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

Several years ago I pursued it, afraid of complications I opted not to have it.

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

I had no problems with my insurance company. I contacted them before the process and followed the recommendations and had no problems getting approved

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

My first visit was great- informative and I liked him immediately. ask questions and write them down before hand and bring them with you. Remember it's your time and money and most of all your life.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I could not participate with my 2 granddaughters lst expereince in an amusement park and had to sit on a bench the entire day.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Surgeon's preference for me and lots of research

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 did have complications and very serious ones in spite of my 45 lbs weight before surgery, exercising and taking the recommended vitamins. It's a personal choice. No one anticipated what was going to happen to me so, it's a risk but a serious risk. As a nurse I knew what could possibly happen, but I never bargained for all of the possible complications ( minus the dying). I would do again in a heartbeat- the reults are great!

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 family was hesitant- Not much emotional support from my spouse- he was extremely angry about the complications /during the complications, my children and extended family and friends however were great

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

my employer backed me 100% I am still out of work after 7 months due to the complications and still receive weekly calls from my co-workers and employer

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

I had excellent care. I was hospitalized 5 days. I think the most important thing to bring is a good attitude

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

Yes, I had extended surgery for the bypass. I dealt with them with Diluadid.

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 excited and counted down the days. I was not anxious

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

My lst few weeks were extremely difficult. The fatigue was profound

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

75 miles

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 am just 7 months post-op and due to unusual complications I only started eating food 2 weeks ago. So, I can't really give a good appraisal for this question

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

Profound weakness and fatigue

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

2 multivitamins daily 3 calcium tablets 1 B 12

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?

Hair Loss which was significant After 7 months still dealing with a good bit of hair loss on the crown of my head. I cried and bought a wig

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

Recovery period

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

I attend a monthly support and nutrion mtg It's vital to my progress

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

They are fading and they are pretty much what I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

7 months out and I have been at the same weight for 2 months- I have lost a total of 130 lbs

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

They love the new me, but they also loved the old me- they are excited for my progress