (Called on three days after dischage when it was clear to me something was wrong, but the doctors office was on a rolling black out so I just waited for my appointment with the doc which was only two more days away.)

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 had no anxiety post-op (except about the move [which was three weeks away] and buying our home lol) I was tired but other then that I was fine.

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

My post op first few weeks was very different from anything that I am sure anyone else experinced.

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

I travled 3000 miles 3 weeks post op. After care??? whats that? I am trying to get a doctor now as I had to chage regions with my insurance.

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 didnt document it, but as of now (two year three months post op) Beef is still pretty much a no go unless cold, and then only in very small amounts. Pork the same thing. I do remember for protein cheese, white meat chicken and tuna were the only things that I could and still can handle no problem.

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

I was very tired and stressed. We were getting ready to move.

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

I take two flintstones with iron and four tums a day...

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

I have 4 one inch scars and one one half inch one going in a circle around my stomach. I only expected 4 but 5 is ok too.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The only plateau I had was when I started to drink coffee again and was not using equal as my sweetner. I saw only a 6lb drop that month and started using equal and things went back to the normal (for me) rate of loss.