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

A co-worker was researching for herself and told me about this website.

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

No problems.

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

Good. He was very straight forward and kind at the same time.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health was getting worse and worse. Diabetes, high cholesterol etc.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on open rny as opposed to lap because I was so impressed with my doctor. His confidence in what he was doing "sold" me. Plus, I liked him and his staff.

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?

Dying was main fear. Also, the post-surgery pain. Now, more surgeons do lap procedure instead of open so there's much less pain. The fear of dying is still a concern.

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?

Husband was 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 lied at first. I said that I had gall-bladder sureger.

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

My stay was fine. I don't remember any more how long I was there. Bring comfy, easy to get into clothes for the ride home including slip on shoes.

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

NOne

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

Excited. Didnt have anxiety until the night before surgery. I remember doing lamaze breathing.

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

I felt like I was missing a limb. A part of me was missing. Keep yourself busy ..read, scrapbook, use this website (unlike myself back then)

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

2 hours away. Did not affect aftercare. I didn't have any problems getting there.

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 remember mayonaise being horrible. Ice cream, meats especially red meats.

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

I was very tired for a couple of weeks but I had open surgery. Felt more engergized as time went on after 3-4 week mark.

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

Took a multi, calcium, b12, iron from one of the bariatric websites.

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?

Hair loss. Sense of smell was so acute some things almost made me sick. Dumping. I still dump and it's been 7 years.

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

The worst part for me is that I still have Rheumatoid Arthritis and it's getting worse. Unfortunately, most of the medicines are bad for your stomach and I wish that I had the lap band. I've already had a perf'd ulcer which required surgery and cannot take some of medicines now.

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

I do not have any but I know where to go if I choose to. It is important but I live in a rural area and the towns where the groups are located are over an hour away.

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

My scar was right in the middle of my c-section. Not bad at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I didn't have a plateau. I got down to 125 in about a year. But I've been 145 now for about 3 years and am quite comfortable. May start excersing for health and prevent bone loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely. At first, I used to get mad at the men that I worked with because all of a sudden I was noticed and they wanted to fool around and joke with me. Whereas before, they didn't know that the "girl" who handed them their paycheck had a name! And, don't forget the women. Some will be jealous and think that all of a sudden you're messing around. Especially the women who think you're competing with them