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

Friends - My impression was hmmmm....I'm not so sure about that!

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

Mine was OK - Got approval first time. My advice - Research YOUR health policy well for all the rules. Follow them - Then Appeal, Appeal, Appeal if needed!!! Amazing how often that really works!

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

I generally ask a lot of questions!! Want to understand it all. I'd done lots of research and gotten many answers I didn't have to waist time with him on, so I'd narrowed my questions to those things I really wanted to learn about me and him and my path and his philosophy/thinking...Not so much generic, because I could get all that from research.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

All the people I researched with who had been there, done that AND my many prayers - I truly believe God was with me in the decision and the results!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research, Discussions with people in local Weight Loss Surgery Group, I attended before ever deciding - an of course Prayer! No one surgery is right for everyone - Research for YOU is the best advice for making the decision.

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, but my family was nuts - with concern! In a situation like mine, I would simply say don't discount your family and friends concerns. They love you - respect their worries and work to ease their concerns that you will be OK. While I never asked my family to be a part of this - they just naturally are a part and they stayed in hospital with me and they are affected - so be patient!!

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?

Most were very supportive before, my family was somewhat supportive, but really concerned. I didn't keep it a secret at all - just my way of doing things, I'd rather just tell 'em and then they can have their say or speak their concern, I can take that into account and move on with what I think is best. During the hospital stay I think was a little work for my family - I so hate not to be self supportive - it drives me crazy. But my sisters, husband, parents, children, friends....all were around to support and it actually was very good for results. I would say if ever you need to drop the rest of the world and focus on you - you - you it is the 3 weeks after surgery. After surgery everyone so far has been supportive.

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

Bland - not much reaction. I was out 3 weeks.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Yes, because I met the most wonderful support person there in addition to getting the data I needed. And to this day I believe that was Devine intervention that Barbara just happened to be at the meeting I was at and introduced me to so many resources.

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

I was in the hospital 5 days. Came on Monday, left on Saturday. Durham Regional Hospital was great. Most of the nurses were very nice. The one thing I had on my list and forgot to take was my fan! BIG Mistake!! I am very hot natured and the minute I woke up I was nauseous - My sister went on an emergency Fan Run, while my husband fanned me with papers. After the fan arrived, all was fine!

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

Nausea, which went away after the first day. "Post Op Hallucinations or at least that is what they called it. I imagined things that werent really happening. VERY out of Character. For example: My Grand-Dog came to visit me or at least I thought she did. And I spoke about random stuff that meant nothing. This happened about days 2 through 4 by Saturday it was all gone. They even sent in a Psychiatrist, who said it was reasonably common and would go away in a few days. Sure enough, it did.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Thrilled! I didn't have much anxiety at all. Still trying to convince my family it was the right thing for me and that I would be OK. My Dad and Sisters just worry about me :) But I was nothing but excited!!

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

ROUGH! I didn't like the protein drinks and I had a real hard time getting in enough liquid. All I wanted to do was sleep, but I knew I had to get in something to keep from landing back in the hospital dehydrated. I coped with this by recovering at my Mom and Dads. My kids are grown and my husband is fairly self sufficient. I was able to get away from the house, chores, dogs, work.just focus on ME! Also quite rare for me to do. But it was the best medicine I could have given myself. I was in the hospital for 1 week. Stayed at my parents the 2nd week. Went home the 3rd and 4th weeks, then back to work and was MUCH better ready to face the world again! They say some people get over it much quicker and maybe it is my age (I'm 49) but it was a sluggish recovery for me. Although, I am doing Great now. It has only been 1.5 months (12/27/10 2/18/11) and am doing great and enjoying my DS!!!

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

I am fortunate. I live within 30 minutes of Durham Regional Hospital and Duke. So, I did not have to travel.

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.

First 3 weeks just liquid. By the end of week 2 I was given the OK to have some soft eggs. Which was GREAT! I then began some other soft things like Pimento cheese. Everything I put in my mouth had protein, because I was trying to get off the protein drinks, which took a little over a month to do. Still I supplement with them some. After that, I have gradually moved on to most regular foods. I simply can't eat a lot at one sitting and for me, I eat about 6 times per day. Can not seem to get bacon down yet. I love bacon, so I am looking forward to when my tummy wants to work hard enough to let me eat that again :)

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

3 - 4 weeks I would take a 1/2 mile walk occasionally. The rest of the time I did NOTHING for the first 3 weeks! Now I am doing a 20 minutes mile almost every day.

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

ADEK, Calcium, Iron, Vit C, B12, Multi-Vitamins, Biotin

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?

Nausea only 1 day. Vomiting - I can eat the wrong things (like bacon that is too coarse) and my tummy will tell me about it. On occasion I will vomit, but not often. Probably 5 times in the month and 1/2 since surgery.

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

Getting in enough liquid the first 3 233ks and the Protein drinks I never liked much :) Some people love them. I drank just enough to get by. I'd rather eat my protein any day!!

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

My family helped me during the 4 weeks after surgery while I was out. It was CRITICAL for my recovery and I so much appreciated it!

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

I had laparoscopic surgery and have 6 incision points. Id had surgery before where it was open surgery (2 C-sections) and the scars are much worse. This was absolutely what I expected and not bad at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

1 week I lost nothing (this was about week 5. I was disappointed and concerned - Just Week FIVE and I'm not loosing! But It started back up and I am still loosing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No.