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

One of my bestfriends had the surgery. My initial reaction was "it too dangerous".

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

The insurance approval was pretty easy. The insurance company does not get in any hurry to approve you. They want as much documentation about your previous diets as possible.

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

My first visit was very routine. If you have not educated yourself before visiting with your surgeon, ask lots of questions. Make sure his staff has no problem with you calling and asking quesions after your first visit.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just decided not to have another summer of avoiding doing activies with my kids for fear of embarrassing them. I also wanted to feel better about myself.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on laproscopic because it is less intrusive.

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?

The only fear I had was the pain. It was not as bad as I thought. I never thought of dying.

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 very scared of losing me. My kids were behind me 100%. My mother was my biggest supportter. My father had no reaction. I had one friend who was totally against the surgery(she is a perfect candidate for the surgery), she is now scheduled to visit my doctor in July.

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

I took off 1 month. My employer was very supportive.

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

I was in the hospital for 3days. The most important thing to bring is chapstick.

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

None

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 so excited about my new life.

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

I moved around very slow. I had a very hard time with liquids. Everything I tried to drink made me sick at my tummy. I would have to make myself eat or I would go all day with no food.

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

About 5miles.

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.

After about six weeks I could finally drink fluids without the horrible feeling in my tummy. Ground meat was tough on my stomach.

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

I had very little activity until about 5 weeks after surgery.

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

I take four gummy vitamins from Walmart daily. I drink a protein shake every once in a while.

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?

Nausia for about 6 six weeks. My hair loss is very bad now at 3mos post op.

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

The gas after surgery.

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

None. The doctor I choose did not have a good after care program.

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

I had Laproscopic, so my scars are very small. Much better than I ever dreamed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My weight loss has slowed down considerable since my six month anniversary, however it has never stopped.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No! But I do feel like am part of life again.