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

My daughter found a web site and showed it to me. i talked to support groups on several and went to see my family doactor.

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

once the right persons was contacted this went very fast. I was very glad of this. i suggest you contact the insurance people yourself as well as let the doctor do it.

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

My doctor talked to me about the surgery gave me materials told me to talk to other who had it. His office gave me several phone numbers of people who had had this surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of lack of energy, I hated using a c-pap, and I wanted to lived the rest of my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I listened to the doctor and we made that decision.

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 worried a little, but I was confident that it would all work out and it did. I think you have to read all you can pick the best surgeon you can and go for it

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 had all the support I could wish for, everyone in my family were wonderful and suportive as was the people I work with. they now call me skinny when they see me.

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

My immediate supervisor worried, but she called to check during my surgery and Icu visit. she was one of my first visitors. She is wonderful.

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

Everyone was very nice, but I felt very bad while there, I was in icu for 2 days, and i had one pain med that sent me reeling. They did not give me that one again. I had visits from my doctor at all hours, he was there at 2am once. Take slippers and gowns to come on in, not clotes. a nice loose gown type robe or something.

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

Not really, I did get s slight infection in one drain, but an antbotic took care of it.

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 felt lousy. i hurt. I drink water, juice, soups. I lie on a recliner because I could not lie on a bed comfortably. I tlke to my fmily, my grandkids and my friends. They were great.

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

I did not except anything. I felt pain, I did not want to move. I had to force myslf to walk. My daughter was a big help

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

I went to my daughter's. She offered to help me for awhile. It was 70 miles in a car....I made it/

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 don't know if I remember it all. i started on water juice jello and soup. A few spoon fuls or a sip or 2. I was full. This took place several times a day. Then i tried some vegies mashed. Like mashed potato, any thing soft. At Thanksgiving, 3 month after surgery, i ate abite or 2 of turkey, a bite of stuffing and maybe a taste of pumpkin pie. i was afaid to eat suger. I have since found there is not much I can't eat, just not much at a time. I eat more normal meals now. I don't eat a lot of fat. That can cause problems

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

At first very low, I just wanted to lie around and not be botered, but it improved as I improved and as the weight came off. I do all kinds of thins. I swim and do the wieht room, I love to walk on the paths near our resort when we visit. I can sit with my grand dught on my lap,. I CAN CROSS my legs..wow

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

I took and still take a multivitamin and calcuim. That's all I tke now. I took potassium and lasix after surgery

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, hair loss. I still vomit if I overeat

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

I guess waking up in Icu, and having to have help to get around the first few days. I had to call the nurse to even sit up the first day I was in my room.

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

My daoctor started a support group, but it all went thru him and he always has people who are considering surgery at the meetings. He controls it and does most of the taking. Otherwise NONE

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

It was very bad, but it has faded a lot and much of it is now gone

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateau a lot. It scared me when I first did not lose for a week or 2. I was still over 200 pounds. I lost most of my weight in the first 9-12 monts. Then stopped. I have since lost another 10 lbs. I have to try now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I know peoople who haven't seen me for a long time don't recognize me. My firends treat me the same, but some of them call me skinny now and I still don't think of myslf that way. i think I still need to lose more weight. I though I would weigh what I weighed in High school I ws told that I would probalbe get there with time and I was disappointed for awhile, but losing 134 is great.