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

I heard about it back in 1990 and wanted to see if it really worked for those who were going to get the surgery for weight loss

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

I am a Kaiser member and I had no problems at all.

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

My first visit with Dr Alami was very informative, plus he asked me what did I know about wls.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

health problems did not want to progress to being sick all the time

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Until I research the sleeve I was not interested. I attended wls support groups and spoke with post sleeve patients and I like the ideal of no rerouting/dumping or malabsorption. I was looking for a restrictive 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?

I knew the risks, I went through the prep procedures, spoke with post op wls clients. I did not have fears, my fears was the progression of the diabetes, blood pressure, arthritis.

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?

Most of my friends, coworkers and myy family were very supportive, but were afraid of the risks. After I explained to them how risky I was without it they understood. It has been wonderful the post surgery support.

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

They wish me well and offered help if I needed it. I only needed three weeks off from work.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

It was very informative and supportive. I went to the support group afterwards and that helped me a lot to be succesful with the preop diet and breaking/forming new habits.

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

I had my surgery on a wednesday went home the next day at 7pm. I had very little discomfort/nausea and it was relieved with the pain control pump and anti nausea medicine. The nurses were well informed in wls post op care. I was able to walk four times the day after surgery, sit up in the chair, keep the clear lq and full lq diet down. They had takened the foley catheter out that morning before I started walking the halls. Bring a pillow, ipod, nice slippers and lounging gown on.

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

No complications from surgery.

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 anxious to get it done I was excited. I was very focus on the dietary and how to make it work after surgery. I attended the support groups and the support groups on line. It helped me a lot. I still depend on them.

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

I am two weeks out. It is a huge adjustment. Not being able to bend over or lift things is difficult unless you have help or the tool to pick things off the floor. I make sure I get my protein in first which is isopure 0 carbs and I mix it with pudding and it takes about half hour. I also do the cottage cheese/plain yoqurt and muscle lite milk. Baby food came in handy and I would put trader joes chx concentrated broth and it taste better. I sip flavored water without any sweeters till i get my 64 oz The whole day is all about you and your nutrition. Than you have to walk/exercise.

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

I stayed at a motel 1 mile from the hospital for two days just in case I needed to go back.

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.

only two weeks out now. I am on full liquids only but I am not that humgry. I fill up easily just on one jar of baby food or half cup of yoqurt. I should be starting out on stage three by next week, but I have decided to stay on full liquids for another week to be sure that my stomach is healing properly.

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

two weeks after my surgery, i have a lot of energy, and I am ususally one that doesn't stay still for very long. I have discomfort at the incision site that they took the stomach out of but it doesn't last long. I am determined to make this surgery work for me.

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

Calcium citrate chewys, b12/b1/ multivit chew twice a day,

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?

nause only occasional when I eat or sip too fast. Sleeping better, have not vomit at all. It reminds to slow down and take smaller sips.

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

Waiting too long to begin the process.

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

I go to one at the Kasier hospital and plan to attend others in the near future, and online support groups. I believe that it is necessary to keep with the groups for the first five years as there is only a 46% sucess rate. Most people go back old habits or pick up new addictions and begin to stretch their stomachs. I have met quite a few and heard from many others.

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

I have four tiny scars and yes it is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

they are concerned whether I am getting enough norishment, losing the weight too quickly, But I have to remind them to eat what they want to that it doesn't bother me. I don't want to go back to 259 #