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

I had checked into bariatric surgery about 8 years ago. At that time, I did not meet the qualifications, plus insurance wasn't paying for it. Now, 8 years later, things have changed. I am looking at this as the end of all "diets". I want this surgery to aid me in a lifestyle change permanently for the better. The whole procedure physiologically makes sense, and I am looking forward to having it done.

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

John Deere Healthcare was very quick to approve my surgery. My family physician got the ball rolling, I had to submit some info along with his, but I was approved in about 1 week. No hassels at all.

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

The appointment went well. Dr. Nielsen was knowledgable and had no problem answering my list of questions. My advice is to go to your surgeon informed, and take your list of questions. A lot of things I asked, I already knew the answers, but I wanted to hear it from the doctor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Knowing that I just cannot bear to go on yet another diet and lose some weight, then lose my motivation, then gain the weight back, plus some. It is becoming a vicious cycle that has to end.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance will only cover VBG.

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 don't have any fear of dying really. I am putting all of my confidence in God and my surgeon, to see me thru this safely. My real fear lies in my own ability to make this work after surgery and for many, many years to come.

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 best friends, sisters, mother-in-law and co-workers are all VERY supportive. My husband is not totally convinced that this is what I should be doing. His exact words were "I think it's the easy way out". (He really is a great husband, he just has no clue...)

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

My boss was behind me 100%. It was no problem for her to re-do the whole schedule to accomodate my being off work for 3 weeks. She said she would support me in any way she could.

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

My hospital stay was good. Nothing bad happened anyway. Except for the tornado warning in our area--we had to spend an hour and a half in the hallway sitting (except for the bed ridden). I was in 5 days. I took a bag with my brush/comb, deoderant, glasses/glass case, portable CD player, a few magazines. They provide the rest!

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

The only thing that happened that I wish did not, was the day I was supposed to be released (day 4) I had trouble with taking my pills and my first pureed meal together. Took them too close in time and got really sick. My doctor was there to witness my not feeling well and kept me another day. Otherwise, my incision looks great, and really I am not in a lot of pain. I choose to take adult liquid Tylenol for pain relief because the prescription stuff knocks me out.

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

My surgery date came up pretty fast---within 3 weeks, so there wasn't a lot of time to think about second thoughts or anxiety. My sisters however, colaberated against me and probably wished I hadn't of gone thru with it. They had been supportive, and then not. So I don't know what was in their minds.

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

Slow and steady. I took my time with most activities. I was not in alot of pain. Everyday gets better. Eating is weird because you are eating so little, and compared to what I used to eat...what a difference. I was out walking the day after I was released. I think this helped get my strenghth back quickly. Seven weeks post op I am now walking 1 1/2 to 2 miles every day.

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

Surgery was done in the same city I live in. I did not have to make any arrangements for 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.

The foods that went down well in the beginning are: All liquids, jello, yogurt, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, popsicles, soup, crackers, pudding, mashed potatos, anything soft and mushy. 7 weeks post op I am eating all of the above plus tuna salad, crab salad, cereal, toast, Lean Cuisine frozen entrees, ground hamburger, chicken VERY finely shredded or chopped and mixed in with something "wet". I cannot tolerate noodles, heavy bread, fried breading(on fish for example), plain chicken breast. I have not tried nuts, beef or steak, popcorn, corn, or fast foods.

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

The first few days home I took it really easy, but still went outside for small walks. The first week, I still sent my 2 year old with relatives and friends to stay for the day, then my husband would pick him up. I took 3 full weeks off work, and my first week back was for a few hours each day. The 4th week, I was back on my normal work schedule with no problems. I walk everyday 2 miles, and am going to start a weight lifting program within the next few weeks.

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

I take a daily multi-vitamin, but need to start a calcium supplement says my nutritionist.

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

My family, freinds, and co workers are my support. To my knowledge there is no support group in the town where I live. I do wish there were a meeting of some sort each month for people going thru what I am. Maybe I should be the one to start???

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

My scar is approximately 5 to 6 inches long. it is pinkish in color and a little puffy. I am prone to keloid scars, so I doubt mine will be flat and hardly noticeable. It doesn't bother me much, itches once in awhile, but otherwise seems to be healing well.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am a steady looser at between 2 and 3 pound per week. I am also an obsessive scale person. I weigh at least once, sometimes twice a day. And what is the point of that??? Insecurity I think. I STILL absolutely HATE the scale, and will be throwing mine away very soon.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No one has treated me any differently, but I am getting comments on how good I look and how people can really tell I am losing.