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

My aunt had the surgery. At that time I did not think it was for me but a few years later when I found out our insurance covered the surgery it was my last chance.

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

I was elated. I felt like my life was about to start. My Advice is to not give up if you get a denial appeal it. Hang in there and have a strong support group around you.

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

I asked so many questions. They were probably happy when I finally left there that day. We laughed alot. I like to joke about everything. I was cracking stupid jokes all the way into the operating room.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had no choice the Doctors told me my life would end in my 50's if I kept going like I was, I thought I am only 36 and my life is almost over. I have to much to do.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did not like the idea of the lap band. It was a personal choice. I think it has to be that way for everyone. I wanted something that I could not go back on.

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 really did not have fears untill the week of surgery. I think because I new it was going to happen at that point. I talked to my family and friends. One friend told me well if you dont wake up you wont know so dont worry. It kind of made sense.

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 Family and Friends have been wonderfull. When we go out to eat and I get that look on my face that I am full but am talking too much to notice they take my plate from me.(something I learned from my aunt) My mother calls me once a week to see how I am doing since we live so far apart and everytime she sees me she has to show me off to her friends it is kind of cute.

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

My Supervisor was very leary she did not want me to have the surgery because of all the complications she had heard about. But once I had the surgery she would keep telling me to get out there and exercise. What a women.

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 two days. I had a reaction to the neasuea medication. The nurses were great. One of my friends mother is a nurse on the surgical floor. She ended up being my nurse.

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

Yes I had a gallbladder problem almost one year to the day from my surgery date. I called my surgeon and they had me on the operating table 24hrs after my call. I no longer have a gallbladder and while they were in there they found a hernia which they repaired.

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 talked to my friends and family. Went to the support group for surgery patients.

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

I was back to work part time after two weeks. I was fortunate I did not have to take any narcotic pain releavers. The Dr put me on Torodol for five days. My mother came to town to help me out for my first week. Sleep as much as you can you dont realize how much surgery take out of your body.

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

2 miles. I live 2 miles from the hospital.

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.

Eggs when I got to the puree stage I could not stomach eggs. I still cant stand the smell. Breads that are not toasted are hard for me to eat. I am almost 2 years out now and can eat pretty much anything except sugar. Sugar make me dump.

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

I started swiming as soon as the Dr's let me. I would swim 1/4 of a mile to 1/2 a mile a day.

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

b-12, multi vitemin, calium, 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?

I would have to say the Hair loss was pretty bad for me. I had to go with short hair as it made my hair seem fuller I also had to color it darker. I still dump and had nausea ocassionaly. I try to stay away from the foods that cause the dumping (mostly sugar).

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

I really cant say that there has been a worst part yet. I have kidney stones that may or may not be a bi product of surgery, if they are I would have to say that is the worst

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

We have a great Support Group, we meet twice a month. I believe that the people that are sucessful are the people that go to the support group. We talk about anything. One week we may be crying and the next meeting everyone is laughing. Our neutrionist comes and helps us to discuss our eating habits. Sometimes we have special speakers. This month we are having a speaker and they are going to talk on addictions ( shopping, Drinking, Eating, Exercise)

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

I have 5 very small scars. The bigest is 1/2 an inch I am very happy with the way that turned out.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateau at 1 1/2 years I freaked and would get on the scale daily just to make sure I was not gaining any weight. I recently lost the last 25 lbs. I am 4 lbs below goal. I talked to others in our support group and the first thing they told me was to stop getting on the scale daily.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes before people really never waited on me when I would walk into stores. My friends have not really treated me any differently.