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

I knew about this surgery for a long time and was excited about it from the beginning because I knew it would help me to keep my over indulgence in check. I had a terrible time with insurance though. I only had insurance through my husbands work and finally decided to get insurance through my company and they paid right away.

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

It's sheer torture if you get rejected. You feel like this is your last hope at a normal life and it's just been taken away from you.

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

I was skeptical and figured that he wouldn't be able to get my insurance approved either. I had heard good things about him so I was hopeful but very skeptical.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Finally got approved through my insurance.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Dr only performs one kind of surgery so I had confidence in him from what other patients had told me and I knew this was the route for me.

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?

Fears are very normal and to be expected. I wasn't too afraid of dying but new anything was possible but had every confidence in my dr because he had confidence in himself.

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 son who was 18 at the time wouldn't even come to the hospital because he was afraid I was going to die. My husband and daughter fully supported me but they worried about the risks. After the surgery they were all wonderful. They tried not to eat anything around me that might bother me but honestly nothing really bothered me because I didn't much feel like eating anyway.

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

I was off work 2 1/2 weeks. My employer was very supportive and supported this decision whole heartedly.

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

My stay was good. The nurses and staff were very helpful. In a way it seemed though that they had done this so many times that they were almost robotic about it. I really have no complaint though.

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

none

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 was very nervous and wondered if I should go through with the surgery. I worried about would I be able to adjust to my new way of eating the most and it was really no problem at all...I just wish I had never tried my first piece of candy. LOL

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

The first week I was in a lot of pain. The 2nd week I was a little depressed and had to get out of the house. I had to get back to feeling normal, that's why I came back to work after 2 1/2 weeks.

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

one and a half hours, basically 75 miles

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 have problems with milk and ice cream. Bread, I can eat but then I'm limited with my protein intake. Rice, I can eat but I have to eat it with care. I have never really had a problem with any food unless I don't chew it well before swallowing. That's the key

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

I walked a few times a day right after surgery then increased it daily. I started cooking for my family fairly quickly after the first week and came back to work after 2 1/2 weeks where I sit at a desk.

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

I take 2-multi vitamins a day, and am now taking B-12 sublingual, B6 and 2 Viactiv calcium chews per 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?

The only time I have gotten sick to my stomach is when I would eat too fast and not chew. I do feel nauseous occassionally when I eat something I shouldn't such as drinking milk or eating ice cream. Occasionally I feel a little nauseous after I eat but it passes pretty quickly. Basically any time I eat something that I shouldn't and I know better then I will feel yucky. The worst is with milk and that makes me so sick I have to go to bed for about a hour.

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

My fears right before surgery were awful and the walking I had to do in the hospital was very painful. My weight is carried in the mid section and I just felt like my upper part of my stomach was just going to fall off. Had I either had a binder or a walker to be able to walk with I think I could have made more rounds of the hospital floor.

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

My family is very supportive. I also go to a support group meeting once a month which is a 1 1/2 hr drive for me. I love staying in touch with everyone and that keeps me motivated.

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

My scar is diagonal. It's nothing bad at all. I wasn't really sure what to expect so I'm ok with it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My plateaus weren't bad at all. I could always tell I was losing at least inches if not pounds. I stopped losing weight a little sooner than I would have liked but I also stopped exercising.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes!!! Men especially. Men would open doors for me and give me looks that I had never seen. Women seem to respect me more and listen more. It's been miraculous.