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

A co-worker had it in 79 and she had so many problems (but 2 days out of hospital she went and ate mexican). At that same time I lost 50 lbs by diet pills. I thought she was lazy and just wanted the easy way out. I told myself that there was NO WAY I would every have WLS.

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

No problem my insurance suggested it to me. They were spending about 1200.00 a month on my stomach meds alone.

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

It was like a breath of fresh air. I felt like a find a family who really care for me. I would suggest you bring all copies of medical test i.e. EKGs. write down all your questions. Don't be afraid to ask them, speak with the staff and just be open minded.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I went to general surgeon for stomach surgery and he suggested it. It would be easier than a funidplactic (sp?) or having my stomach removed. The weight lost was a extra bonus. My primary cardiologist, gastro and kidney doctors.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Because of stomach issues I didn't have a choice.

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?

A little, but I felt like I was dying anyway and would without the surgery. I had came very close to dying 2 yrs prior when I had heart surgery. Five doctors recommend by surgeon. Only God knows when it is your time, a great doc can't save you and a bad doc can't kill you without God's ok.

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 sister was the roughest she had a neighbor who had died having the surgery. She did not want me to have the surgery. (She took after the other side of a the family she weights 10 more than HS, 3 kids later and she still has a 21 inch waist). We both are in our 50s.

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

Housewife

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

Great. I went to a specialist hospital that WLS surgery was all they did, so everyone knew what was going on and a lot of the staff had already been there and/or somewhere in the process. So the support they gave me was great. I was there three days post-op. Reading glasses.

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

Yes. I coded 2 hours after I returned to my room so I ended up with cracked ribs. I also required 2 pints of blood. I was in a lot of pain because of the ribs the nurses was great in fixing my pillows so it would even the pressure on my rib cage. I wasn't allowed up (walking for until 2 dys post-op because of low bp). After I came home I had to wear pain patches for a week.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Tired out easier took more naps was glad I didn't work. I also started doing crossword puzzles instead of eating.

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

They were stressful but I think that was because I was alone. I told my hubby to go back to work while I was still in the hospital; so he did. He is an international pilot so he was overseas. I ended calling him home. I learned it's ok to ask for help and I don't have to go it alone.

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

About 25 miles no problem.

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 had problems with chicken and still do. Just because you can eat xx that doesn't mean you can eat it again at the next meal. I found that I had more luck in making sure if my protein choices went better if I didn't repeat them for at least 72 hrs. Always liked eggs before can't stand them now. I have some trouble with milk products now.

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

It's gets better daily. I'm was amazed how much I could do, I didn't realize how tiring carrying that extra weight was.

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

Yes Centrum Chewables, calcuim, iron inhaler.

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?

Vomiting and nausea. I had to be scoped again to enlarge the opening into my stomach which help. Ate slower.

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

None, I moved out of state. This board has been a life line I just found earlier this week. One of the staff members were I was treated contacted me and made me feel on top of the world.

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

What scar? Yes there are a few but much better than others I have.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Yes, right now I haven't lost anything in 5 weeks. But Im a few lbs off of goal weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I'm getting looked at without people rolling their eyes. I've been hit on a few time. My husband told me that he seen me at the airport and thought "thats a nice looking woman" --- then realized it was his wife. He only realized it was me because I was wearing a shirt he had bought me.