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

My friends mother had the surgery about 6 years ago at age 60. She did wonderful with it. No complications and she feels great.

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

I had no problems. I had a very detailed letter showing all of my co-morbidities.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health is not great. I believe I need to lose the weight or something is going to go very wrong.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have spoken to (3) friends who all had the Open Bypass. Then the surgeon also recommended the same surgery.

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?

At this point I don't even want to talk about it because I have ALOT OF FEARS. If I think about them I might sway myself out of having the surgery. I AM VERY SCARED!!!!!

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 would say they are 50/50 on the idea. Some friends tell me i'm crazy and don't understand how I could do this. I try to explain it may be life or death but they still don't get it.

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

My boss thinks it is wonderful as long as I am sure about it. He told me he just want me to be HEALTHY.

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

My hospital stay was not so bad considering I had to be there for 3 days. I would rather of went home. I didn't really bring much besides a bathrobe and slippers.

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

No complications from the surgery, thank God

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 very nervous, scarred, and excited all at the same time.

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

Well I came home on a Friday feeling GREAT!!. , By the time Tuesday came around I did not feel so wonderful. I was having a hard time getting my liquids down and was nauses all the time, I dehydrated myself. I ended up back in the hospital that night until Thursday. They also discovered I had a touch of Pancreatitis. I came home Thursday and by Friday I felt like a new woman and still do. I feel WONDERFUL. I had my surgery on Tuesday November 27th and I am already down over 40 lbs.

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

Not far at all maybe 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.

I am on soft food as of Tuesday and have not had a problem yet. I have been keeping everything down so far.

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

I have been doing a little walking not much. I plan to start next week.

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

My doctor only wants me to take the multi-vitamin for now.

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 not experienced any of that and I hope I never will.

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

Being in the hospital for 3 days.

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

None as of yet. I will look for one though.

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

Not to bad approx 6-7 inches. My surgeon said he had to make the incision a bit longer due to scar tissue.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!!!