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

I found out about 8 years ago, after my last child was born. I called University of Medacine and Dentristy and they sent me a booklet about the sergury, talk about scare someone to death. I considered it for a while and found out that my insurance company at that time didn't cover it, so I put it to the side. Matter of fact I still have it. The sergury now is very different than the booklet described.

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

I haven't heard anything from my insurance company yet.

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

My first meeting was very good. My surgeon was very nice and made me feel very comfortable.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I want to start living like I want!!!!!!!!!!! I want a healther lifestyle for me and my children.It is almost like a dream come true.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My hospital gives a very informative orientation and then that is how I decided.

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 do have fears. But I have more fears of what will happen to me if I don't have the sergury. I am healthy now except for my weight, I want to life my life. I discussed it with my family and they are supportive of 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?

My hisband is very supportive, my children are a little more concerned. My siblings were supportive also. They even said that they didn't think it is my diet that is my problem.

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

I only told one person about the sergury(a skinny person) she is also supportive. I am not sure if I am going to tell my employer the type of sergury. We will have to see about that.

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

My hospital stay went very well. I was only in for two days. The nurses kept a good watch on me and I saw a number of doctors through out the day. Bring slippers and a robe so you can feel comfortable taking walks thru the hallways. There isn't much of anything you need. You are only there for a short while and don't need much. I brought reading materials and didn't even use them

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

I had no complications from this surgery. I didn't run a fever, I am not leaking and all seemed to go really well.

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 getting a little scared. The closer I got to my date the more I started looking at things like it was the last time I was going to see them. Then I realized that I needed to think of how much better my life was going to be after the surgery and started to think very positive. The hardest thing was saying to my children that I would see them when I got done. They looked scared. I started to cry. But not for long, I was knocked out before I knew it. Then got the chance to see their little faces again. Keep positive and think of how and what you want to do when your surgery is over. And before you know it you will be where I am today. Starting over.

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

I am only home almost a week. I was a little afraid to come home so soon.But once I got home and was with the people I love I felt much better. Coming home was the right medacine at the right time.

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

I lived one hour from the hospital. That isn't so bad.

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 was put on soft foods before I even left the hospital. They brought me this HUGE tray of food. I really didn't even want anything. I was a little nauseous. I had a little egg and cheese, about three bites. then later that day I had some pured veg soup. Not the best. Since I got home I have been eating cottage cheese with a little fruit salad on it, yougert, meats and vegs from soups. I am not overduing my eating I haven't experienced any of the possible side effects such as dumping or throwing up.

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

I really am surprized I felt so good., I am walking thru the house. I went for a walk outside twice.(I am making sure I am always with someone)I even have done some laundry.

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

I am taking a Flinstone chewable once a day at this time.

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 for me was the nausia after the surgery. I haven't been sleeping so well either. The pain pills give me wierd dreams. I am not taking them during the day as of Sunday, which was only 6 days after my surgery.

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

As I have said earlier, the nausia and the leak test were the worst things to me.

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

I have gone to some support groups. There were some good topics, but some of them were of people who have lost weight and all they do is complain.

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

My scars are going away. Matter of fact, my daughter told me yesterday that she can hardly see them

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I seem to have more plateaus as time goes on. They can sometimes be a little depressing. It seems like I loose inches then loose weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no, I always had true friends. But I do get more guys looking at me.