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

On the internet. I said I would never have it.

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

My insurance would not approve the surgery. I ended up being a self-pay. With everything included, pre-op, etc. it was $23,500.

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

It was very informative. He calls in 10-15 people for a video and question and answer session then meets one on one.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I discovered what a difference it could make. I am 53 and felt like this was the time to do this surgery to try and reverse some of my medical malidies before it was too late.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon said that the banding method would not produce engough weight loss for me.

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 was assured my all of my doctors that Dr. Jawad was a leader in this surgery. I was more afraid of the discomfort after. You are very sore, need to sleep in a recliner for about a week and most patients are nasuea for 4-6 months. Nasuea was something not covered in the pre-op discussions.

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 was totally against the surgery. He has never had a weight problem and cannot understand why you just can't stop eating. Some of my friends were supportive and others objected. All are very supportive now that they see how much difference in my quality of life has been achieved.

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

I'm retired.

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

My stay was overnight. After you had the "leak" test the next morning, and it was clear you were shown exercises and released. The most important thing to bring is a fan!

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

I had an ulcer in the new pouch that burst 17 days after surgery. I also developed two other ulcers and had extreme nasuea for 6 months. I was eating only 2 saltine crackers a day. It was several trips to the emergency room for dehydration. It was basically HELL; BUT now it was all worth 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?

Because of my ulcer problems, I had to have my G-tube in for 3 months and that was bad.

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

Sore. I only took pain meds for 3 days. Did develop diarreha.

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

In my home 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.

I was basically on liquids for 3 months with the G-tube. After I was on soft foods for 3 weeks then introduced solid foods. In the beginning I couldn't tolerate fried foods. Now 13 months post-op I can eat everything except sugar and tough beef.

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

None. I was so sick and had nasuea

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

Bariatric multi, iron, B-12 shots and Viactive calcium.

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 was sick for 6 months. nausea. No hair loss or dumping with diarrehea. I get a very warm, flushed feeling when I eat too much sugar or overeat. I didn't cope well with the nasuea. I became very depressed. I use to say as a joke, "I can't live like this long-term but I can't even take pills to commit suicide."

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

Having nasuea for six months.

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

I see a cognitive therapist at least monthly. This is the MOST important thing you can do. The surgery fixes your stomach not your head!

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

Very minimal. My surgery was laproscopic.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have continued to lose weight up until the 13th month.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. I feel different about me so I think I react differently.