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

A lady that I work with had the surgery. I thought that I could not have that, insurance would never pay for that!

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

I did not have any problems with this. I had Medica and they okayed right away.

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

It was fine, he let me know all of the risks and there were several with my operation. He made me feel good about the decision and was completely honest and "real".

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to prolong my life and have the best quality of life that I could so I could be the best for my family.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon decided what was best 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?

We all have fears as we are "choosing" this surgery and it is not required to "save our life" as others may be. That always is a risk of should I do this or not. I felt really confident in Dr I. and did not really have many fears. I had complications but they were all fixable.

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 friends, family, co-workers have been wonderful as has the staff at Dr I's office. I would not have changed things, I still told just few people until after the surgery.

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

They were very supportive and still are. I was out for 4 weeks.

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

I went in on Monday morning and was released on Wednesday morning. I really only needed my toothbrush, hairbrush and chapstick. The staff at the hospital was very friendly and encouraging.

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

I had a couple, I had drainage around the jackson-pratt tube that scared me a little. I did get re-admitted with an infection in the fluid around the jackson-pratt tube, and with trouble breathing. I was only in for about 36 hours for iv antibiotics, and to make sure that I was getting better.

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 sure that someone would say, "sorry you cannot have the surgery after all", but that did not happen and I only had to wait a few weeks from the time I found out until the surgery, so I was very busy at work and it was right before Christmas so I had a lot to do. Not much time to worry.

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

The one main thing I would emphasize is, if you are in a lot of pain, call your surgeon. I just assumed that my pain was normal and was not aware of the infection. It should not hurt alot. If it does, call! After the pain was gone, life was fine, I just drank diet ice tea and had little bites of sugar free jello. Not a problem.

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

10 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 am only 3 months out, so I am still in that discovery faze. I cannot tolerate meat, rice, noodles, bread. I can now tolerate tuna, egg salad, etc. I try to eat mostly protein. I am now starting protein bars. I can eat a bar in about 4 parts through out a few hours.

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

I did not do much the first 3 weeks, after that I started getting out more and doing more. The second month I did not excercise but I just upped my activity level with more steps and walking. For the last month I have been working out 5 days a week with 30 minutes of arobic excercise followed by 40 minutes of weight training. I work 2 jobs and can do everything.

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

I started with 2 flintstone chewables at first. Now I take 1 multi vitamin broke in half and 1 b-12 each day. I try to eat 1 protein bar at least every other 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?

I still throw up daily. But it is because I eat to fast and am really trying to learn to slow down. I am just starting to lose some hair and to have my fingernails crack etc. I do not have any dumping. It is just all part of the process but well worth the 46 pounds I have lost in the last 11 weeks.

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

The cleaning out process the 2 days before the surgery and the test for leaking after the surgery. It is really hard to drink the contrast stuff when you have not had anything to drink at all yet since the surgery.

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

I have not been in any support groups etc. I have a few co-workers that have had the surgery and I usually just talk to them once in a while if I have a question.

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

I have the 6 small cuts. No big deal at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I sat at the same weight almost 3 weeks starting my second month out. I was sure that I was done losing. My surgeon, at my regular check-up assured me that I was just plateauing and that this a normal time for this. I have lost 6 pounds since then in the last ten days.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People say things about how great I look now. I am not very comfortable with that attention, but I just smile and say thank you.