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

Therre was some women at work who Inoticed had lost wight, but I didnt think musch of it till a friend had it done and I cooldnt believe how she looked 6 mths after surg. I talked to her alot about what happens, who the dr was, what is required, what she had to do before and after surg. I had tons of questionss for her. I wanted this surg since it was a way to get off the insulin, my main concern, and a way to lose weight.

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

There was no problem at all getting approved since I WAS and still am a diabetic.

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

I thought he rushed me and acted like he had better things to be doing besides talking to me about this. He did tell me that 85% of his patients who are diabetic and have this surg get off the insulin within 4 to 5 months. Not so with me its been one year and 1/2 and still on insulin and will never come off.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

To get off the insulin.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The dr decided that.

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 didnt have any fears. Nervouse yes. But now after what I know and what I went through I would tell people that they have a right to feel scared. There are complications that they dont tell you about and things that you will be more prone to now after the surg. If I had known thesee I wouldnt have had the surg.

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?

They thoought it was too drastic to do but they did support me.

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

I was out of work from the 14th of june to Sept. I ended up haveing an open surg and that took more time to heal. They were great about it since alot of people were haavingit done.

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

I had everything that coould go wrong did. I had blood cclots in my lings so bad that I was in ICU for almost 2 weeks with 100% oxgyen. I was in and out of the hospital from June to Sept and there aare still times now when I have to be admitted. I now have Cirroshis of the liver cause of the surgery. That is something that no dr tells you that you are now prone to get. Also kidney stones you are now prone to. I jusst had a stone removed the other day. No picnic. I will find out how badd my liver is when they do a biopsy. My lungs are so scared thaat its hard for me to breathe. If I knew that I would have had this much trouble I would never have had this surg. I do know that I will not let another Dr cut on me again for any reason.

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

I was only allowed liquids to drink and couldnt keep even that down. I staarted walking the day I got home which was difficult since I had the open surg but I did walk about 2 houses down and back.

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

about 5 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.

After much time I could toleeraate soft foods and liquids but that was if I took something for the neausa first. There are things that I can eat today that I might not be able to eat tomorrow. Some things give me lots of gas and others give me dirrehea or neausa or both. Egg rolls I can eaat so for a while there that was all I was eating. No not a whole one aat one time,,it would take me all night to eat it. Jello is good I can do that. Bread aat the beginning was not possible at all, rice Iicould handle. Now I can eat 1/2 a slice of bread. But not everyday.

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

My situation was different than mosst since I spent most of my first 3 or 4 months in the hsopital, but now I am doinng better about activity. I am getting ready to join the Y so that I can swim aas often as I want. Coaaarse I have to buy a bathing suit first but that is my plan. I can now walkk farther. I go to the mall and do some walking, can't walk the whole thing yeet but hopefully one day I will be able to.

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

I have been taken one a day multi vitamins. My dr said NOT to drink protein drinks but after reading all the possts I have started to drink it and I think it has helped.

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 am still losing my hair and that bothers me a lot. I didnt have lots to begin with and now I looke like I am a cancer patient on chemo. Nausia, vomiting and dirrehea aare the worst. I still have both of them as well.

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

All of the complications that I had.

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

Right after surg there was no support group not even from the dr who did the surg. But here latly I have joined one and between them and this website I have found more information and learned much more than I did from the dr.

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

Its a big long one and no it was suppose to be done lap but he said he couldnt do it that way cause of scar tissue. I dont buy it but what can I do now. NOTHING>

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Doors are being held open by men when I go into a building, and thats different. I have had people tell me that I am so tiny and that blows me away since there are still times when I think of myself as still being heavy.