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

A friend wanted to have it done and I was against it.

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

For this u need to make packets of your medicle hystory and every time you mail something into the insurance company include a packet that way they can not claim they lost your history!

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

She was INCREDIBLE! She gave me a big hug and told me not to be scared it would all be ok. She was right despite my fears!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Dr. Kieren and my mother pushing me!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided if I was going to do it I was going to do it all the way. I did all my research on here and asked 2 million questions of others. The support I recieved from strangers was incredible.

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 convinced every thing bad I heard was going to happen. I followed Doc's orders and had no complications.

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 Mom was pushing for me to have it. But the ironic thing is that how hard she pushed for me was how little I saw her push for herself.

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

They were very supportive and let me come back to work gradually. The problem I encountered was with a co-worker. She became very jealous of me as I lost the weight and got back my self confidence. She actually became so jealous that she put in a bad position and what she did she claimed I did! So watch your back!

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

I had a bad reaction to morphine. I never used a pump before- YUCK! My stay I think was 3-4 days. I don't remember much other tham checking for leaks - which was the worse part if you ask me! I also recall my Dad sleeping in the chair next to me the whole time. My Dh was not there other than 2 hours b/c he did not agree w/ the surgery. Mostimportant things were a robe and comfy slippers.

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

Other than trying to find my self confidence NOPE! I was prepared for the worse and got the best!

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 just took things 1 day at a time and followed Doc's orders. Following the orders was the most important.

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

My DH treated me like "y aren't u cleaning everything and taking care of everyone and everything" I knew I needed to take care of myself and put my self first. I am still trying to put my needs ahead of his.

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

about 30 miles- give or take

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 Jell-o and broth the first 2 weeks out. Then I was given the OK to eat beans, cheese, and chicken. I just was able to eat beans and cheese again yesturday. b/c I did not want to see one more refried bean! I was so happy to start eating something other than Jell-o that the beans became gross b/c I ate soo many!

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

I would walk a couple of laps in the house about every hour just to get moving. I had to force myself to. After about 1 month I did not need to force myself up. I wanted to get up.

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

EVERYTHING!

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?

Loss of sleep. I still don't sleep like I did, but I am also not carrying the weight I was.

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

Coming to and having to get up and walk right away. My body needed to sleep another couple of hours before getting up and walking.

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

This website!

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

I expected a large one, but u can not tell what is scar and what is old stretchmarks now!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stayed the same for about a year-2 anthen I gained about 10-15 lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

OMG YES! Woman are more accepting and guys I will catch starring at me- I never thought of that before WLS!