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

internet, it was scary at first

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

A word of advice.......PERSISTANCE. I never had a problem with my insurance company, but I called one a week until approval. It didn't take long

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

My 1st meeting was a good one. I was scared because I wasn't sure how my DR. was going to perceive me. However, talking with him put me at ease. Ask as many ?'s as you can. If the Dr. seems frustrated that you are asking so many, find another Dr. I did not have that problem.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

insurance covered it

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor decided.

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?

My fear was being put to sleep and never waking up. Dying and leaving my 2 daughters (4 yrs and 10 mos.) motherless. It was very scary. I would tell everyone with these fears that they are valid fears and should be discussed with family members, your doctor, and even during the psych eval (if you have one). I did, and it made such a difference.

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 before and after surgery.

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

I was out of work for 2 wks. My employer was extremely supportive and inquisitive. I was the 1st employee to have this done with our insurance and now another employee just had her surgery. I was very honest and proud with what I was having done.

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

I hated my stay in the hospital. I could never get comfortable in the bed and I found out all Morphine does is let me sleep for an hour. I was in the hospital from Mon through Sat.

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

yes. 2 1/2 wks after surgery I was unable to hold anything down for several days and then I was readmitted to the hospital with post-op pancreatits, dehydration, and low potassioum levels. I grew extremely depressed in the hospital even as far as telling my husband I wanted to die. It sucked even more than the 1st hospital stay. I stayed another week in the hospital and until the last 2 days was unable to hold anything down. But I got better and now am back to normal.

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 scared. I just out it in the back of my head and went forward with life as usual.

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

low energy

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

10 min

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 only thing I cannot eat is rice, it just doesn't agree with me. I eat anything I want. No dumping!! I still have a tendency to want a lot of soups since they go down so easily.

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

very low

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

Flintstones chewables and a monthly B12 shot

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?

vomiting when I was sick. However the cramping followed with vomiting when I overate was awful

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

That I didn't do it sooner

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

A group that meets at the hospital once a month. Went to my 1st meeting this month (April) and it was very informative

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

I have several. My longest is about 2 1/2 in long the rest are barely an inch. I expected more.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes and no. My friends and family are still as loving and supportive as they have always been. However, I am getting hit on a lot more now and it feels great! I am not as negative as I used to be. I also stick up for myself more now.