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

A teacher where I work had the surgery three years ago. I was afraid of it, I thought I was too scared to try it. I was afraid of being successful..

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

I had Kaiser insurance and my primary care physian didn't approve, so I had to make sure I took care of my needs.

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

I have the best surgeon that I could get. People need to make a list and ask question about everything. Ask, Ask questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Could hardly walk anywhere!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had the open procedure, because that is all that was offered by my insurance.

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 was scared because it was going to change my life and I wanted to make sure I lived thru it. I say to others that they need to talk about their fears. Once I started talking about it, I wasn't as scared.

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 hubby told Kaiser when they called that I wasn't interested in having the surgery. I thought about it and decided that it was my decision, and I called them back and proceed with the process. I have to say that once my family understood that I needed to do this for myself, they were there for me all the way.

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

I had the surgery during the summer when I was not working as a substitute teacher. I didn't work for about 4 weeks, I was throwing up a lot at that time.

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

I was in the hospital for three days. My toothbrush was a joy while I was there.

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

I threw up for 2 months, then it went away. I asked my doctor for something to help the nausea.

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

Just kept wanting family to clean house, so I played sick. Did fine, couldn't see the weight loss that others could see.

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

I slept in a recliner for three days, then, made it to the bed..

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

I have to go 50 miles one way. My aftercare has to be planned, but I managed it well.

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 threw up for 2 1/2 months. When it stopped, I was able to eat most things. I did have trouble with the heaviness of meat, got full fast. Things at 4 1/2 months is that most things are fine as long as I limit my intake. One of the things I have struggled with is when to stop eating.

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

Went shopping right away, just couldn't go very far. It got better as time went on.

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

I take chewable Flintstones daily. Try to get in my protein drink each day.

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 nausea lasted for 2 1/2 months. I had trouble sleeping, went to Dr. and got some help. Got better right away. I have only had dumping a few times. Now hair loss began right at three months, I started using a hair conditioner designed for hair loss. I am struggling with losing my hair, it was thin enough before. I use to have a heavy head of air.

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

I found the nausea and throwing up the hardest, because I didn't lose any weight during that time.

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

The support group that I go to have helped me understand that these problems are shared by many other people. I am not alone in this journey.

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

My scar is very thin and turned out to be ok..

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have experienced a plateau at 2 months and have to exercise hard to get the scales to move on down. It frightens me that I might fail at this too.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I haven't lost enough weight for people to treat me differently. The few who know have been very supportive.