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

I found out about it on the internet and I wanted to have it done.

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

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina gave approval without any trouble.

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

My surgeon was very informative and answered all of my and my husbands questions. He told me EXACTLY what to expect after surgery and told me to contact him anytime I had any questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to be healthier and live a full life with my six children and be around to enjoy my grandchildren.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I really didn't get to decide. I had a previous hernia repair surgery and the surgeon wasn't sure if he could do the RNY because of scar tissue. I wanted to have the RNY because I wanted something more permenant, but ther was a chance that I would have to settle with the Gastric Banding. It turned out that there wasn't too much scar tissue and the surgeon performed the RNY.

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 didn't want to leave my children without a mother. There are risks to having ANY kind of surgery, but I knew that the risks of my being obese outweighed any surgical risk.

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?

My friends and family were very supportive, but they were also concerned about the risks and complications surrounding surgery. My husband has been terrific and my family has been very supportive since surgery.

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?

The hospital stay was good, all the nurses were very helpful. I was there 3 days and the most important thing to bring is very comfortable clothes to go home in!

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

No

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 only 3 weeks out so I am still dealing with some emotional issues but other than being tired I feel great.

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

Everyone recovers at different rates, I was driving 1 week after surgery. The hardest thing was the gas, I had terrible gas for 2 days after coming home from the hospital. The most important thing to do is WALK, it helps get the gas moving.

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

3 miles

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.

It is really strange that things I used to like I don't anymore. You need to eat (drink) alot of liquids and pureed foods.

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

I walked as much as I could as it helped with the gas and made me feel good.

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

I am taking vitamin B12, a multi-vitamin and a calcium supplement.

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 hate vomiting, so that is the worst so far.

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

The gas afterwards!!! Otherwise there were no problems.

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

I am seeing a therapist and she is very helpful. I am also reading lots of email from the wonderful people on obesityhelp.

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

My scar is a thin straight line and is far shorter than I imagined.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am only 3 weeks out so I haven't hit a plateau yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No