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

Some of the women I work with, had the surgery, a couple of them had complications, but every one made out well with the surgery, even those with complications. At first, I thought that I wouldn't do that, I could do it on my own, but my past experiences showed me that I couldn't do it and keep it off. I am glad I had it done.

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

Follow up/follow up. With both the insurance company and the Dr. offic.

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

I never actually met the surgeon, until after the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I couldn't stand the pain in my knees, and ankles, I like to be active, and I was beginning to feel I couldn't do anything without really bad pain.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The dr. basically decided what would be done. I just trusted that he knew what he was doing, and he did.

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 was not fearful. I do not smoke, and was relatively healthy and I enjoy exercise. I also believe that attitude plays a large part in how quickly you recover, and I must say I have a good attitude.

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 chidren just wanted me to assure them that this is what I wanted done, and they were behind me all the way. I have a wonderful partner, and he also was there for me. He stayed with me every day until I was ready to go back to work.

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

I would say that my supervisor was also there for me. I had worked for her for 15 yrs, and she knew what kind of trouble I had to take the weight off. I just told her I was having the surgery, and she said she didn't blame me, I was out of work from 2/20/01 to 3/26/01

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

I am very self sufficient so I didn't need much help in the hosptial. I was there starting on Wed. and left on Fri. I didn't need to bring anyting, the hospital supplied everything I needed.

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

No complications

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 didn't have any anxiety, but learning to eat slowly has been interesting. If I eat too fast, I feel real bad, I'm just getting the hang of eating slowly.

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

Follow what the Dr. tells you, about eating, exercise, and taking your vitamins. My first few weeks were a learning experience, learning what I could eat, how to eat, etc. Now I am eating a new food every day, but still making sure it is low in fat, and not sugary. If something is too sweet, I can tell it right away by the way my stomach feels, also if you try to eat too much, your stomach lets you know.

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

1 hr. each way, I did not have a problem with the aftercare.

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.

There hasn't been anything I could not eat, except the first 3 or 4 weeks, I stuck to soft things, after the 6th week, I've tried a new food daily, and see how I react to it. If I have a reaction, I wait a couple of weeks, and try it again, usually with no problem.

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

I usually walk 1.5 to 5 miles about every other day. I was walking everyday, but an old heal spur began acting up, so now I go every other day, with some pain, but I still want to walk, I actually like to go for long walks.

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

I take a multi vitamin, b12, and a tums in the morning, then in the afternoon, I take another multi vitamin and tums in the afternoon, usually around 2 to 3pm.

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 haven't had any of these. the only one is vomiting, and only if I eat too fast.

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

The shoulder pain I experienced right after the surgery, I would suggest that they prop the arm up so it is more in line with the body, when it is lower for, in my case 5.5 hrs, it aparently pinches a nerve, and my arm and hand was numb for 3 days. I know they said it is from the gas they put into your stomach for the surgery, but I think it has more to do with how your arm is lower on the operating table.

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

I have gone to the monthly support meeting, starting the month after my surgery, my family have been a good support to me also. I enjoy the people and hearing about how they have done since their surgery, I think the meetings are helpful

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

I have about 5 small incisions, they are a little red, but I'm sure they will fade, just as my Csection scar did.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not experinced any yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, everyone that I know have been very good to me, always asking how I'm doing, and if I feel well. Really nothing different than before.