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

A nurse told me about it...I wanted to have it done as soon as I found about it, and the more I learn the more I want it done.

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

My approval process was fast. 94 days from 1st meeting with surgen to day of surgery.

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

Was great! I love my surgeon. (He reminds me of Dr.House from the TV Show House.) He knows what he wants and wants to make sure that you know exactly what your in for.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

All the research I've done.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Surgeon recommended it

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?

There are complacations for all surgeries. You can't let it stop you from trying to live your life to the fu llest.

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?

They are all very supportive

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

They are also supportive

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

I stayed at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay,WI. It was a great stay. I was there for 5 days. I made sure to bring my pillow! You will need it for the ride home to hold when you cough or sneeze.

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

My only complication was they pulled out my shoulder on the operating table. I had more pain with that that the operation itself. Hot and Cold packs did the trick to heal that.

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 felt great! I have more energy than before surgery. The only pain I really had was the "pulls" from the staples and if I "over did it" during the day I would get little side aches.

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

My first week was easy. I thought I had it made. Untill week two. I was so sick, I hardly ate or drank the whole week. I was using my G-tube all the time. After that week I slowly got better and stronger.

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

I travel 1 1/2 hours away. This just makes me want to keep my dates more because I have to take a full day of work off to go.

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 seemed to only be able to eat canned fruit(oranges were the best) at first. I am now 6 weeks out and I can eat most mushy foods, except for meats.

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

At first I was not active at all. I now walk 1.5 miles 3xper week and I work out 1/2 hour 2xper week.

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

complete multi-vitamin and a Vitacal every day and B-12 1xper week.

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?

nausea the first couple weeks. I can now just feel when something will not go down.

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

Being bored at home alone. I was out for work 7 weeks and I live by myself in a rural area so I got bored easly the first couple weeks when I could not lift and bend alot.

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

I use this site of course. I also go to 2 different groups. and have alot of great friends and family that are all pulling for me.

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

I had open RNY, so I have a scar from right below my ribcage down to my bellybutton. It's shorter than I expected.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, they are more positive when they talk to me.