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

tv -- saw carlie and her weight loss I thought WOW how wonderful for her

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

I phoned them first to see if this surgery was covered and received reply that day...yes if medically necessary. They were really nice over the phone.

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

It was just fine. Dr. K. Sasse is a very nice person. I had met him in Elko at a seminar for WLS a month before. If you have any questions please write them down. You can forget things and walk away wishing you had found out some info. Go on the internet...its info is extensive.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My diabetes was giving me all kinds of fits....infections, colds, lack of energy etc etc. and I wondered if I felt like this now what would my life be like in 10 years from now.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

From research over internet and talking with Dr. Sasse

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?

none. I felt I was well informed and was willing to put my faith in my Dr. and God.

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?

Just a little afraid for me and sceptical because they didn't know enough about this procedure. After my explanations and surgery they were extremely supportive and still are

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

I was on layoff so no problems will be back to work very soon.

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

Two days, 3 nights. It was just fine. Wonderful, caring staff. Private room with bath, air conditioning etc. Just slippers, housecoat and something to read.

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

none

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

pretty nervous wishing time would go faster. Not afraid of surgery. I kept in constant contact with over 50 forum on obersityhelp.com

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

As I had laproscopic RNY I actually felt great most of the time. I had 5 little scars that healed nicely. I was a little tired and bloated but that went away fairly quickly. All in all very easy recovery.

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

4.5 hours. Afterwards I flew to Reno. much quicker...only 45 minutes, and I got time to shop.

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 ate fish especially tuna, and crabmeat. I ate cream of wheat with skim milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and puddings or sugarfree popsicles. I have a bit of trouble with hamburger...too dry so I put it in homemade chili and love it. I've added cheddar cheese, chicken and lots of vegetables. Now I eat salad too. No problems so far except for dumping on Centrum liquid vitamins. Now I use Vistavitamins and they go down great.

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

started and very sedentary with troubled back and knees. Now I'm revving up. Even went up and down ladder decorating house for Christmas. I don't have trouble breathing and have speeded up my walking ability.

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

Vistavitamins, spray vitamins sublingual B12 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?

none

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

staying in hospital for the second day....the rest was a breeze

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

none here in Elko, NV I'm on the obesityhelp.com site everyday seeking aswers to questions or just reading other's experiences. Also Dr. Sasse has a website where I enter all food, excercise etc. everyday. Shows carb, calorie and protein intake which is essential to good eating habits.

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

5 little 1 inch incisions. quickly fading away.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

didn't lose after initial 13 lb loss after surgery. That's because body was in starve mode. Soon as I could add more food the weight started dropping and hasn't stopped.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

reactions to seeing me 50lbs lighter are fun to watch. otherwise no.