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

Doing an internet search to find the latest "Miracle Diet", I came across infromation on surgical weight loss. I can't decribe my excitement over it.

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

Be persistant. I could'nt find a PCP that was familar enough with the surgery to approve it so it was a matter of me caling everyone close to my area and interviewing their office manager.

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

It was really informative. Even with all that you read, unless you get a straight forward Dr. like mine, you may think you know it all. I learned a few things from my visit with him and I liked the fact that he didn't rush me and took the time to go over everything with me and answer ALL the questions I and my hubby had.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The pain......Every time I have to get out of bed, shower, dry off, put on shoes, get dressed, bend over, stand too long, walk or sit too long, it hurts. I now waddle when I walk because of the weight, My cheast is soo heavy it hurts my back, my back hurts soo much I cringe at using the bathroom. I'm 27 years old and have to dress like I'm 40 because the style of clothes that are made for overweight people. Also, my beautiful babies. I want to have fun with them, play with them and run around and get on the park toys with them. I want to go leaving them with good memories, not memories of my being in too much pain to have been able to play of do anything with them.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Dr. does all his surgery laproscopic which is what I wanted to I can get on with the healing and doing more activity in and out of my house.

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 have no fears. Just excitement of whats to come. I want this surgery so I have nothing but excitment over it. I pray that things will go smoothly of course. I have a 4 daughter and 5 year old son who starts school this year. I am doing this so I can do more with them and for me. With everything you do, weather you know it or not there is a chance for accidents and complications it's a matter is being informed prepared and taught properly how to do things right and deal with 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?

My husband was fine with it. My Aunt who's a nurse didn't approve because of an associate who had it and now looks sick. But my other aunt who has a heart condition and knows the problems associated with being obese gave me the OK. Her blessing made it all easy for me.

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

Not employed.

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

Miserable, I never got any sleep. I was there 5 days, ready to go home by the 3rd. They provided everything so all I had to bring was comfortable slippers.

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

Yes, I developed a stricture two weeks after the surgery but dismissed the fact that I threw up everything to my new pouch being sensitive. Well 1 month and 5 days after my surgery I got the stricture balloned, which resulted in my sutures getting torn and my insides leaking inside of me. I was rushed to emergency surgery where I had the surgery done again and I have felt wonderful since then.

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've been fine, sometimes I want something I can't have but then I'll smell it or get a lick and then feel alright and don't want it again.

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

The first few weeks home were weird for me cause there was no pain at all. So if not for the scars, I would never know I had surgery. I was never hungry, but was thirsty. I didn't use the bathroom much so when I did go , it was almost strange. I would watch everyone eat and feel like I'm full and I wish they'd stop eating. I also had strange dreams where I would dream I was eating everything I could get my hands on, and then I'd wake up either moving my mouth or have a mouth full of saliva.....

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

I was 15 minutes from Home!!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOO...

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.

Before my surgery I cound'nt eat eggs with out throwing up. Since my surgery I can have eggs with no problem. I am not able to eat cottage cheese though. I get sick within min.

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

I've started the gym. Doing mostly cardio and some weight lifting. The weight loss has increased since I've started working out.

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

Flinstones, childrens, Tums chewables, and B12 from my Doc.

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?

That feeling of fullness 30 minutes after eating and the desire to drink something are the worst feelings, and still are. I suck on Ice cubes to deal with that.

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

My hospital stay.

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

Once a month we all meet and discuss what were as individuals are doing and dealing with and it helps others out and provides much needed info for variety....

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

5 small incisions. I thought they would be longer. But now I hope what I do have shrinks with me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

During my seven month post-op, I slowed down to the point where from Feb-Mar I had lost just 2 lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I get helped faster at the stores and people seem nicer and willing to do more to help me then before. I seemed to get ignored when I went anywhere before.