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

I got all my information from my cousin and then I went to a learning session before I made the finally decision.

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

I had no problem with insurance because I am from Canada and we have Alberta health care that pays for everything. We have no private insurances here.

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

It was very good. I went for the day and my mom came with me. It was great that we could bring someone for support. We had to pay $225 for the class because Alberta Health Care did not cover it. But they covered the operation. We learned alot of good things in the class and also a lot of bad things. At the end of the class we had to decide if it was for us and then we meet the doctor. He was so nice. He did not care how big you where. He was there for me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I could not live my life the way I was anymore. I was going to die if I did not do something about it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

He only did it the one way.

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 really did not have any fear of dying because if I did not go through with the operation I thing I would have died anyways. I was so big and having trouble breathing. I looked at it as a new adventure in life. That is the best way to look at it.

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?

They where great. My dad did not what to go along with this but we made him anyways. I talked mom into it and my husband said what ever I through I needed to do was fine with him. He was lots of support

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

They where very good about everything. I was off work for 2 months

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

My stay in the hospital was good. They where a bit short of staff but otherwise good. I was in the hospital for 6 days. There is not much you need.

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

No

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 very happy but the hospital keep calling and changing my date. So that was very hard on the mind. I was very excited and also scared.

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

My first week I was very tired. Sleep lots and just relaxed. I just was on fuilds every hour. I stayed at my mom and dad's and they help me. That helped alot. They also had a bench in there bathtub so that was good.

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.

The first 6 weeks I only had fluid items. Like juice, oatmeal, jello, pudding. After that I went into soft hard food. And now I perfer soft hard foods. I don't eat any meat except chicken and fish and some lean lean ground hamburger and I love beans. Sometimes I can eat one thing one week and then not the next. That part is really hard.

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

I have not really picked up my activity level to much yet. I will have to when my weight slows down but for now I just do lots of walking and that is about it.

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

Multi Vitamin per day, also Flax Oil seed

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 went through lossing my hair, It only lasted around 2 months.

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

I have trouble with bowel movements now. I only have one around every 3 day and sometimes that is hard. I can never softening it and it causes hemroids.

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

Just this one.

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

My scar is okey! It is big but it looks not to bad. Yes it is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The first real plateau just came 11 1/2 months after my operation. I had two weeks that I did not loss any weight. But that was all. Nothing to major. Now I am lossing again and back on track.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Very much so. They treat you more like a person when you are not so big. I don't know why, but that is true. It should not be that way.