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

As a nurse I met a young woman who had surgery and was back in due to beazore. Initially I felt it was the easy thiing to do. I dodn't realize it was a tool. I have a friend who has had much difficulty after surgery. My heart ached for her.

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

Not in this stage but as I work for an insurance company I see approvals and denials. My best advise is have an MD who will fight and follow the instructions such as 6 month attendance of medically managed weight loss

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

I haven't made decision yet all my doctors have recommendations. Just recently met someone who I believe is in this for more than the money

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just looked at my history, inability to lose weight development of prediabetes.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I do have issues with fatty foods at times so I thought that negative reinforcement of dumping syndrome might help in behavioral compliance

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'm more afraid of return of breast cancer or having stoke or MI> and not living my 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?

My husband reaction was to my choice of proceedures my sister was suprised.

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

I have told my direct supervisor. but have not told my manager. I figure I'll cross that bridge once approved.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

informative and liked opportunity to speak with surgeon withouta consult. helped me to decide re MD personality if it would be a match. I found my surgeon at a later seminar and his personality hit home so much so that I ecided to travel 1.5 hours to see him.

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

hospital stay was confortable. I was there overnight. important things easy to wear clothing without a waist for trip home. lip balm. everything else I brought like I pod was superfluous

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

None thank god

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 anxious questioned my decision to have surgery but was also anxious to gain a full life

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

rest develop eating habits and activity habits.I was home some discomfort but not much pain so I over did it at times but did not fully develop activity tolerance for work so mit was hard at return for work

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

traveled 1.5 hours to MD. Aftercare not affected except that I never could schedule post op dietician visit as I could not coordinate same. Biggest issues were finding a local support group. Found an in person and web meeting as well as obesity help no regrets once I found local support

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.

First big suprize was first dump post op due to lactose intolerance. This problem has not been consistent and still is off and on had severe pain and dumping from skim milk last night but often this does not happen so I am cautious when eating out

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

walking at home AND LOCAL IN DEVELOPMENT AFTER 2 WEEKS

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

BARIATRIC ADVANTAGE

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?

Duming was the worst felt limke I was dying when sick with same. Still happens infrequently.

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

preoperative anxiety and waiting for authorization

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

i tried local supportat hospital AND THROUGH GROUP FORMED IN OBESITY HELP.My best help has been Bariatric angels I travel 45 minutes for in person meetings and recently also have been doing their on line webinars via skype.It is great as I can find support whenever I need it

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

scars are as expected. I had lap gall bladderha preoperatively

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had plateaus and found support during these times. I have learned that the scale is not the best or only way to view progress. I learned to base progress on new changes in lifestyle and confidence

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People treat me the same it is just that I have a new self confidence and have a better perspective I no longer feel less thanothers