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

I heard about the surgery through T.V. and through my PCP. At first I was skeptical, but I did my homework and a lot of research to educate myself about it.

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

It was easy, I had no problems with approval

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

The first visit with my surgeon was very comfortable, and informative. I would suggest to go in prepared with a list of questions you would like answered, which is what i did. My surgeon was very honest about any risks or complications that could happen to me during or after surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was fed up with being fat, and trying for so many years to get to a healthy weight

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did a lot of internet research and met with my surgeon to discuss the possibilities

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 any fears because I felt that being so overweight was going to kill me if I did not do something about it. The benfit far outweighed any potential risks

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 mother was dead set against my having surgery for fear I would die. My friends were very supportive as was my mother when she realized that she was not going to change my mind. After surgery my family and friends were very helpful and supportive of my decision

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

I was out of work for 3 weeks, which was fine with my job, as an agency nurse I am able to make my own hours

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 3 days, the facilities were accomodating for overweight persons. The staff was excellent and my pain was not so well controlled at first, but when I was switched from the morphine i felt much better. The morphine made me very dizzy and it was difficult to walk post-op becasue of this.

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

I had absolutely no surgey complications

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 very hopeful when I finally got a surgery date. I did not have any anxiety, I was simply excited to finally have a solution to my weight problem

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

The first few weeks I was very tired, the pain was less as each day went on. WhenI first came home and for about 2 weeks I was unable to get myself up from a sitting position alone. I required help to get up from sitting (even to get off the toilet, how embarassing).I could not get my legs onto the bed either, I needed help with that as well as to get off the bed in the morning. I had my surgery 3 short weeks before I was scheduled to begin fall classes, but I was able to attend with very little pain.

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

Mercy Hospital is 10 minutes from my house

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.

After surgery I was on a liquid diet for a couple of weeks, then on to puree for a couple of weeks. By one month out I was eating regular foods but in VERY small amounts. At this point, I am 8 months post-op I eat about 2/3 of a cup at meals, 4-5 times a day. I am able to tolerate the same food I could before surgery, just way less in amounts.

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

I walked as much a possible to get my strength back, and prevent blood clots.

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

I take a multivitamin, as well as calcium amd B12

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?

No side effects noted

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

The post surgical pain, and not being able to care for myself. As a nurse I am used to being the caregiver not the other way around.

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

I do not attend support groups

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

My scar is about 3 inches in length, with 2 small 1/2 in scars as well. It is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Weight loss has been pretty steady

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I definately get more looks from the guys, and everyone who knew the old me is just astounded by the difference.