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

my girlfriend who is a phychologist specialist for a bariatric surgeon talked to me about it about 5 years ago and I did not listen..I was not ready I would try one more diet..what a fool I was if I had of known I would have done this 10 years ago..anyway I finally decided after seeing carnie wilson results..thinking that could be me only a little older...

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

apporved in 1 hour once I went to an in network MD..then I just changed to the MD that I wanted to see..

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

I went to visit 3 different MD's...I was taken aback by the first..it was like a cattle call so I did not like him..the next did not offer the silactic ring as an added insurance for surgical success but I did get insurance approval thru his office...and the third was perfect a small groups an older surgeon who explained everything to you... the only thing I did not agree with is that he does not believe in going home with pain meds or antibiotics..and his surgical incision is rather old fashioned and too large..but he is a wonderful human being who has many years of experience and a great beside manner.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

me I was tired of being FAT...end of story

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

though analysis of statistics out there the open RNY with the salatic ring offers the best results in the long haul of weight loss and maintanace of the weight loss..

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 a fear of dying..however I was prepared..I left a letter for my husband with all the instructions he needed and a note to each one of my children...I would tell others who are comtemplating the surgery always think of the positive..and to weight your choices a poor life style and possible death from obesity or a chance at life and living

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 family and friends where very supportive surprising my mother was 100 percent behind me...

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

at first my boss thought it was drastic but as she researched it more she found it to be my life saver,, she knew I would not change my mind this I was doing for me..I stayed out 4 weeks and only the last week did I have trouble covering my work...

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

my hospital was not the greatest..because I work for a competitive hospital system and am so use to the excellent service we give...there was no comparison...I was there for 5 days...bring someone who can bath and wash your behind because you can't do it...

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

Urinary Tract infection ...I am a nurse practioner so I called the MD and told him what I needed..

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

my mother cured my anxiety..what a help she was she moved in with me for those 3 weeks doing laundry and anything she needed to do..which included wiping and bathing me because I could not bend around...

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

I was very uncomfortable..but just like having a baby you soon forget the pain...i was unable to sleep in a bed and sleep in chair for 3 weeks it was like heaven when I finally went to bed lying down...my insicional site is still painful at times..and I had pains to the side of the site for 5 weeks after...it is all getting better

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

100 miles it has not affected the aftercare I travel once a month to the MD

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 barely nothing because it made me nauseous..slowly food is becoming less of an issuse and I have been exprimenting with a variety of foods...2mos post op I still cannot eat pasta bread dry meats or steak...I cannot tolerate sugars and fat go right thru me..oh well

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

after surgery I would walk around the house outside for 2weeks and then my husband forced to start walking down the street and back after 6 weeks I started water arobics ..now after 2 mos I do water arobics 4 times a week and I love it...

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

I take a multivitimin, B12,4 tums, and iron daily

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 was hypersetive to smells with nausea for at least 3 weeks...I could not stand how I smelled it was awful..that has gone away..I still have dumping..at least every time I eat....up to now no hair loss..

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

The cramping some people do have abdominal cramping after surgery and I was one of the lucky ones...I could not lay down so I sat up; for 2weeks

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

I go to monthly support groups and yes it is important it keeps you motivated..the MD also has me see the dietcian and psyhologist every month...

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

It is long and becoming less red but I would have liked it to be a little smaller..but no matter I am going to put glitter on it when I wear a two piece as a sign of pride...

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

2 weight plateaus for about 2 weeks each...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

they now look at me like a human being and they tell me I am losing my face tooo badddd it is not my as???????