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

Be PERSISTENT. I have a friend now who was approved the first time I was shocked. I always picturd this skinny person looking at my file thinking why doesn't she just excercise. It wasn't until I put together and appeal letter that basically laid my soul bare and was humiliating frank about how my life was and the danger it was in that I was approved. Let me tell you that my husband called everyday and frankly I think they were tired of hearing from us :)

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

It was interesting. I honestly didn't care what he had to say. I knew this was what I wanted what, I needed and my personality says "burn the ships". I could have gotten much more information and Been much smarter about the whole thing if I had taken the time to write out some questions that I needed the answers to.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Again lack of information. The doctor told me what kind I never asked questions.

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 felt like I was going to die without the surgery and if I had a chance to live with the surgery it was worth the risks. I would tell others to talk to thier loved ones. Express your love and caring BEFORE the surgery and make them understand if this is something you have to do it isn't because you don't care enough to stick around, it's because you want to stay around longer.

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

My stay in the hospital was very pleasant. I don't like people hovering and I don't want to be bothered unless 1. you have to do something or 2. I need something. They were very couteous that way.

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 felt like if I ever drank another chocolate shake again I would go out of my mind but as far as anxiety Fools tread where Angels fear to go I guess.

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

The first few weeks were difficult only because you only think you are totally inactive BEFORE the surgery. I found it painful to bend impossible to lift and I slept sitting up for 3 weeks. The pain was bearable I was off all pain meds in the first week it was only when I tried to do something that I had trouble.

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

THe doctor and hospital were both an hour and 15 minutes away. My aftercare was affected solely by the loss of insurance distance was never an issue.

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.

Let me start off by saying a piece of pizza in the third week after your surgery is probably going to be the most painful thing you have ever tried to do.. so DON'T :) I am 6 mos. post op and meat is almost impossible still. Chicken and Pork seem to be worse than beef but all of it tends to make me vomit still. It gets caught. I will probably never again be able to eat bread or pasta. Although I can manage a biscuit if I eat it slowly. Anything cruchy like taco shells or Rye bread toasted twice if I eat carefully and slowly will go down.

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

It was increasingly more than I had done in a long long time. I actually go all day without my knees hurting me now. I can walk across a room and not be out of breath. I get on the floor with my kids and I teach Children's Church now. I coudln't before.

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?

the vomitting is the worst however since I am now pregnant I can't tell what it is from.

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

The wait.

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

I don't have one and I think it's very important. I get so frustrated sometimes and I have lots of questions that I would love answered. My Doctors office provides a monthly meeting but it is in the evening and so far away that it's impossible for me to get there.

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

I never thought about the scar to be honest but as many stretch marks as I have I am not planning to run around in a bikini any time soon :)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice that now it's everyone's business what I eat. They are very concerned about me and so they keep tabs on my vitamins. I had a lady bring me liquid calcium so we could make sure I was getting enough :)