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

I found out about bariatric surgery from the rosey odonel magazine, that probably isnt spelled right. My initial impression was....Thank God!!! Something that will Finally help those of us that are MO!

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 pretty quickly. within a couple of weeks! advice. Keep calling your insurance people and your doc.

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

My first visit with Dr Marshall went very well. I was nervous and afraid of what he might say. But he made me comfortable and didnt make me feel stupid or anything. how can people get the most out of their meeting, well, dont do what I did and Forget your list of questions for the dr!! I felt stupid about that, but that was ok. because it was my Own fault. lol

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

A couple of years ago, I had lost around 60 lbs. it's back and with a vengance. I am now almost at my altime highest weight. Joint pain, legs and feet and ankles swelling up, and Never feeling Healthy. Plus, I'm ashamed of how I look. now mind you, I do not want to look like a super model, I know that will Never happen. I just want to Feel healthy and be able to Breath while i walk with my kids. {and be Able to walk with the kids}

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on the LAP RNY because the healing time in my opinion is faster, on the outside anyway, because you dont have the big incision to worry about getting infected. Also, Dr. Marshall is one of The Best in this field!

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?

My biggest fear was staple line disruption. I was so scared that it would pop open and anything I ate or drank would leak out and I'd die. I wasnt however afraid that I would die from the actual Surgery itself. I think the best advice is to go into surgery with a very positive attitude. Have faith in your doctor and the staff he/she is working with. If you don't, then I'd advise you Not to go with that doctor.

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 were supportive. I have two aunts that, years ago, had the stomach Staple. and one aunt that had the older version of gastric bypass. I wouldnt have handled my situation any differently. after surgery, support was good too.

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 fine. I wasnt helped nor encouraged to get up and walk though. I only walked three times while I was there. I was there three days. the most important things to bring, would be, chapstick, a small pillow to hold over your stomach when you have to cough or if you laugh. {trust me it helps} I wouldnt drag a ton of things, you will end up not using them.

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

No complications so far....{knocking on every sliver of wood I can reach}

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

After I got my surgery date how did I feel... I felt Great. Excited, anxious, nervous. I coped fine. just took deep breaths and a day at a time.

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

I had LAP RNY. so my first weeks home were fairly uneventful. No drain tubes or anything like that. And luckily I had No complications. You should expect alot of pain. mine was relatively mild compaired to others I've read about. also expect to be Tired Tired Tired.

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

I traveled an hour to get to my hospital. it so far hasnt affected my aftercare.

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.

Beef, No Beef! No sugar. No pork chops. :{ I love pork chops. No noodles, rice, bread, milk makes me ill, no carbonated drinks, nothing greasy ugh makes me sick to my stomach big time, like deep fried french fries, that's a no no! french fries are a NO. week-by-week my tolerance hasnt changed much. I started out not being able to have those things and still cant tolerate them. there are a few other things but they're slipping my mind at the moment.

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

activity level was low, still is, no energy. Still waiting for that energy BOOST everyone keeps talking about after surgery.

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

I now take Centrum chewable multi vitamins, B-12 sublingual, I still take my Protonix for my stomach, afraid to not take it yet. Calcium citrate, it's important to make sure your calcium is Citrate not the other we cant absorb the carbonated one. I also am still taking my Wellbutrin.

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?

only side effects so far has been nausia. it's usually only when I have to drink milk with my protien drinks. have only had mild dumping. I'm just about three months out now and still coping with the changes.

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

The worst part for me was having to share my room with an elderly lady that was SICK.

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

The Support group that meets at the River Plex, in Peoria, is wonderful. I've just not been able to attend for Months. :( They are all so nice and welcoming when you go though. I miss going even though I didn't converse or interact much it was Always a Very good experience. I'd recommend Anyone, pre-op or post-op to attend as many as you can.

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

I had the LAP surgery so I have six Very small scars. Yes they're what I expected. just much smaller LOL!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateaus. UGH! I've had a few. I'm currently on one now. Bleck Bleck Bleck. I know I just need to up my protein and water intake and possibly add some workout and I'll get past it though.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really