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

I was kind of leary at first but a good friend of mine just had surgery on 3/20/00 and she said it's the best thing she ever did. We had been dieting partners for many years and I figure if she can do it, so can I.

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

I had Aetna insurance and had no problems with getting approval.

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

I liked Dr. Sonpal as soon as I met him. He made me feel at ease and answered any question I had.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted a better life for myself. I have arthritis in my back and knees and my quality of life was getting worse.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The open Roux-N-Y was the only surgery offered at CCBS and I knew I wanted Dr.Sonpal to perform my surgery.

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 wasn't worried about the surgery at all. I had done my research and knew I was in good 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 husband, children, family and friends were very supportive.

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

My employer had no reaction to my surgery. I was out of work for 6 weeks.

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

My stay at St. Vincent's was good. They were very attentive to all my needs. I had my surgery on Monday morning and came home on Thursday morning.

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

I had 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 good after the surgery. I did not have any anxiety from the surgery. I did have my family to help me.

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

I have a high tolerance for pain so I only used my pain medicine the first night I was home.

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

I had to drive 55 miles for my surgery. The ride home was a little rough as it was snowing and icy out the day I came home.

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.

When I came home I ate hot cooked cereals, mashed potatoes,sugar-free jello, pudding and popsicles. As the months go by, you can eat different foods. I am 11 months post-op and still have problems with some foods, like hamburger and bread.

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

At first, you have to make yourself move around but as time passes, you have alot more energy.

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

Every day, I take 2 tums, a multi-vitamin,iron supplements, vitamin B12, vitamin E and vitamin C.

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 was lucky! I have had no side effects from the surgery. I did have nausea in the hospital from the morphine but they changed my pain medication and I was fine.

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

The waiting was the worst part! I was ready for the surgery as soon as I was approved.

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

I go to a support group in my area. It is very important because everyone who has the surgery has different stories to tell. The people who are post-op can offer alot of suggestions to the pre-ops or people just inquiring about the surgery.

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

The scar is fading but I have a scar from a prior gall bladder surgery so the scar did not bother me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit a couple of plateaus but I know to increase my protein intake and drink more water.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people do treat you different.