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

I am a nurse, I was very sceptical at first, but knowledge is a great tool, if you use it to your advantage.

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

Have all pertinent data in a file and ready for the Dr. on your first visit. Have the psyche eval done, labs done , nutrional consult done, and letters of support from all around you, includinga all specialty Dr.s you may see.

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

Ask all the questions you like. Be totally informed on all the procedures , know which one suits your lifestyle the best, and then go for it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I became financially able and have the insurance to back me up. I am totally fed up with my way of life at this point and want to be a healthier person for my family, but most of all I am doing this for ME.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research is the key to this whole procedure.

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?

Dying, having a major complication, or complete failure on my part. Weight the options that you have in your life at this time. Can you go on the way you are?, are you happy with the way you look? are you healthy? do you feel good? are you satisfied that this is the life you are stuck with or are you going 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?

My husband is very anxious about this surgery , my daughter(a RN,BSN) and two of my close friends are RNs as well,and they all have been to the meetings, consults, evals, and Dr. appointments with me. My 21 yr. old son is supportive, but he also loves his mom the way she 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 self employed and my husband and I, along with my son and son-in-law, own and operate 3 business'.

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

Horrible for the 8 days, and then I was moved to 9 East Tower and the care there was great.

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

ICU or 8 days , 2 surgeries, one to correct complications of having losy my spleen on the 1st surgery and the tail of my pancreas being cut off and having to have the 2nd 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?

Very anxious and excited to start a new healthier life.

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

Very weak, terrible pain, 3 JP drains and a feeding tube, weekly visits to the surgeons office.

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

2 1/2 hours from home. It did not leave much room for any problems that I had and my PCP and surgeon tried to work together.

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 6 months out I still cannot tolerate dense meat, bread, sodas ( not that they taste good any longer). I drink alot of my protien.

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

After 3 months of staying at home and recuperating, I finally started to get my strength back, some what.

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

Multi Vitamin, Calcium , Selenium, Super Vit. B Complex, Iron.

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

The complications, the 24 days stay in the hospital, tubes and drains every where, a colapsed lung, until 4 months after surgery and not have access to my original surgeon, due to his taking a medical leave.

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

Obesity. com, surgicalweightlosscenter.com very helpful.

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

8 inches long and 6 other drain and tube scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

About every 3 wks I plateau, and increase ptotein, water and excercise.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People in general are nicer and more helpful to a smaller BODY!!!!!