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

my primary care doctor spoke with me about it and I was very interested. I like many others was thinking great a quick fix and I'll be on my way. As time went on we all find out how hard and life changing it is.

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

I had private BCBS which uses BCBS as a guideline and they were great and I had approval in 10 days no questions.

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

The informational meeting that Unity Hospital puts on which you need to go to before you can set up a doctors appt was great. There is a room fulll of people so all of your questions get asked and answered.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was ready and new things were just going to get worse.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Its funny because I should have taken a mora active role in my surgery, but I was never asked and I thought they just thought roux n y was the best route 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 said in my profile that I would not have had the surgery if I had small children or if I was not financially stable in case I was out of work longer due to complications. My doc has a great track record.

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 kept it a secret as I was going through the process and told 2 friends right before surgery. I asked them not to say anything and they both couldn't do that for me. I was very straining on the friendship with both of them. You obviously end up telling people anyway so I would recommend that everyone be up front from the beginning.

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

It was hard I had spasms in my esophagus which were so painful. Otherwise I really don't remember much. Just keep wetting your mouth down and bring chapstick. It was bad how much my lips hurt.

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

I was smart enough to have surgery 4 days before Thanksgiving, which I host. So, I ate some stuffing. I went down okay but I thought this surgery is just a tool and us fat people love to eat. That was the first time that I really felt I had an addiction. I never cheated again on the liquid portion.

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

1 hour

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 great with everything. SUgar would not make me vomit I just needed to take a nap asap. Now 6 months out, fried foods are giving me the same feeling, which is fine because I shouln'd eat them anyways.

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

I am an exercise junkie. I am at the gym 4 days a week if not 5, got a trainer and really feel this has helped my skin.

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

Calcium Citrate, b12, multi-vitamin and Biotin people Biotin. Take it from the begining.

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?

My hair loss was tremendous. Like I said above use your Nioxin shampoo and take Biotin from day 1 after surgery don't wait until you notice it.

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

Hair loss

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

I haven't been yet but should really go now that the weight loss has really slowed.

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

It is pretty noticable but I never thought I would a bikini anyways.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

This is my 1st one. At 6 months. It is really not even a plateau because I did lose 6 lbs but it was by far my worst month.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely! Men are a crazy breed. I am not even saying that they are flirting, but thay are taking the time to stop and talk when they didn't before. Everyone really just seems a bit nicer.