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

I always knew about the sugrery but never looked into the procedure because I was able to maintian my weight. I met people who had a horrible experience with the surgery. I did not know that this has evoled over time and there were more options to have this done. I found out about LAP RNY from a nurse at my PCP office who had it done. So I asked her some questions and she gave me the number to her surgeon and the spotlight on health web site to get some more information. I did not have an initial impression becasue I was open minded and wanted to know more information.

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

This was handeled by the Dr's office but two things one should do is read your health insurance manual, understand your benifits and make sure your employer does not have an exclusion clause in their contract with the insurance company. Also keep on top of the office staff in the Dr's office to make sure they are getting the proprer documentation from other offices, PCP ect..

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

My visit with my surgeon was very positive, but I came to the meeting with a list of questions to ask him. My meeting with my surgeon was excellent and he is very skilled

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I looked at the fact that I did not have any co momorbited but I am obese and was tired of the dieting and not being able to keep the weight off. I decided to take control of my life and face the fact that this would be in my best interest to live longer.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I use the length of time that people needed to recouperate. I perfered the LAP becasue I did not want a scar.

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?

Of cource I thought about dying but I did not let that fear over ride my decision to have the surgery. I though about complications but I knew that I would able to able to hopefully get over this problem

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?

I only told them what they needed to know for I know that my mother worries alot so they were told just enough to understand. I have total support from my family no matter what. My aunt was the biggest supporter

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

A few co workers are aware of my surgery and my boss was aware and she was very supportive. I plan to take off a week and a half from work

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

My hospitial staf was wonderful. The staff was great and attentive. I would only suggest that you bring an extra pillow for the bed.

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

I had no complications. So far so good im healing well.

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 good. The only problem that I have is that it you are tired and you tend to take little naps. I am about 6 weeks post op so when I work, but overall the full week. I sleep alot on the weekends. I don't have any major anxiety but I am more aware of what Im eating and stay away from fats and sugars.

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

My first week home was good. I was happy to be in my bed. I had to adjust to sleeping on my back. I had to place a pillow on my side for a couple of days. I also had to get used to a little soreness. You should also have some one at home help you out because you do get tired very quickly. You are also more aware of food ads and commercials if you are watching TV. You also become aware of the foods that you ate and what you can not eat now.

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

My travel was not far. I live very close to the doctor's office and the hospitial. I think it is a little less than a mile

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.

At this point 6 weks post op I have found out that I can not tolerate sugars. I had experienced dumping from some low fat ice cream that had a rasberry puree in it and I got sick. The feeling was sweating and wanting to vomit. This lasted for about 10 to 15 minutes. I also had the same experience with eating some sweet potatos that had extra syurp. I got the runs, cramps in the stomach and I needed to vomit which I was able not to do after I had the runs. I these foods are off limits to me. My taste buds have changed and I do not like the taste of cottage cheese anymore. I m kinds sad becasue I like this with fruit. From the beginning when I was able to have puree. I ate meatloaf mashed well and mashed potaotes. So I tolerance for food was easy. I do not eat a lot of beef or red meat because it take awhile to break down and pass in the system.

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

The first week after surgery my actiity level was slow and not a lot. I slepted a lot. As the weeks went by things got better and I was able to walk better and the level picked up for the weight is comming off.

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

I take 1500 mg of calcium, two iron pill and two adult vitiams every day

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 dumped twice from sugar. I stay way from sugars the best that i can. I try not to have over 17 grams of sugar in a food because all food have some kind of sugar. I have not lost any hair to date. I did not vomit at any time.

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

The wait for approval from the insurance company. The pre-op test were long two days before surgery and you can not eat anything. These were the two worst parts for me

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

I go to support group at least once a month. This is helpful for you can get advice on nutrution and support from other members that are post and pre op. This is sponsored by the hospital and Dr's office.

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

My scars are very small I was a LAP patient. They sometimes itch but this is OK. It was what I expected. I choose LAP because I did not want a large incision

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really diffrent. People are just nosey and want to know how you are loosing the weight and I do not discuss this becasue it is a personal choice. I choose who I discuss my WLS with.