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

I knew about it years before I did it all due cost.

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

I found approval very easy. I may not have of did enough research on the different types due to the ease of it all.

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

First meeting was very quick. Asked what type I wanted, if I had questions, did an ekg and was out. I would suggest having questions ready, I didn't have any at the time.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My blood pressure was going up and I didn't want to up my medication again.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Just went with what others I knew had done and were successful at. Looking back, I wish I would of done more research. It may of changed my decision.

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 fearful of dying and made sure my life insurance papers were handy for my family. Convinced myself there was more of a risk by staying fat.

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 were supportive. My son did not think it was worth it. He reminded me of this when I was miserable right after surgery. Everyone else was fine with it.

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

My employer just gave the time off. Because I was management at the time the union however did not want me to have the time off for a "cosmetic" surgery. I was out of work for one and a half weeks.

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

Hospital stay was boring and seemed long. I was only there for 2 days but was feeling fine the day after surgery and was ready to go. The most important thing to bring are your own pajamas.

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

I was dizzy alot the first few weeks due to the change in blood pressure they think. Rested alot.

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 10 days were the hardest. Being hungry but not able to keep any food down is still hard. Some days are good and some are not. Nothing you can do to deal with it but stay out of the kitchen.

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

I cried everyday the first few weeks. Regreted my decision daily and knew I changed others lives as well as mine. I wanted to eat and drink with everyone else. They miss me but not as much as I miss me. It gets better but the feeling of regret is still there.

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

I did not have to travel.

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 could not and cannot drink protein. It hurts my stomach and makes me want to vomit. One week I can tolerate chicken, the next week I cannot. Still having difficulty with everything.

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

My activity level was low for the first couple months. I am tired alot but find it difficult to get enough protein.

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

Tired, tired, tired of pills. I try to remember to take vitamins twice a day. I hardly ever take my calcium twice a day but I am trying to improve that. I also take a gallbladder medication (for preventive care), blood pressure meds and biotin.

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 did not vomit for the first month or so. Seems to happen alot now. Hair is just now starting to come out alot.

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

The worst part is losing myself. I am a carefree person that now has to worry about what to eat, how much and when.

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

I only use the OH website for support. Check it daily, it keeps my mind busy on other things.

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

Scars are small and just what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau right before I hit the 2mo mark. Still in it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have not noticed anyone treating me differently. I do not surround myself with those kinds of people.