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

I researched it for 10 years before I decided to do anything about my weight.

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

Just keep calling them.

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

Diffrent , Be prepared for a complete exam.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Tired of being overweight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did not want, to be cut alot on. That is why I decided on the banding.

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?

My doctor getting in to the surgery and the deciding not to do it for some reason ; any reason, stupid fear.

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?

They have been very supportive. My husband calls me a cheap date. Some of my friends that do not see me every day are like WOW, look at you Did you change your hair ??? God I love that remark. LOL

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

I work for a family owned business, Not my family but they said if this is something you want to do, then we support you. I was off work for 5 days. ( I went back to work before I was released from my doctor)I know that is a no no but I felt fine. And I sit at a desk all day. So I did not have any heavy lifting.

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

I was at Intregis Hospital Oklahoma City on NW expressway. I stayed for three days. Gowns.

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?

After surgery, I thought in my mind that I could eat the same. Wrong. It is a big change in size of how much you can eat and what you can eat. I still cannot eat milk products.

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

Expect to rest quite a bit. just take it very easy.

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

To the surgery and aftercare visits, it takes me 3 hours one way. I still do my aftercare visits.

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 can eat just about anything. Except Milk products , fresh fruit like apples and oranges. carrots are very difficult for me. so is corn.

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

Now I feel like cleaning my house... Before I had no energy to clean my house.

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

I take a small multi-vitamin 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?

vomiting... still doing it, Just knowing that I never have to be big again.

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

The tube in my nose after surgery.

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

None just close friends and Family

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

My scar is about 4 inches long. It is smaller than what I really expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stayed at the same weight for about 2 weeks, I hated the scales then I stopped getting on it. Then one day after I showered I said ok lets just see, and I had dropped 4 1/2 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

very much so.. I got whistled at the other day..Now that made me feel good.