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

I found out about the surgery in a magazine. I was not exactly sure of it.

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

I am amoung the lucky ones my insurance approved me and I have not had any problems. In my opionion if I was not approved I would write my insurance company and tell them how my life is and how it has be for ever how long you have been overweight and send pictures and explain to them how you want to enjoy your life from this point on.

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

I felt like my doctor really cared about what I was telling him. He knew I was serious and not just in there to waste his and my time. I would tell people on there first visit to be sure and write down all the questions you have and be sure he answers them to your understanding. The doctor can give you answers only if you ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am 45 yrs old and have 3 grandchildren and I was always so tired I did not even enjoy them. I could not tie my shoes and was tired from just walking from room to room. I was always rude to my husband who never told me I was fat. Who never told me to loose weight. I was just an unhappy person.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Did a lot of reading and searching on the subject. Went to meetings and when they started doing laproscoic I new that was for me. I did not know I could have it until my visit with the doctor.

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 really did not have fears. I was on so many medications that it was worth it to get off of them. I guess if I had to say I had one fear it was of failing one more time. We are all going to die one of these days and this should not scare you anymore than having a baby or any other surgery. If you do what the dr says before the surgery you should come out fine. There is always chances of complications but you can not go into the surgery thinking of what might happen you have to go into it knowing it is going to change your life for the better and you will have a longer and more properious life for 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?

I have twin sons one of the boys was all for it the other one wasn't. I have 3 sisters one was glad for me the other two was mad and would not discuss it with me. We have to do what is best for us and I made the decision to have it and I have no regrets. My husband is very supportive of me and that is all that matters to me except now I am 68 lbs lighter and a whole lot happier.

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

My supervisor had just had the surgery about 3 months before me so she was very understanding. As far as how long I was off work I had the surgery laproscopically so I was off a week and when I went back to work I worked for half days for a week and then went back to full days.

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

It is hard to answer this because if I had not had my husband with me to do everything the nurses may have been better. My husband did everything for me I was in there for 3 days. Someone who will be there with you the whole time. You only need a tooth brush and shampoo for your hair and deoderant. Loose gown house coat and shoes so you will be comfortable when you get up to walk and then on the ride home.

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

Yes but they were mild I had to have my throat scoped. The whole closed off too tight so they had to go in and open it. I had it done one afternoon and went back to work the next day. It was not all that serious and the doctor did tell me that it could happen. I still have no regrets.

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 so excited and I was wanting a new life change and it is a new change. I was ready for it. I made my decision for the surgery and now I was ready for whatever came my way. Most of the patients who are wating for the surgery feel like they need to go out and eat everything they see I went the opposite direction I cut back on what I wanted to eat. I was so excited about the surgery that I wanted to do whatever to get my body ready. I knew I could still eat I just wasn't prepared to understand that food was no longer my top priorty.

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

I was kinda of leary of everything. I was never hungry so I just made myself eat when the time was to eat. I never ate with anything but a baby spoon for the first two weeks so I would not put too much in my mouth. The weight seem to be coming off pretty fast in those first few weeks. I just remember saying to my husband that if I had went on one more of the fad diets that I was always trying I would not loose as fast as I had with this surgery. I got depressed the first few weeks but Dr Beall said that was to be expected. Just let the doctor know how you feel and be open and talk to him. That is what he is there for.

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

It was only 18 miles to where I had my surgery so it did not affect me in any way. My doctor was and is always a phone call away.

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 of all remember to eat exactly what they tell you to eat. I did except one time I was out I guess about 3 weeks and I decided to eat a tomatoe big mistake it made me sick and I ended up calling the doctor. I have been out for 13 weeks so at this point I can eat beef and chicken with no problem. I can eat some soups and beans. You just have to try but always remember the rule of thumb. No more than the size of your thumb and remember the bites have to be small.

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

With each day you will notice different things that you can do that you weren't able to do before and you will get so excited when you realize you can do them again.

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

I take multivitiams and calcium tablets everyday

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 am still newly out so this is a tough question to answer.

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

I try to attend the support group meeting once a month at the hospital. I have several friends that have had the surgery so that is a help. You need the group to help you understand what to expect and also as moral support. You have a new life and you need to enjoy it.

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

My scars are getting smaller everyday and they are no worse than all the stretch marks on my body from just being plan out fat.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Have had none at this time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes they are always wanting to know how much I have lost and most of them would not even talk to me before. Strange isn't it. LOL