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

On television. Later in school one of my third grade student's mother had the surgery and was very successful. She helped my with lots of information.

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

I can't really say. I never had to do anything. The BTC took care of it all. I was approved within 4 weeks.

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

I was confused. I didn't even know that the guy that I met with was to be my surgeon. He came in and I just thought he was a consultant explaining the procedure. If I had know, I may have asked more questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I feel that this is the last hope. I have tried everything and nothing works. I feel like my life is passing me by. Te bigger I get the less I want to do. After I talked to my student's mother I felt the confidence to go thru wth this. If it had not been for her,I might have never gotten serious about it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I just went with the one that worked for some other people that I know. Also, the BTC has a good reputation with my family doctor. I just put my trust in their decision.

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 have a fear of dying or even worse of not dying and having this not work and create complications that will make my life more miserable.

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?

Most were supportive. Those closest to me are quite upset and worried. Some people act like it is comparable to going to the dentist. I don't think they know how serious this is.

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

I am a teacher so I never had to tell them. I have the summer to recover.

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

Everyone was very professional. They took good care of me. Everything that I needed was provided.

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

I had no complications.

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 had no anxiety. I was in a lot of pain the first couple of weeks, but I bounced back quickly.

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

The first couple of weeks were rough, but each day got better. I was so happy to have a supportive husband. He took care of anything that I needed help with.

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

It was about 2 1/2 hours away. My aftercare was through my family doctor.

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.

Chicken and stringy meats were the most difficult. Now after 2 years, I can eat them in small quantities. I eat mostly protein, especially cheese and meat. Ham is the easiest for me.

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

I was moving pretty slowly at first. Each day was better. I would say it took about 8 weeks to feel like I was back to full energy. Two years later there is no stopping me. I have energy from morning until night.

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

I tale Flintstone's Multiple vitamins morning and night. That is the only thing that I take.

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?

At first I lost a lot of hair. Over time it all came back and is healthier than ever. If I eat too much sugar I fall asleep and feel lousy for several hours. I have only gotten sick and vomited one time. This was because I ate some homemade bread and drank water. I think it made the bread expand and this made me sick.

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

The pain in the beginning. This surgery is the best decision that I have ever made. I would do it again tomorrow to get the results I have encountered.

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

I have joined no support group and I do not feel that I have needed one. I have had no problems coping with this change in my life.

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

After two years it has faded quite a bit. It is much lighter than I had anticipated.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After 1 year I quit losing weight. I have stayed within 5 lbs. of 154 lbs. for over a year. I would like to lose more, but it is much more difficult now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get a lot of positive attention. Everyone treats me pretty much the same. I have good friends and they would not care what size that I am.