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

I had a sister that had it done and I saw the improvement it had on her life and I saw the downhill struggle my other sisters had with their poor health and knew I had to do something drastic to get off that downward spiral.

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

Best advise? Document, document, document!! Luckily, I had done a weight loss diet with a doctor and had documentation with him and also my general physician had documented about my type 2 diabetes and that my blood pressure and had high cholesterol. It took a long time for the insurance to approve, but once they did..it went fast. Just the scheduling of the surgery took time as the doctor was popular!

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

I was late to it as I had to travel over 30 miles, so the staff was less than hopeful. I ended up seeing his p.a. and was encouraged by what he said. Be prepared to wait!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Talking with my sister.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with what was recommended by the doctor.

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 guess I was on the nieve side of things. Just went with the flow. It wasn't a piece of cake...the pain after wards and hard to move around.

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?

Most were supportive. My principal at the school was very supportive and the teacher I worked with was all for it. I was fortunate in that they were helpful and supportive.

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

I was out for 4 weeks and went back to work for 4 weeks and then we had summer break in which I was able to do more.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I didn't go to one until after my surgery. I did things on the backwards side. I wasn't informed about them until after.

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

I was there for three days. My room-mate was not very encouraging. She had her daughter bring in food, and then she almost had to go back into surgery as she wasn't doing anything to help herself and started having complications. I did what they told me and it went much better.

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

No complications. Just drink lots of water!!!

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

Had a hard time finding something that I wouldn't dump on. Ended up being lactose intolerant, so made it hard to have yogurt, cottage cheese and the like. Wasn't too anxious about anything that I can remember! Which I guess is a good thing! Lots of protein shakes made with whey!

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

About thirty miles. No problems, just didn't like going to downtown Phoenix area. (Especially after dark!)

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.

The the previous question where I became lactose intolerant was really hard in trying to find the beginning things to eat. It's been 8 years since my surgery and so it's hard to remember what I ate...not much I know! Loved going out to eat and only eating a few bites and then my husband had to finish what I had! He got to where he would only order a small order too!

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

It was slow and loved going for walks with my grandson.

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

I take a multi-vitamin.

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?

alot of dumping at first until I found out about the milk problem. I always had a problem with diahrea (?) due to a a birthing problem that I had. It increased with having the by-pass so had to be on the alert to where the restrooms were...

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

Afterwards, the loose skin and I didn't exercise like I should of as soon as I should of. The doctor was soooooo booked up that it was hard to get in to see him and you had to get used to waiting. There also was the constant gas problem...

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

Didn't have one. Just my sister to talk to.

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

Mine was laposcopic (?) and I had just a few little scars that were hardly noticeable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Lots of plateaus! Just have to know that you will have them and they too will pass..(LOL)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

The few time I have traveled on a jet, the person next to me will talk to me where as before they just ignored me.