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

I wanted the band, it was not offered around her at the time. I did a lot of reserch on the physicians in the area.

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

Easy!

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

It was harder getting to see the dietitian than the Dr. Why, I have no clue! After about 5 or 6 calls, and getting upset, things took off really fast!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Sick and tired of being the way I was!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Bipass was the only option through my insurance at the time.

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 have heard worse things since my surgery, however, being overweight was much riskier than having the surgery!!

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 and children were and are very supportive, other family members are mixed because they do not understand.

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

Not affected at all! I was off work for 2 months!

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

total of 4 days in the hospital, and the nursing staff were great. The were just beginning to see more WL surgeries being performed. Bring comfortable clothes.

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

NOT AT ALL!

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 just ready to do it! I read as much as I could read, and I prepared myself for a lifestyle change knowing that this was indeed NOT a QUICK fix! (There are people out there who believe it is.)

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

Somewhat difficult. It is not a lot of fun with a liquid diet, and pureed food. It is something that I am glad that we did some prep work before the surgery. I was sore the first week or so. I have a very strong pain threshold, and I did not think it was too terribly bad at all. Be sure that you have someone ther with you for several days to help you out.. It is so much easier with someone around.

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

I was fortuneate to be in the same town.

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.

STOCK UP ON Sugar free Popsicles !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be sure to chew well! dry meat was not well tolerated!(be sure it is moist) After 2 years, rice is not my friend! It is very important to try one new food at a time. It is best to know which one it is that is not setting well with you. Veggies were later starting for me. I am still not able to eat much of them.

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

Exactly 6 days after my surgery, We took a family trip, and I was amazed at how good I felt. Be sure not to over do it! I enjoyed walking (slower than ususal) but I did a lot of it.

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

Folbic, calcium, one a day multivitiamin, iron I was on pepcid, after a year I began to take 2 rolaids a day, and it is working fine and it is CHEAPER!

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?

If I eat too much too fast, I still do throw up once in a while. Hair loss was mild more during the first year. this lasted about three or four months.(sometimes still if I slack off on the protien, I see hair coming out more and more after a period of time.(I think as a protein reminder)

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

WOW! The uncertainty of what I could and could not tolerate eating, and learning how to SLOW down when I ate!

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

I am guilty, I do not attend.

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

Several little marks on the stomach. Not any worse than the stretch marks that I had.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When it slowed down, it really slowed down. I just needed to pick up the pace in the work outs and it began again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NO