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

I've heard about it but didn't think insurance ever approved it unless you were 300 or more pounds overweight. It's hard to admit you can't control it and have to take these steps but if it works then great.

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

I was lucky, I didn't have any trouble getting insurance, at least my husbands insurance to pay. Mine had an exclusion.

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

My first meeting was with another doctor which took my gallbladder out several years ago. I now have a hernia in that area that needs to be taken care of and I asked him if I would be a candidate for this type of surgery and he said I just might be. He left the room and came back in with an appointment to meet with Dr. Gibbs.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I want the surgery because there seems to be no other way. I don't think I can live many more years feeling like I do.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I left it up to what my doctor thought was best. I wanted long term results with the best success rate.

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?

none, as I felt it was my last hope. It was in God's hands.

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 were very supportive and still are

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

They are very supportive

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

I was in the hospital from Wed. to Sunday. The hardest part was getting up and walking but I had two surgerys. I had hernia repair as well.

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

no

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 very sore and weak.

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

You will be weak from surgery and it would really help to have someone for a few days help to prepare your meals.

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

15 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 have tolerated everything that I have eaten. The biggest problem I have is not eating slow enough or really chewing up my food good. When I don't do what is right, I have to make my self throw up to get relief.

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

Very little.

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

one a day

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?

none

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

pain

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

none, there aren't any around here but I would come to this site with questions.

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

Very long and still red. I'ts about 15 inches long, but keep in mind I had a big hernia to repair too so I don't know how big it would have been had I just had the bypass.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

About 6 weeks it lasted a week or so and then started losing again. Now I am at six months and it is going slower but it is still going and for that I am grateful.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really, at least as work.