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

My medical doctor suggested that I might be a good candidate and my first reaction was NO WAY..No way am i gonna have major surgery just to Loose Weight..I can do this myself..and all the time I knew I was lying to him and to myself

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

I did not have any problem..I have medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield..so my insurance dealing were all handled through the doctors office

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was fighting a loosing battle..I could not handle the weight myself and I was getting larger all the time..I was getting so I could not walk from one room to the other without sitting down to rest..I was almost to the point of being housebound...

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I really didnt decide..I went into my surgeons office with an open mind and had him explain to me what he thought was the best route to take and why

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 to admit i was a little scared..I was not terrified..I put it in Gods hands..and I figured if i didnt have the surgery I was gonna die anyway or have a very miserable life..At least this tool is here so we have a chance..I would say to people..don't do this surgery on a whim..because you may have a few vanity pounds..this is serious serious business..and there could be some fatal consciences..be very aware of what you are doing and know this is the only way out for you.

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 family except for my husband was very supportive all during my waiting period for the surgery..He just didn't want me to undergo major surgery..Right before my surgery, during my surgery and after my surgery..he has been GREAT..no way could i have gone through this without his support..He has done everything for me that is in his power to make this a good experience for me..as have all my family..everyone is very supportive.

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

retired

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

My stay in the hospital was alright...I was there for 3 days..and I had very good care and did not feel like i was neglected at all..The hospital staff at OSF St.Francis in Peoria Illinois are very good at their job and appeared to me to be very caring people..to me and to my family..

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

No Complications

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 a little upset hoping i had done the right thing..but I understand most people feel like this..I just figured out by myself it is over now and I have to deal with it and actually learned to accept it and loving my weight loss..I also talked to my family members and they made me feel like i had done the best thing for me..they were very supportive

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

The first few days home from the hospital i did suffer some pain but it was not unbearable..also I was very tired and somewhat sore and i did sleep a lot.. I had quite a bit of company and I think that should be put on hold until a person is feeling more like themselves..

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

My surgeon and the hospital I had my surgery at is approx 50 miles from my home...It has not affected my aftercare at all..at this time

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.

In the first weeks home..I ate mostly..jello,soup broth, sugar free pudding,popsicles,protein shakes,applesauce in the next couple of weeks i added egg whites,cheese,oatmeal,cottage cheese In the next couple weeks i added pureed meats,potato (baked or boiled or mashed) ice cream,crackers

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

At first i was worn down..i was not very active at all..as time as passed i have noticed my activity level increasing all the time. Now that I am 6 weeks out of surgery..i am helping with cooking meals, cleaning,(to an extent) laundry, and I am even walking through stores instead of riding in the wheel chairs..THIS IS GREAT

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

I take vitamin B-12 x 1 a day Tums EX x 4 a day Flintstones childrens vitamin x 2 per day

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 have nausea and vomiting to this day..I try not to eat to fast or to much and that controls it best.I am still coping with it best i can..and it is still affecting me at this time.

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

The waiting from first surgeon visit to actual time of surgery..It was the very worst..

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

At this time i am not attending either one..There is an aftercare program I could attend in the town where i had the surgery..

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

My scar looks very nice..it is nicely healed..It is approx 9 inches long..with scares to each side of it from the staples..

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

just in the respect they tell me how very proud of me they are