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

How did I first find out about bariatric surgery? I am not really sure. I remember one day about a year and a half ago saying enough is enough. I had probably seen something about it on the internet. So, I set out to learn what it was all about. The more I read and considered, the more determined I was to learn more. I spoke to many, many people about it. I got many, many different reactions to it. I have met people that have had it done and think it is the best thing they ever did. I have met people who know people that have had surgery and had what the outsider consider a "bad time". But the person that had the experience says it is well worth the "inconvenience". My impression is that I want this for myself. I want to be able to live the rest of my life to the fullest.

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

I had no problem getting insurance approval.

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

My first visit with the surgeon was exciting and scary all at once. I think the way to get the most out of this is to prepare a list of questions and concerns, and bring it with you. You will not remember all the things you want to know. There is just so much to absorb, that the questions fly right out of your brain until you get home.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My decision came because I was becoming very clumsy and I was falling a lot. Also because my gyn did not feel I could or should have children due to the risk to my health.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read everything I could get my hands on, but ultimately left the decision to the surgeon I had researched and chosen.

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 honestly had no fears about the surgery. Probably because I had recently fallen down a flight of stairs, and thankfully had not broken my neck as was feared for about 9 hours! Also, I did not come by this decision lightly. I researched for about 1 to 1 1/2 years before I saw the doctor. I would (and have) tell people to search their own hearts and to step back and look realistically at the risk factors they are facing without the surgery. I felt they were far worse than the risk of surgery.

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 friends were great. Some members of my family responded positively, others just respected my wishes not to have any negativity relayed to me. I sent my family a letter explaining my decision and how it came about. I also stated that while I respected their opinions and their right to them, I would appreciate support and that any negative comments be kept to themselves. They really do not mention my surgery or my weight loss. It is as though they cannot be happy for me, so they say nothing. Also, my relationship with my family has seriously deteriorated the past few months. I do not necessarily think this is due to the surgery, but rather a long term effect of the loss of our family matriarch.

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

I TOLD MY EMPLOYER EXACTLY WHAT WAS GOING ON BEFORE I WAS EVEN HIRED..THEY WERE VERY SUPPORTIVE AND CONTINUE TO BE SO.. I WAS OFFICIALLY OUT OF WORK FOR 2 WEEKS BUT THEN GOT A BIT OVERWHELMED AND WAS OUT ANOTHER 2 THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN GREAT ABOUT WHEN I AM OUT JUST NOT FEELING WELL.....

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

My stay in the hospital was very pleasant. I had great care, and they had a wonderful staff. I was there for 3 1/2 days. One of them I spent in the icu. I was treated like gold in there. The one most important thing that I brought was a fan! The first few days I was soooo hot. Now I am always cold.. Of course it is mid October now and it has been cold, but I am used to going through out the winter without a coat. Oh the other best friend you will have is your toothbrush ! Treat yourself to a new one and a good toothpaste. When you cannot have any water , brushing your teeth is a luxury, and you can do it often!!

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

No complications at all so far . 10 days post op.

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 did not have any anxiety at all. I was just so ready for this and sure that it was the right thing for me. I did not even have any anxiety the morning of surgery. When my hubby started to get nervous and unsure, I told him it was o.k. He could go, as he has a major debilitating fear of hospitals, due to severe birth problems and a couple of years in the hospital when he was young. It was actually easier, not to have him there. As soon as he left I said to the Dr. o.k. he's gone now let's get this show on the road!! I didn't have to worry about his fears after he left. So then I relaxed completely and things moved very very quickly after that.

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

Expect to be tired. Allow yourself time to rest and relax. I went back to work 2 weeks post op and I should not have. While mentally you may be ready just to escape the boredom, physically, you have just gone thru hell and need to allow your body time to adjust and heal. I made my own recovery tougher than it had to be, because I thought I needed to be wonder woman.

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

I traveled about 1 hour away. It had absolutely no affect at all on my aftercare. My surgeon was (and is) always just a phone call away. Even just when I am panicing over nothing.

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.

Oh gosh! I am now 5 months post op and still my tastes change by the meal it seems. One major change I have noticed is that when I am pre- menstrual I cannot tolerate touching raw meat. I was never like that before. But I can love things one meal and just not be able to stand them the next.

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

FIRST WEEK. UP AND DOWN LIKE A YOYO. I WANT TO GO GO GO. NEXT DAY I WANT TO SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP.

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

Vitamin B12 and calcium also a multi vitamin 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?

SLEEP DISTURBANCE!! OH MY GOD. THE FIRST WEEK AFTER SURGERY I DID NOT SLEEP MORE THAN 1 - 2 HOURS AT A TIME. LET ME SLEEP. I JUST COULDN'T. I WAS SO FRUSTRATED. 10 DAYS POST I AM SLEEPING LIKE A BABY! Well since 3 1/2 months(now 5) i have been losing my hair like crazy! I could easily make a wig a week with all the hair I lose! I actually got it cut (6 inches) so I was not seeing so much hair...

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

MY HUSBANDS FEARS.......

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

i ATTEND THE SUPPORT GROUP OFFERED BY MY PHYSICIAN EVERY MONTH. i FIND IT EXTREMELY HELPFUL, AND THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ATTEND AS FAITHFULLY AS I CAN

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

MY SCAR IS WIDER THAN I EXPECTED. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A FINE LINE AS I USUALLY HEAL QUITE EASILY. YOU CANNOT EVEN SEE MY GALLBLADDER SCARS. IT IS ABOUT 3/8 OF AN INCH WIDE, BUT THEN AGAIN IT OPENED UP AFTER THE STAPLES CAME OUT. ALSO IT IS BUMPY. I EXPECTED IT TO BE SMOOTH. IT IS VERY SENSITIVE, SO WHEN I RUB IT I FEELS BUMPS INSIDE. ODD FEELING

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

WELL. I AM 5 MONTHS NOPE 5 1/2 MONTHS POST AND HAVE BEEN ON A PLATEAU FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW THIS IS THE LONGEST ONE I HAVE HAD, AND I FIND IT EXTREMELY ANNOYING!!!! I ONLY HAVE 8 POUNDS TO GET TO MY FIRST GOAL OF 200# AND THEY WONT GO!!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES SOME! I ALSO FIND THAT ANNOYING, ALTHOUGH I DO APPRECIATE THE SECOND GLANCES I GET FROM STRANGERS NOW... ALL THE WOMEN AT WORK TELL ME I AM LOOKING GREAT! THE MEN DO NOT USUALLY MENTION IT, NOR DO MY MALE FRIENDS UNLESS MY HUSBAND OR I MENTION IT. WE NEED TO "OPEN THE DOOR"... THEY SAY THEY DO NOT MENTION IT BECAUSE THEY DONT WANT TO MAKE ME FEEL AS IF THEY ARE "CHECKING ME OUT" LOOK AWAY MY FRIENDS!! I HAVE ALREADY LOST 70#...I EXPECT YOU TO NOTICE!!!! LOL IT IS JUST THAT DAMN SEXUAL HARRASSMENT THING....