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

I seen a TV news show a yr or 2 ago on 60 mins or 20/20 about it. My first impression "Thats what I need". It looked & sounded like something that I would really benefit from for the rest of my life.

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

Not good. Most seem to deem it as a cosmetic surgical procedure. My ins co act like they would rather pay for all the medical problems and allow a person to get worse & deathly sick before they will pay or even care. I felt like as soon as they heard what kind of surgery it is then they really did not care to even talk. Very sad.

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

Very good. This is the time to ask every thing you can possibly think of, as the surgeon is the one that will do the surgery. Even if you forget or wonder about other things write them down and contact your surgeon with your concerns. Hopefully this will help resolve most of your fears.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I feel bad, I am tired of feeling bad and I want to live a more active life. I feel I am too young to feel like I do and too young to die from the weight or weight related problems, and I deserve to have the opportunity to have a more fulfilling life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

This seems to be the most safest and most effective procedure. It will be with me for a life 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 had all kinds of fears! I was even afriad I would die if I didnt do something. I felt like I was half dead - as my life had dwindeled down to just sitting. I decided if I did die then it was meant to be BUT I knew I would go out fighting and try to do something. I rather do something about the situation, than let the situation take over.

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?

It was split - emotions ran high some times but I felt it was my life and this is what I had to do. They are all very supportive after 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 just said I needed to do what was "right" for me. I told her I felt like I was slowly dying and I hoped that the surgery would be the BEST thing for me. I was out for 8wks.

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

3 days. It was fine. I was in a lot of pain due to other medical problems and not having my anti-inflamation meds availiable to me. I had taken magazines, books etc but honestly I was too out of it to really read any of it. Sleep was my friend!

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

I was taken off my daypro since it was too high in asprin and the pouch can not handle it. My surgeon did not give me anything to replace it for a few wks after surgery. But we got that under control and now I use celebrex. It only caused me to be more stiff and not quiet as agile as most post ops. But it was not a problem from the surgery.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

scared and excited and happy and sad.... I just kept telling my self why I was having the surgery and tried to stay focused.

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

your bed at home is MUCH LOWER than the one at the hospital! So is your other furniture and toilet!!

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

almost an hours drive time. no it did not affect any after care.

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 very sensitive to fat grams now. I can not tolerate them very well so it keeps me in line! I am now lactose intolerant due to the surgery & very sensitive to milk products I have to have very small amnts of dairy products. I of course do NOT eat any fried foods anymore, they are off limits to me and that is fine. I did have problems with chicken - it would get stuck and I would make myself throw up - otherwise I felt like I was having a heart attack the pain and pressure was so bad. I use to eat a lot cottage cheese - now I eat a table spoon (if that) I love peanut butter but I have to have it in very small portions due to the amnts of fat. So far the milk and fat grams are the biggest issues and always will be, I guess. I can handle small amnts of added sugar - if I have too much I will dump. I dont eat the way I use to at all. Nor do I try to make myself but I think it is good to experiment.

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

low. lots of pain.

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

prenatel, iron and calcium .

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?

dumping - I made sure to not eat what ever it was again!!!

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

just the pain. But it does go away!

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

no after care. I have a support group here at work. There are many of us out there.

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

The scar is kind of thick feeling. No I thought it would be smoother and not as noticable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

6mos I had a plateau and now again at 9mos.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES