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

i found out from my sister who has just had the surgery. i was very interested in it

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

My ins was great they approved me within a couple days

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

It was great he made me feel relaxed he ans. all my questions. I would suggest you set and make a list of questions you have take to the appt. with you and go over it with your Dr. we all forget things we want to ask and think about them later after we have left the office so make sure t take a list with you. it will also help to show the Dr. that you have thought about this and want a informed ans. and that you are not going into this blind as do many

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being fat and nothing working. I wanted to live longer to see my kids grow up and to grow old with my husband

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i talked it over with my Dr. and chose that away

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?

well i have this fear of being put to sleep. i have no idea why i have this fear. But the Dr told me i would be fine that he has never had anyone that didn't wake up. that helped. i just wish i couold get past this fear.

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 was great my youngest sister had already had the surgery and my family continues to be very supportive

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

i had my surgery done over summer break i use to work for the local public school, so the timing was great. some of my co-workers knew and their reaction since the surgery and the weight loss has been great.

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

It was great the staff was wonderful and very helpful. i was in there for 3 days. the most important thing i found after the surgery was it was difficult to wipe myself after usuing the bathroom the first couple days....so if you can preare yourself for that before hand you should

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

no it very well my sisters call me a freak of nature cause i did so well. the day after surgery i stp taking pain meds because i felt i didn't need them, my pain was minamal

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 was scared to death!!!!!! i have this fear of not waking up if i'm put to sleep so i thought about that alot. the worse anxiety was the morning of the surgery, just before they took me back

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

my was pretty good i moved around alot and that is important move your legs to help prevent clots, i tried to most every thing for myself, just remember to LISTEN to your Doc. he does know best

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

about an hour away.....they work with my schedule for my follow up appt.

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.

don't tolerate bread too good at all, nothing with high sugar, no fried foods or chinese food but pretty much everything else has been ok. i eat alot less then before

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

it has really increased....i have alot more energy

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

protien shakes, multi vitamines, b-12 dots calcium just everything my doc told me to take

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 guess the vomiting would be the worst for me i hate to throw up. i hope the hair loss will stop soon so my hair will get thick again i have always had really thick hair and i can tell it has thin some

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

the thought of not waking up when i was put to sleep

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

i have my family and a coupel people i know that has had theis surgery

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

it has lightened up alot and it is exactly what i expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet but i am sure they are just around the corner