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

I actually found out about the surgery from this website. I was all for it and ready to go.

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

I actually did not have any problems getting approved, to my surprise.

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

It was a little overwhelming. I wish I had done a lot more research than what I had done. Bring a list of questions with you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I had gone on the last diet I went on and had actually gained 10 lbs.

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?

I really didn't have any fears, I was confident in the Lord and in my 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?

I actually chose the route of not letting anyone know except my husband and my mother. They totally supported my decision.

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

I am a stay at home mom.

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

It was painful. I was actually there for 5 days because I kept swelling up and the medicine they gave me I was allergic to.

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

Just what I listed above.

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 was kind of frusterated that I couldn't quench my thirst, and I started to ask myself if I had made the right decision. I actually cried.

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

It is definately tough. To those people who think this surgery is the easy way out, they have no idea what they are talking about.

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

15 minutes

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 three months post op I still can't eat breads, or any carbs for that matter. (Fruits, and Sugars) I also find it hard to eat meats.

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

Almost 0

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

Flinstones vitamins and protein shakes. I take nioxin vitamins for my hair and I also use the shampoos and conditioners.

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?

At three months I have only experienced a LITLLE bit of nausia. And that is it!

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

The time spent in the hospital.

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

We have a support group that meets the first tuesday of every month. I never miss it. It is so informative.

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

My scar is about 4 inches long and it is also a straight line. It is actually smaller than I thought it was going to be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Only three months out and have lost 72 lbs. I am not a big scale watcher!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Definately!