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

My Obstetrician told me about it when I went in on my six week check up after having my daughter. His sister had it done and he recommended it for me

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, Aetna was easy.

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

I spent hours there, he asked so many questions, go prepared with your entire history of dieting and weight loss/gain.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was an easy decision for me because my surgeon has such a high success rate and has never lost a patient.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was the only one my doctor recommended

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?

The risks are there, mine were not that bad because I am actually pretty healthy, but anyone can die when they are under anestesia. I prayed about it all of the time and I feel that it is in the Lord's 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?

My mother was supportive, but scared. She is now ecstatic at how successful I have been and is planning to have the surgery herself.

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

I told them I was going out on disability, it is none of their business.

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

I was in the hospital for 22 hours (less than one day) following surgery. It was fine, I didn't bring anything other than a change of clothes

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

no 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?

I felt great, no anxiety

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

I couldn't eat a thing, but I wasn't hungry - any hunger was in my head. That was a little hard.

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

same city.

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.

first week = liquids only. second week = added jello and pudding. third week = added creamy soups without particles. fourth week = I could try anything I wanted, as long as I ate slow. two months = no dairy, no sweets, especially no ice cream, no white meat chicken. four months = no dairy, some sweets, no ice cream, no white meat chicken. eight months = little dairy, some sweets, no ice cream, no white meat chicken. 1 year = little dairy, some sweets, no ice cream, some white meat chicken but chewed very well.

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

after the first few days I felt great. I was off pain meds at 3 days and I had to be very careful as to what I did so I wouldnt hurt my incision. By 3 months out of surgery, I could run up a flight of stairs.

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

I take GNC's Women Multivitamin and Calcium supplements. No 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 didn't have any complications other than if I ate too fast, food would get stuck and come back up.

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

not being able to enjoy milk like I did before.

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

Other than the support of my doctor and friends, I had none. It was not important to me.

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

1 year out it is a little pink and about 4 inches long.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I experienced some plateau's at 6 months and 1 year, but have been able to get back on the weight loss cycle after a few weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

oh yeah, guys look at me! I don't feel as though people are always saying "yuck" when they see me.