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

I heard about it on tv and then went on the internet to find out more about it. At first I thought it was a drastic measure. but as I read more and realy understood about the surgery I realized that this surgery is going to save my life.

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

I did not have to get pre apppproval for the surgery. I just had to make sure all of the testing was done.

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

I thought my surgeon was and is a wonderful man. He talks to you like you are a person.. not just someone that he is going to cut open. I think that if you research all about the surgery on the internet or anywhere else you can get information and then make a list a questions that you want to ask you will have a great first meeting with your surgeon. If you have alist of questions you will remember to ask him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health and my children,myself and the fact that I found a great sergeon.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

my surgeon

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?

there is alway a fear that something will go wrong.. but to be honest.. i thought i would be more nervous... i was a little scared about how much pain i would be in after the surgery wasover.. I am sure that i would have been alot more nervous had i not had such a great surgeon.

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?

well i guess my family really didnt know too much about the operation.. the only things that they had hear is bad things about it.. after the got to read up on the subject.. they were behind me becuase they knew it was something i wanted and needed to do for myself and my children..

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

n/a

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

I was Easton Hospital and I thought my stay there was very good.. they had very nice rooms and the nurses were very nice to me at all times. I had my surgery on Monday afternoon and I went home On wednesday morning. I brought magazines and I thought it helped to give me something to read.

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

I didnt not have any complications from my surgery. As a matter of fact I did so well with my surgery that my surgeon didnt even put a drain in.. which I have to say I was very happy to hear when I woke up.

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 am a little over 3 weeks out from my surgery and I feel good.. I am still sore under my left breast. It is not like it really hurts just sore. I feel like I am not hungry. I have to try to remember to eat. I try to make sure I get enough of what I am supose to be getting but sometimes it is hard. I dont think people relize how much food plays a part in someones life. And I have to say I think most people snake becuase they are bored. Well that is what I think anyway.

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

i guess i would have to say that the first few days home from the hospital i was very very sore and not too happy that the bathroom was on the second floor.. my mom was staying with me to help with the kids since i sm a single mom.. but after a few days i was fine.. a little sore but nothing too bad.. and it just kept getting better and better each day.. i couldnt wait to get the staples out.. that is for sure!! i guess the only thing that i can tell people to expect it that you will be sore.. you just had major surgery

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

I traveled a little over an hour for my surgery.. i traveled that far so i could go to the best surgeon.. i dont think it affected my aftercare at all...

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 have been able to eat anything i feel like... except sugar.. i did that once and i paid for it.. i dont like dumping.. really just eat small bits, dont rush when you eat, and chew chew chew...

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

i tried to make sure i got in walking.. it is very important to walk..

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

i had flinstones vit untill about 5 months out now i tke cvs multivitimans..

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 had dumping once.. will try never to do that again.. but i have been lossing my hair.. which really stinks since i have very thin hair to start with.. i cant wait for that to end.. but i have to say that there is nothing that would make me not have this surgery again in a heartbeat

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

i guess the first 3-4 days the pain was painful but other then that there isnt anything i would say..

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

i think that the support groups are very important.. but because i live so far.. a little over 1 hour, and i am a single mom of 5 kids i can never seam to get to the meetings.. but i do come on this web sight alot and read what others are going through or have been through already and i think that it really helps

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

light little scars.. no big deal at all...

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none really as of right now.. i am almost 6 months out and i am still losing weight but it is coming off slowly.. i have about 35 more lbs to lose to get to my goal

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

i think guys treat you different..