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

knew of it many years ago but ins. turned me down... decided to try again got on computer and got lots of information

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

I had no problem getting approval on the first try

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

I felt very comfertable with him and confident in his surgical abbilities (had done many surgeries of this type)

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had to try this as I HATED myself

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I heard about the dr. first he was highly recomended so I went with the procedure he does... open not lap. and he explained why and I was very satisfied

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 beleive we all have fears about this the last 2 days before surgery I was a wreck anyone with no fears isn't normal...we just have to have lots of support and be comfertable wih the idea we are "sick" and are trying to help ourselves get better...I also feel it's a good time to get in touch with our real selves and realize the reasons we are over weight as surgery won't make those reasons go away ... then you can face thesurgery in a better perspective...I have had mental health problems for years I'm bi-polar and severe so I truly looked into myself and found some answers...some answers didn't come till after surgery but I have them now and I am so happy I did have 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?

I was VERY surprised only my dads wife had any major reaction even then she was ok...my family was very supportive of me... they all knew my health was at risk and I was unhappy with myself

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

Haven't worked in 12 years

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

went in tues. for surgery got out sat. I didn't care for some of my nurses/aids as I had diarea and had no help in cleaning up...that was hard ! to bring...have close family or friends to help you in personal care... wiping your bum the first few times is painful on your tummy and have them walk with you as much as possable

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

just diarea...put my backside in the shower

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 excited and just knew I would be alright...and no matter what I had made the right choice

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

the first week was awful...but...each day got a little better I think the first week we all think...what have I done to myself and wonder if we made a serious mistake...lol but as each day goes by I knew it was the right thing...most post-opers I talk to feel the same way I haven't heard a regret yet

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

then..about 1hour and 45 min.... now I go almost 3 hours to my dr. vists... he is such a good dr. it's worth it

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 now 5 1/2 months post-op ad just finally have been able to tolerate hamburgers !!! but only 1/2 with out the bread...I'm glad because I wanted one so bad for months...I gradually tried meats the 1st was pork and sourkrout(spelled wrong) and I had no problems with that so once a week made that...I got sick of instant breakfast real quick so went to soups that was basically trial and error...now I have found I can eat cake if I don't eat the frosting (this was a bad discovery on my birthday in march) Ihen if I eat the wrong foods I have never vomited but I get real hot and sweaty and my stomach feels sick and I wish I could vomit but in a short time get bad dumping...so I stay away from fried foods and candy and chips of any kind... sometimes a food I have been eating right along will cause an up-set too so I just wait a few weeks before I eat it again

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

the firs few weeks I did nothing ..aft 10 days I was more compfertable getting up and about...now 5 1/2 months later I do any activity I want

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

I hated the childrens vitamins and most protein drinks so I now take 2 vitamines a day, and 2 calcium pills a day and a few tums and eat meat or fish for protein when ever 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?

I still sometimes have a problem with something I regularly eat I'll have hot sells then stomach pain and then dumping...I have never vomited...I just deal with it and avoid that food for awhile

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

I beleive most people would say the 1st week...the pain and the thoughts...and the "head hunger"

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

see my dr. regularly and go to the monthly seminars... have moved though and am looking for a support group near Fredricksberg, Va. I have found a support group in Fred. and go every month

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

I don't think it's to bad about 7 in. long with a dot on each side about 3-4 inches away

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

it's 3 months now and I think I had 1 week I didn't loose but last week I lost 5lbs. so was happy It's 5 1/2 months now and in the past few weeks have been at a stand still basically... only 2 lbs lost...but I haven't been working very hard at it lately...I've been just enjoying who I am and not really exercising and eating cake..BAD BAD..lol... I am getting back on the right track Mon. I havepromised myself !!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES... people especialy men are friendlier to me...smile at me...it's nice YES YES lots of people talk to me now just like I'm a regular person ....why do people act so different...well I figure I am happier and appear that way too now