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

I HAVE 2 OBESE COUNSINS THAT HAD IT DONE AND THEY LOOK GREAT AND ARE MUCH HEALTHIER.

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

HAD NO PROBLEMS. VERY LUCKY TO HAVE VERY GOOD INSURANCE. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE TO STAY ON THEM IF THEY GIVE YOU ANY PROBLEMS.

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

VERY SCARY. BUT MY DOCTOR PUT ME AT EASE. ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS AND WAS VERY HELPFUL AND TO THE POINT.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

RELATIVES HAD IT DONE.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

SAME AS MY RELATIVES AND THE VBG WAS LESS INVASIVE.

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 JUST PUT ALL MY TRUST IN THE LORD AND HE BROUGHT ME THRU.

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?

ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS WERE THERE AND VERY SUPPORTIVE.

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

DID NOT WORK.

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

I was in the hospital for 5 days. Sounds long, but I went in on a Friday, and they do no testing on the weekends so I was scheduled an x-ray for Monday. Monday came and they were very busy so they scheduled me for Tuesday. I got out Tuesday night. The hospital stay was great. I actually did not want to leave. The nurses were so nice.

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

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 actually felt great. I just hated the liquid diet.

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

I took it easy. My husband stayed home the first week to help with the kids.

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

It took about 45 minutes to the hospital.

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 tend to really stay away from chocolate and ice cream. There hasn't been anything I can't seem to eat yet.

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

Slow. Afraid I break open where my scar is.

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

I take Flintstone vitamins with my kids.

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 had no side effects.

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

None , it was worth it.

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

None.

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

I have 3 little scars And one long scar that scared me the first time i saw it. They are tender still.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am at one now. I've been losing 2 pound a week for the last 2 weeks ever since I went to solid food.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, every one ask how I am doing and are all excited for me.