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

I first of it by my OB-GYN. He suggested I check into it. I did and ws alittle afraid at first.

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

Insurance went well exept it seemed to take forever. I am an impatient person.

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

It was a little dissapointing. He just showed me what he would do and told me to give his receptionist all my info and they would start the insurance process. Go in knowing what is ahead of you. My dr. basically just does the surgery and the rest is up to you to figure out. RESEARCH

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was on 10 different meds and still not feeling good. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the least invasive procedure as possible

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 didn't have those fears because I am the queen of surgeries. Now that I know what all could go wrong I would suggest to research your dr. thoroughly and the staff working with him.

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?

Family was real supportive but I think I would hold off on telling very many friends because they are waiting to see me fail.

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

I don't work out side the home

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

My surgery started with my OB-GYN going in first and doing a few female things. It took longer than expected because there was more damage than anticipated. When the surgeon started his part I was already and hour late on the schedule. During this surgery the surgeon knicked my gastrial artery and I lost 4 to 6 units of blood. He also stapled into my ring and had to repair that. I got out of surgery and was sent to my room. My mother stayed with me for the first two nights. My heart rate would not go below 150 for two days and no one could figure out what was wrong. On the fourth day they took my back into surgery and the surgeron realized that the first few staples at the top of my stomach didn't go all the way through so he fixed that. Then he noticed I had a fairly large abcess on my pancreas. He removed that and closed me up. I was in ICU for 3 days. The nursing staff was wonderfull. I went through alot but was in good hands the whole time. I was in the hospital this time for 10 days. I had to return two weeks later because my pancreas had swollen to 3 times its normal size and causing me alot of pain and discomfort.I was in this time for 9 days. The most important things to bring is extra pillows and your address book.

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

Just went day to day with them. Tried to do what the dr. told me to do.

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 ate like crazy, I went to all my favorite places to eat and pigged out. When I got anxious I got on the internet and sot people out that was or has gone through the same thing

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

I was very tired and could do nothingfor the first 5 weeks. Don't push yourself. Listen to your body. It will tell you everything you need to know.

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

One hour trip one way. It didn't affect it at all.

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.

The first 6 weeks were clear liquids with a little full liquids added in at the end. Graduated to pureed foods but couldn''t handle that so just went on into regular foods. Tuna, chicken, jello,mashed potatos,baked beans, chopped bar-b-que beef. At 4 month post-op I can tolerate very tender steak. but cannot eat brisket. I can eat breads and raw veggies.

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

First five weeks were very slow. Then I was gradualy able to increase it. I still get tired out easily but I am getting better

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

Liquid vitamin from GNC, B-complex,and protien drink.

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 thing for me is so far the hair loss. I am still having it at 4 and 1/2 months and I hope it ends soon.

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

Not knowing if I was going to live or not.

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

The only support group I have is the internet and I just stared seeing a counselor to help me understand why I eat. Can't do this without some one to help me through it.

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

Since I was opened twice in the same spot it is huge and ugly. But my kids call it my centapede.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been on a "weight loss" plauteu for 1 and 1/2 months but I am still loosing inches. I started working out at a health club and everything is turning to muscle so the scale isn't moving.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, guys open doors for me. I even had a drop dead hunk of a man actually come up to me and start a conversation with me. I haven't had that happen in years. But I also find I am treating over weight people differently now and I don't like it. I am going to work on that.