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

I stumbled upon the web site while surfing the net and after reading peoples bio's ...I was hooked on the idea and starting steady researching.

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

A breeze I have Aetna Us Healthcare and can not say enough how great they were.

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

My doc takes in a group for the initial as basically a mini seminar type setting. Be prepared with good questions and take notes of other questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I couldn't stand myself anymore. I thought I would die soon.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By talking with my surgeon and researching the web

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 had lots of fears, but I had greater fears of dying from obesity. The risks are there for death and complications but the results are worth the risk.

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 mother was not pleased at first, but she has since educated herself and is my number one cheerleader. My husband was leary, mostly I think because in his mind, people make fun of those that have had this done. But he has come round and is very supportive...(he is also gaining weight from eating extra leftovers...!)

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

My work (HR dept) filed the proper papers and really said nothing more about it. My friends at work have been great. I have not had any negativity (that I know of) at this time.

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

Long and miserable...3 nights is not that long, but heck you can not get any real rest. If the nurses aren't bothering you, they are bothering with your roomate. I had 3 different roommates in 3 days..!

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

absolutely 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?

I felt sorry I had done this to myself. Honestly..mostly because of head hunger and the fear I would never enjoy a meal again. I have over come that because now 12 weeks out...I can eat what I want and only want very small quanities. I have lost 60 lbs..I don't feel like I will ever truly DIET again, if I use this tool correctly. That is great.

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

Very sore and very weak. HAVE someone there to help out around the house!

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

15 minutes...I was very lucky.

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.

At 12 weeks I can eat whatever..I have no desire though for sweets.. at first I could not tolerate s/f puddings and eggs, but now are ok. I also can not stand anything with artificial sweetener in it.

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

I didn't do much..I gotta say. It was difficult, but I did accomplish more each day.

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

multivitamins 2x a day, vitamin a/d calcium iron b12 injections once a month IT ALL BEATS meds for diabetes, hbp or other "fat" diseases.

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 haven't really had any lately.. I had vomiting int he beginning while learning my full capacity.

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

NOTHING...

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

I attend the support group meetings Dr V has once a month. I think support is a very important factor however, I find the meetings that are monthly to be very repetitive. I can understand the questions but each meeting has so many pre ops full of questions like I once was... But I also get support from friends i have made thru the doctors and this web site.

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

My scar starts at the belly button and goes all the way to the middle of my boobs. It is pretty long. It healed very nicely though without any problems.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I try not to weight myself often, then I think you notice plateaus a bit more, if you look at your weight loss chart you can see that monthly most people still lose until they get real close to goal.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet, but I am only down appx 60 of the 160 or so I intend to lose. In pictures now I can see a major difference but I don't think others have really noticed the loss yet. My friends of course know I had WLS and tell me constantly how great I look etc...