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

read a article in a magazine, told my primary doctor I was going to have wls and he was against it. so I bypassed him and went straight to the doctor that did this kind of sugery and had it done. Never looking back. p.s. I haven't faced my primary doctor yet, But I know he will be happy for me when he see how much weight I have lost. I feel so good.saw my primary doctor and he was very happy about the weight loss as I am....getting ready for hernia repair and tt with Dr. heap.

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

My insurance covered it first time. but they would not cover a DS which I preferred so I settled for the distal rny..No regrets

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

It went fine. He would answer all questions i like my Doctor very much.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I HAD INSURANCE THAT WOULD COVER IT.....

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't my insurance did

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 only had positive thoughts..

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 were all for it.

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

I was off work for 4 weeks.

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

3 day stay was very nice. I took a robe, slippers, toothbrush and comfortable clothes for home and a pillow..

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

no problems at all

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 knew I had a date and that day would come and I just waited and jumped on the bed and said i am ready.

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

The first 2 weeks were the worst. I was afraid to be left alone not ever being opened up i was in alot of pain and a big baby. what can I say. but it got better each day and was I ever thankful.

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

we had to travel 50 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.

Was hungry after sugery but knew I could only have soft foods but made it works drank lots of water and gatorade. Learning to eat slow was hard that is where I would get into trouble. but time works we have to change after this sugery and sometimes we forget because as months pass we feel so darn good.

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

very slowly I mostly just walked for weeks and not heavy lifting.

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

I take 2 fred flinstones, one B 12,zinc,2 calcium,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 have only had a problem with hair loss I am 5 months post op and it has been going on for the last month. Hope it stops soon, My doctor gave me some Zinc to help.

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

The drain tube.. and just waiting for each day to pass and know its getting better.

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

once a month i attend a support group 50 miles away very helpfull and i also use the web site for morbid obesity alot it is very good

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

it is long and can't wait for it to fade.I have a zipper

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

at 5 months I feel like I have plateued. just a few more pounds and I am under 200.. waiting...........

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People smile more at me but really yes they do. and I feel like going up to some and shaking them.. because I am the same person inside as i was before.......people do treat fat people different I have lived it and seen it and felt it.