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

friend had it done ,and she has lost alot of weight and i was all for it , same doctor said he wouldn't refer me because I couldn't afford the surgery(he said blue care network wouldn't cover it)what a jerk.

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

It takes time, I just kept bugging them , it started out I waited a month, they hadn't received anything from my surgeon, then I called two weeks later , still nothing, then it was once a week, then everyday, surgeons office fax my paperwork again(which I believe the lady at the surgeon's office never fax it in the first place)they received it at cigna, it was being reviewed by board, I waited a week and called back, they said was approved 3 days age.

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

It was exciting , my surgeon was very nice , little dry personality, but he cracked a few smiles, I had research this surgery for 2yrs, so I knew what alot about it, i still asked alot of questions , when you go for consultation, have a list of questions ready , and don't be affraid to ask anything

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

the surgery was and is working for alot of people, I decided the minute I heard this girl telling me about this weight loss surgery, and that she was 287lbs. and look like maybe she weighed 130lbs. and she had it 2 years prior

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

the Bariatric center in Ann Arbor at the time only did open Rny's

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?

the only fear I had, was that I would die. I have 3 children and I was worried how they would go on without me and who would raise them (which I had nothing to worry about I have 10 siblings and a mother who would in a heart beat), It's something everyone thinks about , thank god for obesity.com the people on this site help me with this talking to me and congratulating me , telling me about their experience. I actually got down on my knee's and ask god to help me , if it was his wish for me to die , just makes sure my kids were taken care of , and that he would help them through the hard times and I felt more at ease, still 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?

my family was all for it my kids kept telling me that they loved me just the way I'm(they were worried), my husband said if that's what you want , do it. the only one telling me not to was my oldest sister, she kept telling me "your insurance will not cover it " when I knew that they have covered it before , then when I got approved she was telling me it's dangerous people die all the time from that surgery,then she was trying to spook me out of having it , well now after losing 125lbs she says maybe I should have that surgery. and she says that I look smaller then her because i'm taller.

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

my boss thought I was crazy, I told them the truth, I wasn't ashamed to let anyone know I was having weight loss surgery, I was excited, a new beginning people were excited for me , but you could tell the ones that were jealous(only women)because they would always say you can't lose weight on your own, or alot of over weight people have that because they are to lazy to do it on their own.I was out of work for 2 months only because I couldn't get in to see doctor to release me back to work, could've went back at 6 weeks

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

3 days to long, wanted to go home in a lot of pain, but I needed to be there. just was in a lot of pain. cloths to go home in they supply everything for you

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

no

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 excited , but also scared to death, I talked to a lot of people on this web site

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

my first night home I was in alot of pain , you hurt alot , but I slept on my belly on my waterbed it felt so good as long as i didn't move much. everyday you feel better, the pain is easier to deal with, just go slow, I felt so much better in 1 week

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

I live 2-3 hours away, it really didn't affect it when I had to go to my visit,I would stop evey 30 minutes to walk alittle and then I would take off again

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 only liquids , which wasn't bad because you can't drink that much, then it went to pureed which is really bad because I couldn't stand looking at it , very gross, who wants to eat a grilled cheese sandwich pureed?then it was soft foods , not bad more selection. then it was solid foods scared I would it to much to fast. the second week was bad only because I was feeling like I was depriving myself from food , I guess you could call them the DT's , I cried I was depressed I kept asking myself what did I do to myself. sugar is off limits and food high in fat gives me the shakes , my heart starts pumping fast. but actually I can have the same foods I had before , just made differant, and alot smaller portions, but foods with high protein are at the top of the list

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

at first I was very slow , then I kept walking cleaning what I could , more energy then, and walked alot

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

bugs bunny chewable , centrum , and iron

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?

for the first 5 months sometimes I would eat, and feel like I was going to get sick , only dry heaves,hair started to come out about the 4th month it has now stopped.

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

the second day after surgery, and wanting to go home

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

my family

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

my scar is from 3 fingers down from breast bone just past my belly button

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

at first no plateau's now after 117lbs every 1-2 months

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes people are a lot better , they notice me now