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

on the internet doing some research

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

I came on this site found someone else who had the same insurance and got a friend and some great info

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

He was very nice and caring and I felt confident in leaving this in his hands.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to loose weight for myself so I would be healthier and feel more confidant

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Just thought the RNY was what was best for me and would help me receive the best results.

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 totally put my trust in God and really did not have too many fears about the surgery itself. My only concern was that if I died who would be there for my children. I got everything in order before surgery in case the worst happened and made it a point to let each of them know how important they were to me.

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 one good friend said it was the easy way out, she is now considering this surgery. My family was pretty supportive but let me know they loved me the way I was.

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

I am self employed so I was able to ease back into things very easily.

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

my stay at the hospital was 4 days and lonely cause I am from Lincoln and the surgery was done in Omaha so not many people could come see me. The nurse I had was rude, the catheter was in too long and I got a urinary tract infection. If it was not for my sister I would not have been up and walking. I was left in room by myself most of the time, was given wrong things to drink. ONly saw my surgeon on the last day, otherwise saw different students which was not so great either. I think the most important thing to bring is pictures of loved ones, a good book, and your own pillow.

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

NO everything went well and healed great. I did get a urinary tract infection which was due to catheter being in too long. The only thing was is that 3 weeks out I developed a kidney stone which hurt like hell. All else was great.

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 anxious, wanting to get it over with, yet not having enough time to get everything I wanted done.

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

I was very sore, and stiff but I honestly believe the more I made myself get up the better each day was. I really was pain free in about a week.

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

60 miles, I did not go back for aftercare as I felt once the surgery was over Dr. Jacobs office was not so supportive. So I just saw my pcp which was great.

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 really eat soups, did not do so good with cottage cheese, or hamburgers. I would throw up if I did not chew well and it took about a year before hamburger agreed with me. Other than that I tolerated most foods. I just kept adding regular foods after about the first 2 weeks. I can eat almost everything now, have a little problem with spaghetti don't know why and still don't do well with hamburger.

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

I walked and walked from the first day. About 3 or 4 blocks at first then about 6 to ten blocks within 3 weeks.

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

I took tagament, tums and multi vitamin daily. Started bilingual b12 soon after and have stayed on that regimin

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 hated loosing my hair cause I have thin hair to begin with, but it did come back. It last about 6 months other than that I have been pretty healthing besides kidney stone, and one episode of an ulcer.

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

The hospital stay

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

I have not had any personal ones I have attended but I do belong to yahoo groups with a local support group which I get a lot of valuable info

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

scar is pretty faded but still can see it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stopped loosing weight about 10 months out which is very disappointing but I know most of that is because I have a problem with carbs. Am working on that and have realized this really is a tool, the results are up to me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get more looks now than I used to, I lost a good friend because of some jealousy issues which I still do not understand. I have tried to reach out to her several times but it has not worked. Most every one else is the same loving people as before.