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

I felt when I heard about it years ago that it was going to extremes. Then over the last year felt that it was all that was left to me to try. I have been too embarrassed to tell anyone but my husband that I am going to do this. I think I am adjusting to the idea and will probably tell my children soon. I have now told my children and a sister-in-law and they completely support me.

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

I had no trouble getting insurance approval. It was only a 60 day approval though and if I missed that time frame I would have to apply again.

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

My first visit to the surgeon was a very informative one. I think I should have had a list of questions prepared ahead of time instead of trying to remember all my questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was starting to have health problems and still putting on more weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor suggested laprascopic since my BMI was 40.2.

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 fears of the operation. Most of my fears have been about being able to follow the diet and making a mistake by having the surgery.(Too extreme a step?)

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 have only told my husband, daughter, son, and a close sister-in-law. I feel that it is only a need to know basis.

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

I told my employer only that I was having stomach surgery and my gallbladder removed. Which is what I did. I was out of work for 5 weeks.

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

My hospital stay was OK. I was treated well. I had surgery on Monday and went home on Wednesday.

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

I had no complications.

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 was nervous about taking too drastic of a step, but I kept telling myself that since I qualified for the surgery with my weight and BMI, it wasn't too drastic.

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

During my first week home I've gradually gained back some energy. I'm taking short walks. I find that small tasks seem to take much longer to do and wear me out quicker.

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

I traveled 70 miles to the doctor and to the hospital. The only affect it has is that since I can't drive yet, my husband has to take of work to take me.

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.

Week 1 - Clear liquids only (boring) Week 2 - Full liquids (still boring) Week 3-5 - Pureed food (a little better) Only problem I have experience is pain if I eat too fast. 5 months - I can eat most everything. I do have trouble with meats and "heavy" foods. 15 months - I'm still having trouble eating meats. I don't tolerate soda pop at all.

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

Week 1 - Short walks about 5-10 minuets at a time Week 2-3 - Walking 1/2 mile a day Week 3-5 - Using exercise bike and treadmill 20 minutes a day. Energy level is getting better. 5 months - I can do so many things now that I had trouble doing before. I have loads of energy.

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

I have started childrens vitamins, tums, and B-12. Week 5 - I have now switched to a multiple vitamin, calcium citrate, B-12, and biotin. I now take a multivitamin, calcium, B-12, and biotin I now take the Bariatric Supplement System vitamins. They include all that my doctor required and a little more. I especially like these because the calcium is so much easier to take.

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?

No side effects so far. I have had some pain and vomiting now from eating too fast or from eating meats. 5 months - I still have some trouble with dumping. 13 months - Very little dumping but still some difficuly with eating meats 15 months - I had an episode of dumping yesterday. I had eaten a piece of chicken. This is the first time in quite a while that I have had a problem

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

The drain in my side and the taste of the Motrin IB Elixer. Also the dumping.

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

There is a support group that meets twice a month and I exchange e-mails with a lady I met at the educational meeting. The dietition and the Bariatric Co-ordinator visited me in the hospital. This was very helpful to cover last minute questions.

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

Since it was laprascopic the scars are minimal.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None so far at 5 weeks. I had a plateau from 5-7 weeks, but I still lost 6 1/2 inches. 5 months - I am at a plateau right now and have been at this weight for the last two weeks. I am going to try to push more water and watch what I eat. 11 months - At goal weight!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really, just a few noticing my weight loss. 11 months - My daughter says I look 10 years younger!