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

I was ready to do it as soon as I got all the facts

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

It took several months but I was approved.

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

I felt very comfortable with him and knew I made the right choice.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was do this or die.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had previous surgery (reflux surgery) and roux-en-y was the only option.

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?

They didn't overshadow the fact that I was suffering from obesity and dying from that.

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?

Supportive. I was very open and forthcoming about it with friends and colleagues as well...I recommend that. They all continue to be supportive and respectful of what I'm going through 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?

See above. They were supportive. I was out for 6 weeks.

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

Miserable. I was in for 5 days (2 were in ICU).

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

Yes, bleeding (need 3 units of blood); kidney failure (temporary)

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 knew it was something I had to do so I was mentally prepared for it.

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

I strongly encourage anyone who has this that they have a very strong support person that is with them. I needed a lot of help caring for myself and getting adjusted to the new routine. I even needed help bathing. I couldn't have done this without my husband's help.

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

25 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.

No brussel sprouts or "gassy" vegetables I still haven't tried pasta, rice, beef or pork Tuna and seafood and chicken applesauce to mix with the calcium baked chips carrots, lettuce, beans, aspargus all worked well

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

I used the treadmill and started out struggling at 2 minutes and now am up to 23 min.

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

Calcium citrate 2000 mg/day Flintstone vitamin twice/day B12 Biotin Whey protein (50-75G/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?

nausea for the first 2 months vomiting a couple times the first 2 weeks Hair loss now (after 3 1/2 months)--take biotin and extra protein supplements fatigue first 2 months

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

Immediate post op period (first 6 weeks)

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

Support group meets every month. It's very helpful

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

I have several scars from laparoscopic surgery...I don't really care about this...

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

people seem to notice me more