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

I can't remember the first time I had ever heard of bariatric surgery. Since I've always been overweight, I know I was very young. At first, at a young age, I remember wanting it done even then. This is not a decision I made on spur of the moment, this is something I have wanted my whole life.

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

I was very lucky that my insurance company was willing to pay without any problems :-) I do suggest though, if you really want it done and the insurance company turns you down....keep fighting for it.

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

My surgeon was WONDERFUL!!!!!! Took the time to really talk to me and explain things to me. I suggest that everyone go in knowing about the different surgeries, the possible side effects, and a list of questions that you have for the doctor. This will really help you get the most out of that first visit.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I started working a full time job that had the insurance available. I knew there would be no way I could self-pay for the entire surgery. When I found out that a surgeon my husband had seen does the surgeries, I KNEW it was the right time.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor and I discussed a couple of the surgeries. I really already knew which one I wanted from all the reading I had done. I listened to him talk about the two surgeries and asked him what he thought, well of course he couldn't come out and say, "You should have this one done." From the way he was talking though I knew he was going for the one I really wanted, so it worked out perfectly lol

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 suppose that I want it done so bad that I'm not much worried about the complications. As for the dying...I figure I can wait around and die looking like a house or (if something did happen during surgery)at least I died TRYING to do something about it.

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?

Well the first time I talked with my husband about it a couple of years ago, his initial reaction/answer was "NO!!", but we had no money or insurance then so I dropped it at that time. I went to school, got a GREAT job, GREAT insurance and figured it was time. I am 30 years old and tired of feeling like I'm 100.

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

My supervisor is WONDERFUL!!!!! I told her and she thought it was great. Pre-op so not sure how long off work yet....hopefully not long at all. I really LOVE my job and don't want to be gone too long :-)

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

I was in the hospital for 8 days. I took my pajamas (which I didn't start wearing until the fourth day), a personal cd player (that I didn't use lol). I say go for the pajamas, underclothes and personal care items (if you don't like the hospital shampoo and soap). I also took some other people's advice and took some baby wipes, which really did help.

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

I had a couple of complications. I had to have three units of blood and I ended up with pneumonia while in the hospital. These things happen and I blame noone :-) I say get up and get moving as soon as possible after the surgery.

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 very lucky in the fact that I was approved on Thursday March 28th, got my surgery date on March 29th, and surgery is set for April 10th. I have no idea how I would cope with having to wait a month or more to hear something. I am very very anxious and excited and I am more than ready to have it done. I am also a little nervous and suppose I will be until it's over with. Dealing with the anxiety is another issue lol. This is what I'm currently doing to cope with it. I also work full time and have children and life must go on for them, so that helps most of all.

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

Well as of now I've been home less than a week. I'm still sore. Don't expect to come home and be ready to cook and clean. I had someone tell me before surgery to be a slug for the first month. Well that's what I've done. I have young children and a husband so my house is a wreck but at this point I really don't care lol. It will get cleaned up, and the kids and my husband are helping out as much as they can :-)

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

I am very lucky in the fact that the hospital where I will be staying is about ONE MINUTE from my home. All of my aftercare will also be done at the same facility.

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.

While in the hospital I was on a clear liquid diet. I didn't drink much of what they sent, I stuck with water and the flat, diet sprite I was told I could have. As of right now I'm eating 2-3 ounces of yogurt for breakfast or lunch. Usually for lunch or supper, I eat 1-2 ounces of tuna (was told I could have boiled chicken but haven't tried it yet). Every so often I'll have 3 ounces of Carnation Instant Breakfast. I'm still new post-op, so there are alot of things I haven't tried yet lol. I'm still looking for new and better things out there lol

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

As of right now, I have very very little energy. I stopped by my job yesterday and was there for an hour. In that hour I felt like I'd been there the 12 hours that I normally work. I came home and took a three hour nap and was still tired lol. I know it's just going to take time for the energy level to increase. I'm just waiting on the day lol

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

All I'm taking right now is four Flinstone Chewable Vitamins with iron a day. I take two in the morning and two at night. I'll find out if there's more I'll be taking when I go to my follow up visit sometime this week :-)

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?

So far no really serious side effects, but will keep this one up to date to let everyone know :-)

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

I have been looking for one locally to see what is available. For now I will talk to people here :-)

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

I still have half of my staples in right now, but so far my incision is looking really good. Instead of having that "pinched together" look, it's nice and flat where the two sides meet. I am very pleased with how it looks so far :-)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None as of yet but I'm sure they're coming lol

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. I've only lost a little weight right now so I guess I'll have to come back and answer this when I've lost alot more lol