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

My daughter's friend had it, it seemed exciting

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

Didn't try, was told it wasn't covered, after I scheduled my surgery I found my insurance would have paid, but I would have had to delay my surgery by 3 months or more and I felt I might not live much longer

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

It was a general meeting with a lot of people, my first meeting with my doctor was more personal, I felt encouraged

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I didn't think I could live without it, literally

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The lap band wasn't available and I didn't want laprascopic, so I had open gastric bypass

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?

None, I would do it all again, even though I have gained some weight back

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 were all for my decision and I even had my surgery on my wedding anniversary

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 only 2 weeks and went back 1/2 days for a week, they were very supportive

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

Horrible, being a nurse, I know the care I should have had, but it wasn't what I got. I wrote a letter to my surgeon and the hospital. I was there 3 days and take your own pillow

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

None, I followed my doctor's instructions to the letter and lost 121 pounds in about 5 months

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

Excited, like it couldn't happen soon enough, no anxiety whatsoever

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

I did very well, went back to work in 2 weeks but I had an office job. I can only say everyone is different, but I did great

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

In town

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 its mostly soft and pureed food, sugar is out, I found after about a year I could eat sugar, but alcohol is like giving it to a child, not a good idea, I have a little trouble now with some meat, but take it lightly and quit when I feel the need. I have had to take B12 shots, but not for the first couple years

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

I did what I could, after all my surgery was an open gastric bypass, so like any abdominal surgery I had to take it slow, but I walked and eventually got an above ground pool and walked in that at least 1-2 times a day (Arizona is too hot in the summer for me to walk outside water) But as I lost I found I was more active and felt mucy better

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

I used shewable vitamins at first, more digestable, I took Tums for calcium and add protein powder or powdered milk to things to get enough protein, I now have to give myseld B12 injections monthly and I still take vitamins

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 had some hair loss, but as I increased my diet it stopped and I have all my hair back, I got dumping syndrome one time with sweet and sour pork, so I stayed away from sugar for a couple years. It's not hard to cope when the weight is dropping off

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

I gained 60 pounds back but have low 20 of it. As my stomach stretched, I could eat a little more, but because of the dumping I could also eat more often and I don't walk any more, so it's my own fault. I also lost interest in weight loss when quoted $30,000.00 dollars for surgery just to get rid of extra skin. My brain sai we can't afford that let's eat. I have a huge pannus and get frequent rashes, I have to buy larger shirts and blouse because of arm skin, so I don't look very trim.

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

I went to the one at my hospital for awhile, but I felt they were a little egotistical, for me anyway

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

I have one from my zyphoid process to my belly button, I have also since had two hernia repairs for incisional hernias

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateaued when I went to the plastics doc and have gone up and down since then

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, because the people I associate with now have only known me at this weight