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

thru a friend who had surgery 1 year ago and lost 200 pounds --- i knew then that i wanted to have the surgery done

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

didnt have any problems with insurance company - was approved right away

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

my dr was very understanding and helpful on any questions that i had -- staff was also wonderful

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

when i started having some problems when i walked a distance -- shortness of breath

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

seen results on a friend

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 really didnt have any fears on the surgery itself - i figured i was doing something to improve my health - my life - and only god can make that decision if its my turn or not.

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 husband was very nervous about the surgery - he has a fear with hospitals - by family all supported me - my mother got a little nervous when another friend of mine had surgery at the end of nov in 2001 and had some complications, but she still supported me.

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

my employer respected my decision and cheered me on - i was out of work for 3 weeks.

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

the worst part of my hospital stay was the bed - it stunk - was very uncomfortable - staff was excellent -- i was in the hospital for 4 days. there really isnt anything important to bring with you to the hospital.

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

none

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 had 2 dates for surgery -- the first date was suppose to be on nov 8 2001 in which my primary dr cancelled because she stated there was a problem with my ekg in which i had to go thru several other tests to make sure nothing was wrong with my heart. after all the tests were done,nothing was foung wrong with my heart then my surgeon set up another day - i wasnt really nervous about the surgery, just wanted to get it over with.

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

i have only been home from the hospital for a little over 2 weeks now - it was hard sleeping in a bed at first - i couldnt get comfortable - i kept getting up every 2 hours to go to the bathroom then get a drink. eating sometimes feels more like a chore sometimes then a pleasure - you really have to chew your good good and slow.

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

wasnt far 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.

so far a have been able to keep down everything i tried so far. i have had eggs (scrambled,hard,over easy), cottage cheese, fruits, crackers, soups, grapefruits, porkchops,beef stew,chicken,oatmeal,mac and cheese,toast,orange juice,protein drinks,mashed potatoes,cooked veggies,chili,yogert,sherbert,grilled cheese,turkey.

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

i slept on and over the first week home after surgey.. started going up and down the stairs. 2nd week home started doing small household chores - cooking,laundry -- 3rd week going back to work

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

multi chewable vitamin -- centrum

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 only side affect i really had was a little nausia in the hosp then a day or so when i got home -- in the hospital they gave me something for it - when i was at home it was bad so i just coped with it

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

the hospital bed

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

there is only one support group that i know of here - its somewhat helpful - met alot of friendly people - however i have a close friend who already had the surgery so i usually just ask her if i have any questions

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

my scar is a very thing red line about 5-6 inches - part of my scar is already starting to fade - i am very pleased with my incision -- i thought scar was going to be more longer and thicker.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet