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

I knew it was not a permant fix unless you changed your eating habits after the initial weight loss.

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

no problem

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

Dr. Anez explained the surgery and was upfront that weight loss and maintenance required compliance.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Difficulty moving

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Frankly I didn't do as much research as I should have. But I knew my surgeon was one of the best.

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?

Since I was required to have a complete physical work up I found out that my heart was in good shape and that my arteries weren't blocked. My gallbladder had no signs of disease and did not need to removed. All in all I felt that I could have surgery safely.

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 friends were very supportive of my decision. My husband has been fantastic about the food issues.

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

retired, so no problem

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 2 nights. The nursing staff was wonderful and very responsive. I was at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax Virginia

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

no complications from the surgery. I did have a problem with oxicodone -- I became nauseous and threw up all night and had to go to the emergency room. They gave some anti nausia medication and made sure I didn't have a blockage. I was pretty sure it was the medication but was alarmed because I couldn't stop vomitting -- it had gone on for about 8 hours before I went to the emergency room.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Extremely anxious -- over ate . I know I need to find better ways to deal with anxiety.

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

It has only been 2 1/2 weeks since surgery. Othe than the nausea problem, I have had no pain and no real problem. I am still adjusting to the eating regime but it is really quite simple. Thrilled to be off my diabetes medication. I know that is really from eating so little carbohydrates but it does give me hope that I will not need the medication after weight loss with proper diet.

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

6 miles

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.

Right now I am on pureed food. I try to vary what I eat. I have had fish, chicken, chili, humus, cottage cheese, pumpkin, sweet potato, peas, brocolli, asparagus, green beans, applesause, mandarin oranges, and peaches. So far I have had no problem with food.

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

Right now I am walking but hope to add on water aerobics. I have signed up for a class that starts March 31. Also after 8 weeks, I plan to start a weight training program at a local gym. I have done weight training before and enjoyed it.

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

Everything they have advised -- bariatric mulitvitamins 2x day. Calcium 2x day, B12. More will be added later

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?

Just the nausea problem caused by medication. I've had no problems since then.

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

The anxiety before the surgery.

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

There is a montly support group -- haven't gone yet as the first one met just a few days after my surgery.

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

pretty much what I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

too soon

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

too soon