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

I know someone that had, had it several years ago and she did very well - I just did not have enough guts to go for it. Plus I did not realize my Insurance wuld pay for it.

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

Make sure you and your PCP write a precise detailes letter of the diets he has had you on and things you have tried yourself. And how your weght has effected your life style, medical cond & emotional

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

Very Comfortable. He talks with you very human like not like you are a uncontrolled person that has brought this on all by yourself.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was sick of being fat. There were a lot of things I could not do because of my weight. You live once and I want to do a lot of things that my weight stood in the way of.

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

My stay was short and sweet. It was done as out patient and I went home the next day. Toothbrush.

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

No

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

Well I got a phone call and they bumped mine up. So I had one week to get ready, but I was very excited.

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

I was never in pain but getting up and down and turning over were uncomfortable. Of my incision was only about 5 inches long.

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

about 8 miles

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.

At first I was on clear liguids, which was fine I was never hungry. By the 3rd week I could have soupy mashed potatos and runny grits and a saltine, Did well with all. About 5th week I tried a rib and had trouble with that and a piece of roast did not agree. Most everything I did okay with. I ate and still do eat popsicles(low cal) and sugar free fudge sicles.

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

First week was slow gradually increased, went back to work after the 3rd week. tired easy

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

Calcium and Multi Vit

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?

It has only been 7 weeks today so as for how long I don't know yet. I have been nausiated mostly when I have ate something really sweet or I did not chew it good enough. But nothing extreme only a couple of times. Hair loss is minimal notice in drain and when I brush.

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

The feeding tube, not so much as having to use it as it tended to iritate me right where it went in.

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

I ahve not been to one yet - but there is one the first Tuesday of every month, and I think it would do me good to talk to others that have had the surgery by the same Dr.

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

It is about 5 inches long and not bad at all. Ithought it would be a lot worse

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost really good before surgery as I said I lost 43 lbs in 3 months - but at 5 weeks out I had only lost 7 lbs that is discouraging. That is why I say it would be good to talk to people taht had it by the same surgeon, because I am sure losing before hand has made it a sloweer proces. But I expected the first few weeks to be my best.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No