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

My daughter's friend had it and I watched her journey.

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

Over all it wasn't bad! I have heard horror stories much worse than my own.

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

Don't be afraid to ask questions!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Just wanted to be healthy

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

At the time this was the only surgery being offered.

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 had none. I believed that God was with me through it all from the moment I decided until the time I lay on the table and wished the staff a good day.

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 Dad & Mom hoped I would back out. My siblings and husband were supportive.

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

Very supportive! I just let them know of my decision. I have a desk job so I was only out 1 week.

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

My stay was good. I had a very different room mate. She was in for totally different reason and was not very excited about having me! I can just encourage all to walk walk walk!

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

NO! I came through with flying colors and other than getting sick from the morphine I was fine. Once I asked them to take the drip off of me and I promised to ask for pain meds if I hurt (and didn't need) I felt SO much better!

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 was excited to get on with the journey & it felt like it couldn't get here fast enough! It didn't even discourage me when I arrived on my original date the 10th of Feb to be told I had to reschedule because the hospital was full. I ran to the Dr's office and rescheduled for the following Monday.

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

Don't rush it! Follow directions and walk walk walk

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

I am in the next town from the hospital it is about a 15-20 minute drive.

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.

Right after it was only liquids. For the first year I had a little problem with meat especially if it was left over from the day before. Now that I am 2 years out it is scaring me because there is NOTHING I cannot eat!

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

Better than it is now. I was walking around the block right after I got home.

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

Multi, Calcium, B12, B Complex & COQ10

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 only through up if I ate fast or something I shouldn't I just learned my body & what it would tolerate.

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

Having to explain to people I did not take the easy way out and this was as difficult if not more so than going on a "diet"

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

I go to a WLS group one time per month and I have a friend who had it so we talk

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

barely there

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit several plateaus and thought "this is it" I am not going any further and then all of a sudden I would start losing again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people DO have prejudices against the obese! When I tell them I was a heavy person (& show pics) they can hardly believe it!