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

My mother first introduced this possibilty to me, and I soon took over egarly gathering other information I could. When I first heard about the surgery, I was basically amazed! I was wondering why I hadn't heard about this before with all the struggles I have had thru my life.

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

Contact your insurance, talk to reps, look thru your information coverage booklet. Find out what it covers and what it doesn't, get a letter from your physician. Stay on top of things and follow thru with call backs don't wait for someone to call you.

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

Make sure you are comfortable with your surgeon. This helps alot when asking questions that you aren't sure how to word or are just uncomfortable asking. Don't be shy - there's nothing you'll ask that hasn't been heard before.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Tired of being tired and realizing that this was an opportunity to have a life again. I knew things would not be easy in the beginning because of major adjustments, but I was ready for some change. I needed to care for myself for a change.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lap. gastric bypass seemed the safest and the quickest and least amount of recovering time. Everything I read was how most everyone hardly had any pain and was back to work in 2-3 wks. I didn't want to be laid up in the bed for 6-8 wks with open surgery, plus the chance of getting a major infection.

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 not afraid of the surgery or dying, I was afriad of the aftermath and the changes that would naturally occur from the surgery. I was afraid I would not be able to follow the small portions rule and simple things like that - YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES! You have no choice. You are forced and you just have to give yourself time to get used to everything.

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?

Everyone I shared my situation with (I was choosey who I told) was extremely supportive before and after my surgery. Once you've made this decision for yourself, it is yours! You ONLY need positive feelings and people around you. You should have nothing less than that.

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

I did not share with my employer what type of surgery I was having I am not required to do that. But others were concerned of my situation and respected my privacy, still do.

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

My stay in the hospital was fine except when I WAS READY TO GO HOME! haha. I had no pain and everyone was very kind. I was there for 3 days. My husband brought my favorite blanket to I wouldn't get homesick. It made me feel much better.

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?

Cope? I have no idea, it didn't even seem real to me until they were wheeling me down the hallway the day OF MY SURGEY!!! I ate alot of food that I thought I'd never be able to eat again.

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

Adjusting was hard, but glad to have some time to myself. JUST FOLLOW WHAT YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU! That is extremely important and you shouldn't have any problems. Drink as much fluids as you possibly can to stay hydrated. Don't worry if you don't feel hungry I didn't for several weeks, but still made myself eat stuff here and there.

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

Local Hospital (about 15-20 mins from my house).

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.

Sugar is off limits altho if you are careful you can allow a little in your diet as long as its not alot at one time. I noticed a difference each week. I'm getting more and more comfortable with myself and my new eating habits even tho its trying at times. I have craved and enjoyed salads much more than before. I found that, that is the one thing that I can eat the most of at one time. That is "satisfying to the mind" if you know what I mean. Over the first few months protein was an issue but not anymore (at 5 mons. post-op)

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

For 6 wks no lifting but by the day after surgery I was up trying to get around in the hospital. When I can home and my mom took my to the grocery store, I couldn't stand too long and got one of the buggies they have, that helped; but I was really able to move around fine, just doc said not to over do it.

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

B12, Actigall, daily vitamin with iron (I take 2 Flinstones). All of these daily. Actigall twice a day (for gall bladder). After 6 months won't have to take Actigall anymore. But will have to take the others stuff for the rest of my life.

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 havent had any hair loss - yet (I just knocked on wood) the worst for me was the actually nausea. I could handle the vomiting better, but the yucky feeling sucks. At 3.5 months post I noticed some minimal hair loss. It's more like shedding. Nobody else has really noticed but I have and see it everywhere. At 5 months post still shedding but not quite as much. Protein and water intake is very important with this issue.

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

Actually nothing. Everything went very smooth for me. I was just ready to get home from the hospital.

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

My best friend and I were thinking of starting a support group b/c we don't have one in our area thru the doc we chose. But I get support everyday from my best friend and family. Esp from my husband who has been exceptionly understanding of all of this.

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

I have 5 small incision marks that are about as long as the first joint (bending) of your pinky I put vitamin e oil on as often as I can and they have faded a great deal. It was what I expected cause my best friend had it done before me and I saw hers, only she has 4 scars

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Haven't gotten there yet, I had my surgery 8 wks ago. At 4 months post I hit a big one - or it seemed to me. I stayed at the same weight for 3 wks. I was a little discouraging, but I concentrated on my water intake and was right back on track losing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes a little bit. People who know are constantly giving me compliments and I'm just not used to that or the attention. People who don't know I had the surgery just keep saying "ooo something is different about you, you look great today" (I've only lost 43 lbs so far so there's not that much of a drastic change yet since most of my weight was in my tummy).