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

Well I had Polly Systic Overian syndrom and had to see a specialist.when I visited with the specialist he suggested that I have this surgery because I was insulin resistant and I would not see the age of 40 without having my first stroke.

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

I was lucky my husbands insurance paid for everything.

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

My experience was scary because a lot of thing went through my head like: I'm not going to qualify for this surgery or that the doctor was going to say that it was not for me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

well I sat in the waiting room and I saw all of the people there that had gone through the surgery and they were so open about there experience that it motivated me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor help with that. also reading and doing research on the internet.

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?

well that is funny question. I had to go to the hospital by myself until my husband and mother got out of work. Before I left the house in the morning I wrote a letter stating who I wanted my kids to stay with because I thought I was going to die. I want to tell anyone who has this same fear don't have trust in your doctor and it is all worth it in the long run. what I did was I told myself if I don't get this done I'm going to die anyway so if it's my time it's my time and prayed to God to help me.

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?

I thank God that my Family are so supportive especially my husband. he went with me to the orientation and read all of the materials given to me.

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

My employer was happy for me and actually told me about a friend of hers that also had surgery. I was out of work for about 6 weeks.

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

My stay at Morristown Memorial Hospital was really good I recomnend this hospital to anyone they treat you really good. I was there for about 2days.

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

I thank God that I did not have any 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 felt really good.

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

This time was a little difficult because you don't know what to eat and you can only eat broth and that was hard for me.

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

I traveled 30 min. to get to the hospital.

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.

wekk there was not much you could eat. For the first 2 weeks I only ate chicken or beef broth and yogurt lots of water. while the weeks keep passing I started eating tuna fish,cheese sticks,yogurt,etc.

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

well I started feeling a little lighter and having more enrgey. I could also bend down more easly.

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

I have been taking a Multivitamin, Caltrate, biotin, b12.

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?

the worst was my hair lost I had very thick hair and now I have a little bit of hair and very thin. I had very long hair and had to cut it short.

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

My worst experince was after about 3months I could not eat meat until about 4 months ago every time a ate it I would vomit.

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

I have not gone to any of the support groups.

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

My scars do not bother me at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was well worth my expericence I am very happy with the results and my husband is to.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes