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

I was able to work with a surgeon that does bariatric surgery and have had many oppurtunities to take care of his patients in the immediate post op period. I was very skepital about the procedure because of the dangers that any surgery can pose.

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

I was very fortunate that my insurance moved quickly, only about 6 weeks after my first doctors visit, however I was the last person our insurance company approved for this surgery.

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

Again, I was lucky because I knew my surgeon on a professional level. The more questions you can come up with the better understanding you will have and also helps to find out how knowledgeable the surgeon is about the process, particulary if you already know the right answers.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was afraid for my life. I felt very sure at the rate of weight gain I was expeirencing that my life could and would be over before it was time.

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?

Make everything OK in your life, so the day of your surgery you have nothing weighing heavy on your mind except to heal and get on with your new life.

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?

I am blessed, I have a fantastic support group...and wondeful family and the most perfect husband any one could ask for.

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

My employer was also supportive, however I was only to be out about 3 weeks and ended up being out almost 2 months to the day.

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 5 days including surgery day, I received wonderful care and great information.Things to bring....Baby Wipes, chap stick, oral hygeine items,comfy pj's for the ride home.

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

I did great for the first two weeks post op, however I became very very dehydrated and started a down hill spirel that lasted for about 1 month. It was trully a fight to the top.

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

As I mentioned above it was trully a fight to the top, I faced food as the enemy, and had to learn to listen to my mind and body all over again. I had lots of anxiety when came to eating, and spent many hours crying wondering why I did this to my family and to myself. I finally got help from a psycologist that was wonderful on helping me deal with me life changes.

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

The firat two weeks were challenging, due to the need to learn to eat all over again, and remembering my portions, my taste, everything is not as it used to be.

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.

My surgeon requires 4 weeks of liquids post-op, so smoothies here we go..then advance to soft food, easy chew things, now being 5 months out I can eat just about anything..no thats a lie...I do not eat sweets....I do not eat and can't eat white rice, bread, tuna. I eat only tender meats and lots of chicken, cheese I try to add to everything I eat for added protein. Still today somethings that worked yesterday may not work today but usually it is not what I eat but how I ate it...To FAST....not well chewed...etc

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

I became very depletted of everything that it was a very slow road back..but started walking and now I work out aerobics and strength training 3 times a week and walk 2 times a week. 30 minutes each day....

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

I don't take supplements at this time (bad me) they have a tendency to make me nauseas and my thoughts are if I throw them up they have done me no good...All my lab work is within normal limits....

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?

Nausea and vomiting was my worst enemy, I did not cope well for about a month, then I heard what my body was trying to tell me I just had to learn to listen.

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

The NG Tube....the nausea and the vomiting....

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

We have a group meeting on the 4th Tuesday of every month and feel that the meetings are very important and helpful in coping with the changes in your life.

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

Only about 4 inches long, not bad.