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

A friend of mine had this surgery and turned her life around. I was afraid but started to research and found that I had to do this in order to live.

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

I was denied the first time. Appeal went thru thanks to a change from the insurance company. DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER

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

It was a group meeting. Ask any and all questions even if you feel like it is a stupid question....everything is important

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I realized that I could not longer function being over weight. I could not take care of myself...my husband was haveing to take care of me becuase I was to tired to do anything.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research and doctors recommendation

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 did not have any fears. I knew that if I did not have this I would die. My worst fear was becoming one of the people you hear about that was removed from their home by a crane after taking a wall out. So my fear was not having the surgery

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?

Some of my family were immediately supportive. Others were afraid becuase of the risks but after I gave them the info and this web site there ideas changed. They have been great since the surgery.

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

I am so lucky. My employer was one of my biggest supporters. I was out of work for 3 weeks.

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

Hosptial was great. I was there 4 days. The only thing I really needed was chap sitck and no rinse shampoo and slippers for walking.

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?

The first week was rough due to the soreness but I had a hugh surgery! The second week was better but I found I slept more this week than the first. At one point I thought what have I done to myself but realized that this was for the best

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

Expect to be sore but know that you have to get up and move. The more you move the better off you are. Expect to say what have I done. Expect some mood swings and to have some bad days with pain.

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

I traveled 2 hours. The only difference this made was that I had to stay away from home for a week until I saw the Doctor.

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.

The first weeks were liquid only. This was not hard until the last week when I started wanting food. Then 5 weeks on pureed. I cheated very little. I can now eat most any food. I avoid fried and high fat. Some days I eat with no problem but others I feel like the food will not go down. This is to be expected according to my doctor. I have not been hungry at all.

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

The first few weeks I had a low activity level. After 4 weeks I started seeing more energy and it goes up every day

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

protein, b12, b1, multi vitamim

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 have not really had any side effects that I would say really bother me.

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

Waiting for approval and surgery scheduling.

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

I have an online group.

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

My scar is 7 inches long. Plus a drain tube and g tube scar that are small circular incisions. I do not care about the scar they are the last sign of my weight battle. Those that love will not care is my thought

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes it seems I am a real person now. Not just a fat girl