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

I got interested in it once i saw the special on 20/20. I had heard of it before but never thought about it until i saw the special. Then i went to a aquintace to talk about it and she told me she was in the process of haveing it done. So i started researching it.

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

I haven gotten ins approval yet, my surgeon does things a little different. They dont submit until all testing is done and you have completed all the intial requirements.

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

The first meeting with the surgeon was great he answered all my question i had for him. And was pleased that i came with a list of questions for him. Dont be affraid to ask lots of questions. No question is stupid.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The more people i met the more i decided i was going to want the surgery. All of the research i did and the support groups i have been to help emensaly. And i want to live a healtheir life with my son, and a longer life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Well i am haveing the proceedure that my surgeon does. I really didnt make that decision he does the rouz-en-y lap and open i will be haveing lap.

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 am not to worried about complications becasue i am healthy otherwise, but i have had thoughts of possibly dieing and i guesse thats the chance i am willing to take. Well i guesse i would just say you could also die from being obese, there's really no difference.

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 mom and my sister are somewhat worried but very supportive, my husband is kinda on the quiet side he hasnt said too much either way but he is a quiet person anyway.

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

WELL I DIDNT ACTUALL TELL MY BOSS THE REAL REASON I WAS HAVING THE SURGERY BECAUSE SHE IS VERY UNSYMPATHETIC.

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

THE STAY IN THE HOSPITAL WAS FINE. I WAS THERE FOR 5 DAYS MY SURGERY ENDED UP BEING AN OPEN INSTEAD OF LAP DUE TO SOME COMPLACATIONS. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER TO BRING IS SOMETHING TO READ OR PUZZLES SOMETHING TO DO I WAS BOARD AS HECK.

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

I DONT HAVE ANY COMPLACATIONS POST SURGERY BUT DURING THE SURGERY I HAD A FEW COMPLICATIONS, THAT WERE MINIMAL.

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 FELT VERY ANXIOUS AFTER I GOT MY SURGERY DATE. I JUST TOOK IT ONE DAY AT A TIME.

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

WELL I AM GOING ON MY SECOND WEEK AT HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AND THINGS ARE OK I AM FEELING A LITTLE DEPRESSED BUT I AM SURE THAT HAS TO DO WITH ME NOT TAKING MY PROZAC BUT I AM UNABLE TO TAKE IT AT THIS POINT BECAUSE I AM NOT SUPPOSE TO SWALLOW PILLS. AND THIS PILL CANNOT BE CRUSHED BECAUSE IT IS TIMED REALESED.

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

I DIDNT HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR AT ALL, THE HOSPITAL IS 20 MIN FROM MY HOUSE.

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.

Well I found out right away that I wasnt going to tollerate sugar. stopped by my moms she offered me a pudding and I said ofcourse it's puree I didnt stop to think wether it had sugar or not. I find that if I do eat some things that have sugar alcohol I get sick form that also.I started on liquids, then full liquids, then puree then chopped within 5-6 weeks i was eating regular food but having to chew it very well and eat very slowly.

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

I didnt hav much energy until about the 5 week I was ready to go back to work and go work out but unfourtantly my surgeon said I wasnt ready to go work out quit yet. I have different sleeping habbit I never had before that I have now

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

I take Vitamin b-12 once a week a multi vitamin every day and two calcium 500 chewables everyday

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 have some nausia from eating some things, I do have sleep disturbance, and hair loss has gotten worse in the last couple of weeks. I had a horrible dream I lost all my hair....I just keep telling my self things will get better and things have gooten better with some things since surgery

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

The worst part of this whole thing was the bowl prep, if I never have to do that again I will be the happiest person ever

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

We have a support group that meets twice a month and its a wonderful group. I also use this web sit for support. These support groups are very helpful and needed by everyone, i dont know what i would do without these support groups

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

Well my scar is a lot bigger than expected because the doctor started out doing lap but had to open me, so now not only do I have 5 litlle scars I have a big one also

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had a few plateus since surgery but nothing major I didnt get upset cause you told over and over again that this is going to happen so I was prepared.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice that I am getting more looks from men other than that no one seems to be treating me different.