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

I found out through a friend of mine who had the lap band done. I didn't feel she was overweight by much but wow, she looked so much better after her banding, I started checking into the gastric bypass at that time.

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

I think all insurance companies should come together in helping obese patients gain a healthier longer life, it will cost them less in the long run. Waiting for approval was like torture for me, but the best was when I got the letter of approval 14 days later. I think the office staff needs to tell patients it is 14 business day wait, not actual days.

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

Listen well, take notes and ask lots of questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was at a time in my life when I was at my heaviest and knew I needed help before I developed other life threatening conditions.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted a permanent change with the best results. Laproscopic gastric bypass was what I chose

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?

that I would leave my children mother- less and I was not going to be there to watch them grow up. I was told I was silly for feeling this way.

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 was very supportive. I have 4 sisters and they all knew how I felt being overweight my whole life and they supported me 100%! I wish I had the money to help my mom have the surgery, she has the diabetes and blood pressure problems from being overweight and I am fearful she will have a shorter life span because of it. I wish there was a benefit plan for uninsured people who would benefit from this surgery.

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

I have a home day care and the parents of the kids I watch have been a dream come true!! they have all been wonderful and supportive and I even had one family drive the over 200 miles to come see me after surgery. I felt very special and proud!

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

The hospital was fantastic!! The staff is the best to be found and the hospital was small and very caring. My only complaint was the mattresses were too thin, the bed was uncomfortable. Bring just your toothbrush and hairbrush, you will have a gown to wear and booties for your feet and blankets and pillows( all that you desire) shades would be helpful if you can 't sleep in bright light. You will be in the icu so it is always pretty well lit up.

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

no complications except a vein in my arm that looks pretty nasty from an iv that blew. But I am told it will go away in time. ( it has already been 5 weeks)

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 butterflies the day of surgery and a little the night before. I just kept imagining myself a little further down the road thinner and more energetic and that is what I used to get through the jitters.

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

the first week was kind of rough. I had to keep reminding myself to take it easy. After the intial soreness wore off, (day 4 I believe) I was ready to go back to my usual routine and had to keep telling myself to slow down and take it easy. Each day I felt better than the day before.

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

over 200 miles. I stayed in Houston for a few days after surgery just to make sure that if I had a complication, I wasn't far away. Boy did that help!

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.

I went full out. I followed the diet plan given to be to a T. I gave up some things I didn't think I could live without, like cokes and carmel. I can honestly say it is getting easier each day to not want one! Now I am on a regular, low fat, low sugar diet and I am actually finding new ways to cook meals that are right for me and healthy for my family too!

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

slow for the first week, but I am a hard one to pull down. I love to walk and I am not one to stay in bed and play sick. Now I can go and walk a mile or 2 a day and look forward to one day being able to jog!

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

I take b-12, calcium, actigall, and a multi vitamin. by the way, I HATE taking pills!! I don't like taking them when I am sick either!!

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 losing my hair now, and I have been told it is due to lack of vitamin absorbition. I will work on getting this worked out. I have only had one instance of dumping syndrome, and it lasted for 2 days, NO MORE ORANGE JUICE FOR ME!!!

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

the idea that I have to take pills for the rest of my life!!

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

I have a group of friends who have had the surgery done and I get together with them and talk about things.

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

I only have 4 tiny scars and one that may be about 3 inches or so. The big one looks to be indented the others look great!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none so far

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet, except they tell me I look younger