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

My mother and several of her friends had it done....I saw the difference it made in them, heard them say they wished they had done it 20 years earlier, and decided I wouldn't wait until I was 50, and all my body parts were shot, or going to hell, would do it NOW, at age 27, so my daughter wouldn't have to grow up the way I did, with my obese mother.

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

My insurance was very good....denied first, but approved shortly thereafter. My personal doctor worked hard to get it approved. Blue Cross was good, paid for everything, not even a co-pay

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

Very long and technical....ask a lot of questions, no matter how embarrassing they might seem....doctor has heard it all, anyway

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The progree of my mother's health after she had it, and not wanting my daughter to watch me, and take care of me, like I did with my obese mother

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

VBG was the only one this doctor was performing at that time

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 never scared of sying...the weight will kill you, eventually, anyway, so why be afraid? Complications are minimal, when I have problems, it's usally my own fault, and I know better

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?

Very supportive all the way through, since Mom had already been through the same experience.

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

Employer didn't react at all. I was off work for 2 1/2 months, but could've went back sooner, had I wanted to.

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

In hospital for 4 days.....first day, don't even remember. After that, quite painful, but not unbearable, medication available to help with any pain. Bring lots of things to keep you busy, but not anything that requires you to sit up straight, you won't be able to without crying.

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

Developed an esophageal ulcer and GERD-handled with medication. Bouts of vomitting, caused by my own behavior, which I correct

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 felt excited....finally, I'd be thin! No anxiety present, but I made sure to eat alot and often, anything I wanted, because I knew in a short time, I'd be unable to enjoy many of the things I loved

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

My mouth watered continuously, at commercials, at whatever food my family ate...as I ate my broth and juice! Tired and sore, but not too bad. Made the mistake of trying to eat a piece of pizza 5 days post-op...DON'T do it...you'll be sorry! Stick to the diet you are given

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

Only 15 miles

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.

At first, could not eat lettuce at all, or any meat, or milk, or pop. Now, I can eat almost anything, if I do it slow enough. Still ocassional problems with meat, especially steak and hot dogs. The first year after surgery, a quarter sandwhich was too much, now I can eat a whole one, but it may take about 2 hours to finish it. You get used to sharing plates with someone else at restaurants, avoiding buffets (why bother paying $10 when you'll eat less than a 5 year old) and eating cold food, cause you must take it very slowly

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

Slep alot while initially healing....energy returned after a few weeks. Normal now, but my weight really didn't ever affect my energy level too much, anyway, besides strenuous activities...

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

None

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?

Nausea and vomiting are ALWAYS there, if you're not careful. It's a trial and error thing for a year or so, you find out what works and doesn't work, then eat accordingly. Sometimes, you still eat things you know will cause problems, just because you love it and miss it, but will pay the price (throwing it up) at the end

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

Lengthy liquid diet while you watch others eating stuff that smells SO good!

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

None....

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

Thin, about 18 inches long, not as bad as I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Thought I'd never get below 220 pounds....stuck there for 3 months, within a 2-3 pound swing, but finally got under 200 for the first time in many years. Have gained some back, now, but I still look so much better than I did

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes...."I always knew you had a pretty face, you just kept it hidden under all that weight..." Tell THOSE people, to take a flying leap! Often ask, "how did you lose all your weight?" Then lots of surgery questions, not so bad now, after 5 years