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

I read about it in a magazine and thought this would be great if only it would be in a hospital n my area. Two years later I saw a one page article in a local paper about a surgeon in the next town. WOW!!!

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

When I applied for approval from my husbands ins. co. it was a long and frustrating wait. Finally after about 3 weeks of phone calls it finally was passed. My advice is to just be patient and make sure you provide your ins. co. with all the information they need.

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

My first visit was very informative and very exciting. When the doctor explained what was going to happen, and what the results would be after everything was done I felt so relieved knowing I finally was going to be skinny and healthy. Ask all the questions you can think of. Write them down before you go. The more you know up front the better you will feel about the whole experience.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My husband and I talked alot about the risks and the total outcome and realized it was the best answerto my BIG problem.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor told me which one he does the most of with the best results.

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?

My fears of dying were very strong for a few days prior to surgery. I was afraid I would never see my little girl or husband again. Then I realized that without the surgery I could have the same results from something even worse, so I just tried to reassure myself that everything would be ok and it was.

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 husband and my inlaws were my best support. They were so glad that I was finally going to lose weight and get healthy to live alot longer and watch my daughter grow up. My family was different. My mom was concerned but was glad for me, my one sister that I am very close with did not think I should go through with the surgery. My older sister thought it was great and my other sister didn't care either way. After the surgery, the sister I am close with finally cae around when the weight started coming off and I was feeling so much better.

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

My employer was very supportive even though she knew someone else who had it done and had some big difficulties with it. She did'nt tell me about it until after I recovered. I was out of work about 6 weeks.

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

The people at the Hospital were very nice. The food however was nasty. I was in for about 2 days. Remember to bring your toiletries and a pillow. Hospital pillows are not very cushioney. You will probably want something to read too.

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

Yes, my intestine area close to the somach got a kink in it and I had to go through another surgery to fix it.

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 relieved. I just took one day at a time till the day finally came.

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

You can't get around to easy. Your sore and weak from the lack of food. After about 2 weeks things start getting easier.

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

Only a few miles. The hospital was just in the next town.

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.

In the beginning you only get to eat soft mushy foods. I had a problem with yogurt and sugar free pudding. As I started to get into solid foods things changed. White meat chicken is sometimes hard ir it's too dry. Steak and seafood are my best choices. Sugar free foods have to be 2 grams or less for me to tollerate them. I still can't do pudding or yogurt. Pasta and breads are the worst for my stomach and anything sweet. I get awful pains in my stomach for quite awhile after eating these things. I was told by my doctor that eventually it will get to be more tollerable.

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

My activity level was very low for a long time. Because I wasn't getting any starches in my diet. You need them for energy. Now I am able to eat potatoes and rice, and my energy is through the roof.

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

I only take a multi vitamin everyday.

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?

When foods would get stuck in the passage to the stomach, and the hair loss. I try to get up and walk around when the food gets stuck. Sometimes it works and sometimes it comes back up. I am in my 6th month and it doesn't happen too often any more. The Hair loss is my main concern. My hair is starting to get thin on top. I have been using a shampoo that is suppose to thicken it but I can't see any real results yet.

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

Having to have the second surgery and adjusting to a different eating lifestyle.

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

The Bariatric Surgery Coordinator runs a support group meeting twice a month. I have been to a few meetings but my family is my best support.

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

I have 5 tiny incisions and one bigger incision.(about 1 inch long) The doctor told me how many and where they would be so I knew what to expect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

People who haven't seen me in awhile don't recognize me. Also the size clothing I am into. A size 12. I never was in a size 12 my whole life.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I don't get stared at anymore when I go out to eat. People are always complimenting me on how great I look.