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

My sleep dr actually told me about it but then my OBGYN dr was the one that set everything up to have it done. I was very very scared but took me a year to get my first appt with my surgeon so I had a loot of time to reasearch this surgery

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

I was scared that my insurance would not approve it..I am on Disablility right now and have state insurance and I got approved on the first try took 2 days after dr sent in paperwork for them to approve me..

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

My first visit I was scared and nervous I didnt know what to expect..the best thing to do is ask questions on top of questions that is what I did..write them down when u think of one so you dont forget...

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My family...my dr told me that I might not live to be 30 and I am 23 now I was scared i was going to die. I decided even with the all the risks I thought this would be better than dying young from my weight!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My dr only does Open surgeries and he decided which was best for me!!!

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?

With any surgery there is risk when my wisdom teeth were removed there was a risk with that, that I could die because of my weight..Life itself is a game of chance...one in like 200 or more people that have this surgery die. My dr has had 0 people die on his table and 2 complications and he does 3-4 surgeries a week and been doing it for 10 years. I had a better chance of getting in a car wreck than dying by surgery.

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 family and bf was very very supportive and they still are I thank god for them everyday!!! If it wasnt for my bf I dont know what I would have done after surgery!!

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

I dont work because of my weight so I cant answer this question

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

My hospital stay was quite pleasent...I was there 4 days the nurses were wonderful, truly a godsend!! Anything to read, or keep yourself busy is a good thing to bring and CHAPSTICK!!..Lips are soo dry after surgery and lotions are good too!

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

None 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 joined a group on yahoo and got plenty of support from them I was so nervous I might have backed out if I had not had the support from all of them and my loved ones as well

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

Well my bottom was very very sore I could not sleep lying down so I had to sleep sitting up in a recliner and after a few days of that my tailbone was soo sore. The pain was not bad at all...I do recommend however that someone be with you for the first 2 weeks at least or until you feel comfortable being alone.

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

Not far at all about 20 min drive from my home.

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.

Well first 2-3 weeks I ate lots of jello and pudding. Now I drink and eat pretty much whatever I want but not a lot at all..I cant finish a piece of pizza. One maybe maybe 2 chicken nuggets are all I can hold right now

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

Not good at all really, my energy level is still not up to par but I do walk and do what I can

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

Womens One A day vitiamins Calcium pills Zantac for heartburn and thats it right now

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?

had some vominting after surgery about 2 weeks out lasted about 4 days wasnt that bad..

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

the waiting..lol

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

My scar is big but its fading soo good in some places you cant even see it anymore and I am only 3 months postop

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really no..my friends are still the same :-)