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

A colleage of mine had the surgery and she has been the best motivator to me, now another friend is involved and we all are helping each other. I think the surgery is terrific and has come a long way since years ago. I have no fear of going through with the procedures! I have been on the internet looking for support for about 6 months and this site is WONDERFUL!

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

My authorization was just sent in about a week ago, but since my friends and I have the same insurance with the same company, I am hopeful.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The results that I have seen are great and quick. People are keeping the weight off.

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 just have faith in myself and God!

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 is very supportive and even if they weren't I would procede with the surgery!

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

My supervisor is very supportive and even thining of having the surgery herself. I plan on taking off about 2 weeks,,no rush to get back, just want to be healthy.

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

I stayed 5 days in the hospital. It was pleasant but painful. Remember to bring pants with an elastic waistline for going home.

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

I am 3 weeks post op ,recovery has been uneventful. No complications that I am aware of at this time.

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 some anxiety, but I was determined to go through with the procedures. I visited the WLS site and talked with others going through the same experiences. Became email buddies with a few and it has been wonderful to receive emails just letting me know that others are praying and have me in their thougths.

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

I seemed to have alot of pain, but it gets better each day. Try to walk as much as possible, maybe just 10 minutes. Get up each day, take a shower, don't let yourself get run down and have negative energy. I experienced alot of back pain, having to sleep on my back and compensating for the stomach muscles. Have someone message your back several times a day. Finding a variety of foods during this time is difficult it seemed, just be sure to eat slow, and drink lots of water.

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

I had to travel 4 hours to have my surgery, but I would do it again! The ride home was hard and the ride back for my 2 week appointment was difficult. Hopefully after 6 weeks I can schedule with my doctor here in town and he can send the information to my doctor.

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 tried really hard to eat foods high in protein so my diet consist of the following: Breakfast: 2egg whites with low fat cheese or oatmeal with skim milk. Lunch/Snack/Dinner: soups with powder protein added, low fat cottage cheese with canned friuts, veggies( chopped up) with low fat cheese, turkey and chicken (chopped very fine with juice to make it softer) Usually drink 2 Ensure drinks each day. Lots of water, canned beans such as pinto or white navy with no fat. I seem to be able to eat about 6-8 ounces for my meals, which I thought was too much, started to wonder if they did the gastric bypass. I avoid fats and sugars and am willing to try anything! I have maintained everything I have eaten to date but when I eat or drink to fast I get a bad pain in my back.

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

From the day I got home I kept moving. I walked daily and tried shopping for a few hours. I got tired easily but it gets better each day.

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

All I take is a childrens chewable vitamin ( liquid vitamins made me sick) and add powdered protein to foods that I can.

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 efect that I have experienced to date, which is 3 weeks post op, is sleep disturbance. I have my husband message my back several times each day and stretch as often as I can. Walking helps alot also.

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

The pain the first 3 days, I wanted to die instead of get up and walk!

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

My family is very supportive, along with my co-workers. WLS web site has been wonderful! I have found that with support you become more educated and motivated to do well.

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

My scar is about a foot long and normal. It is healing fine. It is what I had expected, due to the fact that I had educated myself on what to expect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am 9 weeks post op and I have not hit a plateau, but I would like for the weight loss to be more rapid. I feel mine is really slow.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. THey are just inquisative about the surgery and dwhat I can eat.