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

An artical in a magazine. I wanted to have that surgery now.

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

I was approved after the first letter. LEt your doctor handle everything.

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

It was very personal but he is a wonderful doctor. He made me feel very comfortable.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Tired of being fat and wanting to have children

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor decided that

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 no fears of the having the surgery just fears of dying if I didn't have the surgery done.

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 scared but 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 lost my job when I asked for a leave of absence. I told them the I need off to have the surgery and I got fired.

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

My stay was very good. I had some very wonderful nurses and doctors watching over me. I was in the hopital for 5 days. When my epidural was removed I really felt the pain then.

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

I had a reaction to the stitches and they seperated but I just had to let my insicion heal and keep it extra clean

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

The first month was horrible. I regreted having the surgery and I cried for 2 weeks straight. My husband was such a wonderful help to make me laugh and not cry. It took about a month and a half for me to be my old self.

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

The first night I slept on the couch sitting up I could not get comfortable. My husband, thank god for him, bathed me and other things that I couldn't reach he helped me with. You will need someone to take care of you.

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

65 miles. It wasn't bad then but now I live 3 hours from there but it is worth it.

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 can eat just about anything. Meats and bread are not a good thing for me to eat. Sweet stuff will make me sick. If I am stressed out I can not eat. It has been 5 months now and I am eating more than I use to but I still cannot tolerate meats very well.

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

Activity level was low until about 2 months after my surgery. multi

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

multi vit and mineral with iron. Chewable by centrum, orange flavored.

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 after I ate for about 3 months. some hair loss after about 4 months. I just take it one day at a time and eat slowly and chew everything up

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

Having to give up foods that I used to love to eat and now can't stand to eat.

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

I am looking for one.

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

Long and wide in spots where it seperated.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Currently going thru plateau now haven't lost any weight in about 3 weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I am getting alot of attention. it is great.