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

I found out by internet searches my initial impressions where that I wanted to have it right away.

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

Insurance can be a difficult thing, you just have to stick with it and get all the info they ask for.

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

I actually went to a seminar and it was very informative. I would suggest writing down all the questions you have and taking it with you anything the doc doesn't answer you can ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was just fed up with how my life and the restrictions the weight was putting on my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

A combination of internet research, doctor suggestion, family suggestions (family full of nurses) and what I felt most comfortable with. I also went by how much weight I had to loose and how much malabsorbtion would be involved.

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 had a fear of dying in fact I wrote out a last will in case something did happen but for me I had to do this I was 400lbs and I looked at it like this was a medical intervention. In my mind I had no other choice. You have to weigh your options and what is most important to you. Some people may decide to do it the natural way and that is just as great but for me I wanted a more permanent solution.

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?

The educated people in my life were extremely supportive however some people just didn't understand the surgery and how it works so all they could see was that I might die but as I explained to them you could die during any surgery and this was to save my life in the long run and the good outweighed the bad in my opinion.

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

Fortunately I wasn't working at the time.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Yes I was very glad I went it was very informative and I got to get familiar with the surgeon, but I hope people remember to do your homework don't just pick the first surgeon you find. You must find someone your comfortable with and also the office staff is important to as they are the ones you will deal with the most and i did not like my surgeons office staff it made the first few months after surgery very difficult.

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

My stay was good. I was there for 2 days. The most important thing to bring is a supportive person.

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

No complications at all, but I also walked alot I didn't want to get a blood clot.

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 super excited however my fav. uncle died 8days prior to my surgery and that made me anxious but I just talked it out with SUPPORTIVE friends and family. Remember not everyone will be supportive and there's no use involving them in your journey.

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

I was miserable the first few weeks. I craved food, I was hungry all the time and I cried alot but it was worth it as time flys by very quickly. It gets better fast.

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

It was in the same city I live in.

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.

At first it was liquids ONLY. And then in a few weeks muschy stuff like mash potatoes or oatmeal and jello. Then towards the end of the first month eggs and things but remember everyone is different some progress faster others slower.

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

My activity was low because of the incision but you must walk alot to keep from getting a blood clot I took alot of short slow walks throughout the day.

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

I drink one protein shake a day in place of a meal so two meals and a protein shake. I take three calcium w/vit d tablets and two vitamin c a day. But I'm one of the few people who can fit all my food in some people get full to quick and can't fit all the food in one day so they need more supplements....I'm very fortunate.

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 hair loss but I didn't go bald. I only had dumping if I ate too fast or something fatty or sugary. I still have dumping if I eat too much sugar or too much food. I can pretty much eat anything now without getting sick but I can't eat alot of it or I will vomit.

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

The worst part for me is the excess skin and the fact that now I have to deal with emotions I used to suppress with food.

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

Aftercare is EXTREMELY important as you need bloodwork done and you will need answers to questions especially early post op. I sometimes attend a support group but I rarely go but I really should. It helps.

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

My scars are minimal not bad at all

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a few plateaus and started freaking out but it goes away and as long as you follow the rules you keep losing until your body reaches where your supposed to be.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Some friends say that I have changed but I have only changed in that I'm more active and only the still overweight friends say that.