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

I HAVE KNOWN ABOUT SURGERY SINCE I WAS ABOUT 10. MY MOM'S BEST FRIEND HAD IT DOWN IN THE LATE 70'S. THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT UNTIL I WAS OVERWEIGHT.

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

NO PROBLEMS AT ALL.

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

my first vistit to my surgeon was a great a lesson in thought. he was right. what will you do with your emotions when you can't eat any more?

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i knew i was ready long before i hit 400 pounds. but was unable to get approved. my life might have been so much different if i would have had the surgery when i was 260 and begging for help.

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

i went in on november 30th and came home december 3rd. for me and for them the most important thing ended up being my c-pap machine. i wasn't breathing very well. making the nurses nervous.

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

no complications. just a few staples that wanted to escape and not absorb.

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 got better every day. no real anxiety.

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

the first few days were hard. i was tired. weak and in need of major family assistance. had a hard time with my suppliments and pain meds.

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

across town. like 12 miles or so.

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 can't eat oranges. but i can have skinless apples. didn't tolerate the suppliment i purchased after surgery. but my kids loved em. i did find an excellent suppiment called Designer Whey blast. about 40 grams of protien less than 1 gram of sugar. not fullfilling on any vitemins or minerals though. i can eat popcorn, pretzels, rice, but not to good with the meat family. depends on what is is and how much it will let me chew it. can not drink any milk at all! i used to love milk. :(

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

every day i got stronger and more active. started slow walking around the house. i need to still increase my levels of activity. been chained to a desk for 10 hours a day for 4 days a week. dark when i leave home dark when i get home.

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

i take a chewable childrens vit. no sugar a chewable calcuim and a monthly B-12 shot

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?

had a major time with throwing up in the begining. which gets better all the time. my hair is falling out but so far no bald spots. dumping twice. when i consumed orange.

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

waiting to have it!!

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

i have an awesome support system set up through kaiser! it is so important. you need others!

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

it's my war wound. it's about 11 inches long. and kinda ugghh. but that's ok

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i have had one so far. lasted about 1 week.. then the weight started to drop again quickly. need to maintain my protien!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, it's nice.. and sad at the same time. i need the ego boost after all this time.. but i feel like there lieing just to make me feel ok.