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

saw it on tv 1991 and tried to get it then and was not approved because considered expermental

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

i did not have a problem this time but be sure to put all duck in a row and then when things are needed you can get your hands on them quick doing away with the long delays with paper work

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

he informed me of everything complacations and sucesses and also the whole process and how it all works and how it looks and what he does.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i have wanted this surgery for 9 years and i felt very desperate with my life and how it was slipping away from me so there was no choice in that matter i wanted my life back very desperately

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i was only offered one procedure that was a gastric bypass.

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 had many fears but some of them dealt with my own friends dying from the surgery a few months ago.only you can decide if this is for you. no one else can make that decision. i felt that i was dying slowly or i could try to live and i chose to live. it is scarry but sometimes no scarrier than living large.

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 mother, and brothers and friends could not have been more supportive than they were and of course they all were scared for me but now they are happy with the progress that i have made. i lost l friend over this and she was my friend for 15 yrs but she lost her eating buddy and i dont fit in her life now. i am praying that she will look in my direction for her own life sake. god was on my side with this and with lots of prayer all things are possible

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

told me to take all the time that i need. i am still off but returning on monday 9-17 for a few hrs a week.

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

slow i was in from wed to sat and went home to rest. dont take anything let them provide the gowns and slippers. i had only the clothes that i wore in the morning of my surgery

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

the only thing that i had was heart burn and they gave me liquid zantak and send home the kind that disolves in your mouth

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 only had a week and i was busy setting my house in order in case something happened i am single with children and need to take care of that situtation. and was all settled if something happened.

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

i am only 2 weeks but still feel very tired most days i dont think that i am walking enough and going to start tomorrow going somewhere else to do that instead of my driveway. hopeing to start swimming also this week and see if that boost my energy level

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

my surgery was in the local hospital and sure glad that it was since it was a effort just to get home. walking down those floors and out to your car. slept when i got home that day.

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 had only liquids until 9-12 and now i am on blended or baby foods and i dont like baby foods but it is a small price to pay for the weight loss and it will only last for 4 more weeks. no sugar but i never was a big sugar person or pop. so i dont feel that i am makeing too many sacrifices.

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

slow and not up to par yet but hope to start tomorrow and build up the level that i was used to and to exceed what i did have.

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

liquid centrum and feosol

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 heart burn was the worst but after a day of it i asked my dr for something and was given help. sleeping is still somewhat of a problem i did get a wedge and that sure helped. i want to sleep in the day and awake all night.

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

drinking carnation instant breakfast i do not like the taste but have been doing it although i dont like it..

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

i will be going to the gastric bypass meeting on 9-27 for the first time . they had their first meeting on 8-13 one day after my surgery and i could not go but am anxious to meet with others and see how they are doing

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

my scar is longer but hell a scar is a scar

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

this has not happened yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no