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

internet, I was terrified it would not work for me or that I would be sick for the rest of my life

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

My insurance was a loophole nightmare but I jumped everyone and with the help of the surgeons office staff I was approved in three months This ws a record I think.

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

Great, ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was compleatly fed up with my body life and inabliities

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

RESEARCH!

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?

Being sick for th rest of my life. I Feel GERAT NOW

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?

They thought I was crazy. My husband said I was bing too extreem. My extreem was being almost 400lbs! I needed this for me not them! After surgury my family has been wonderful Of cours I have done very well and had almost NO complications

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

My Office was more supportive than my family at first. I told them the truth and I was aout 2 full weeks and parttime two weeks

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

The hospital was Emory and dispite some surgical complications( the machines in my surgury quit) my stay was fine I was only in for 5 days total and dont forget to bring your most comfortable clothing! you will be showing your body parts to everyone!

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

The stapler broke during my surgury and while under they had to wait on another one . Other than that NONE!

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 tired but happy wondering if this was really going to work and looking forward to returning to work. I had surgury Nov 1 and went back Nov 16. PLEASE remember I was done laproscopicaly!!

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

You will be tired don't fight it. DO AND FOLLOW WHAT THE DOCTOR TELL YOU re: food and rest you will be much better in the long run!

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

about 55 mile one way it did not affect my after care.

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.

chicken was hard grits etc. NOW I AVOID SUGAR!!! eeverything else I'm still playing with. I can eat very little bread and raw veggies I LOVE sugar free fudge sickles

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

moderate no lifting or heavey excercise. took it easy bur went back to work after one full week home. I only returned part time for two weeks and then came back full time

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

chewable!!!!

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?

Some if it involves sugar, you can over eat you feel like you are having a heart attack. But I don't fight the urge to vomit it makes you feel better quickly. You do however begin to feel like a bulimic person occasionally

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

the unknown you need to ask as many questions of as many people you can find everyone is diffrent. My experience is the best thing that has ever happend to me besides my husband. YOU may not turn out this way do your homework , check out local support groups and there are NEVER any stupid questions

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

Support group Very informative share ideas and things that happen and things tha could still happen.

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

little and cute!!!!!!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit 260lbs and have been there for about 2 weeks now I'm falling again! Keepo your chin up it will start to fall again! 7-13-00 i am noe at 240 and doing very well! my plateau has hit again but if I reach 200 and stop SO WHAT! I was 397lbs 200 will be delightful!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really they are very proud of me and for me