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

The first time I heard of Bariatric surgery was from my pulmonary Dr., I thought he was out of his mind and it sort of scared me!

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

So far I have had Dr. Schrock's patient co-ordinator contact my insuracnce company UHC, I know they pay 100% so I do not anticipate any problems with approval, most say they are very quick to approve. They approved after exactly 3 weeks, no questions asked.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was much like a job interveiw....lol He asked a bunch of questions pertaining to family history, my history and why I wanted to have the surgery. If you need to know anything write down a list of questions to take with you, I had done much research so we didn't need to go over alot of that kind of stuff.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My doctors suggested it, I have severe sleep apnea, adema, acid reflux, foot problems, personal hygene is a chore and a half, I want to be happy and healthy finally!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Mostly in my area, they do the RNY, I had decided that one sounded like it had the best success rate out of all of them and I am glad my surgeon does it OPEN because I like the idea of them being able to see all of your other organs etc.

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 fears of dying from the surgery, I know that my weight is going to kill me eventually if I do not get it off, I have a great support in my husband and he helps me to remind myself that everything will turn out fine!

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 of them are very supportive my grandmother and father seem to think I am crazy and do not need to do this, hopefully they will come to understand my decision afterwards.

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

I told my employer, she was of course a bit concerned but is a very kind & understanding woman, I plan to be gone 6 weeks or so.

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

I was in there 4 days, It went pretty well! I really needed a FAN I was roasting hot after surgery, lip balm, bath robe, slippers, I was sooooo glad I brought a few pairs of underwear!

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

No complications, only my neck IV had a leaky port which eventually they fixed & I woke up with the breathing tube still down my throat which made me dry heave terribly! My hair fell out starting week eleven, that was my only problem whatsoever!

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 am 1 1/2 weeks post-op I feel great It is almost like a dream!

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

I was sore & tired, you will need some help with household chores for about a week or so!

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

My surgeon is local only a few miles away, I am glad to have him close!

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.

So far everything I have tried I can eat, I have been very careful not to over eat & have not been sick at all, Pureed everything!

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

I was actually very active, I thought I would be alot more tired. I feel alot more energy coming on!

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

2 chewables adult vits, calcium, B complex., zinc, Iron

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?

My back still hurts from 1 1/2 weeks ago, I think it is from sleeping on it as I am not used to that!

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

So far the waiting !.....Still the waiting~!

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

I go to a local WLS meeting 2 times a month and my family is wonderful! It is extemely important! After a year later I run the support group meeting and it is now once per month!

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

It is less than I expected, about 12 inches long, breast bone down about 2-3 inches above my belly button!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Had several, usually not true plateaus though, I go for a week or so and loose nothing, then all of the sudden I drop a few lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Eating, they ask if I can eat that??? Yes, it is amazing how many people talk to me alot more now that I am thinner, alot of them ask how much I have lost or what I did. I tell every last one of them how I did it, I couldn't be prouder! Sometimes they try to tell you what to eat...lol