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

I was scared but I know that this is the only way I will be able to lead a normal life and be able to enjoy my kids and grandchildren eventually.

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

I think you should take a front and side pic of yourself and really pour your heart out and I mean write a tear jerker. I did and I found out in three weeks not a minute sooner and like clock work i called the insurance every Mon. Wed. and Fri.

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

We had a meeting with 14 people and everyone had questions . I think the way you can get the most out of it is to write down questions you have before you go to the surgeon so you don't forget them. Send off for other packets from other surgeons and #1 question ask them if they keep up with the bariatric surgery from year to year.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I saw pictures and read testimonials from people on this site and also meeting the surgeon and him explaining things to me. I know that I have a new lease on life just around the corner.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

open rouyen

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 at first was scared but in the long run you can die from any surgery you go into and you could also walk across the street and get hit by a car. So which is safer? In the long run it is going to improve your health and your life. One day after the surgery I no longer snore anything like I did.

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 has always been 100% behind me,I showed my kids pictures and testimonials and now they are excited. My co-workers are mixed about it.

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

I am the supervisor but my superintendent told me to go for it and I had saved my sick leave for several years so I had 23 days saved up. He did tell me to get someone trained to take my place and paid for a substitute to take their place for 2 months . I LOVE MY JOB!

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

The most important thing to bring is your faith in the lord and the love of and for your family. Toothbrush and underwear and a nightgown and underwear and house shoes for the ride home. I was told I would have surgery monday, Tuesday rest and wednesday have the scope to make sure nothing was bleeding and on walk the halls thursday and on friday and noon I was out of there. Dr. Pierce told my family I did so good through surgery that he expected me to go home early. I went home on Thursday at noon.

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

No But don't think it is gonna be a easy as a c-section and maybe that is because I am 11 years older that I was then.

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 woke up thinking Oh my God you really did it this time Stacy, you always do crap like this before thinking and I wanted to cry but then I said just think of the energy and think of your life now. And it is humiliating after surgery not to be able to wipe your own bottom because of your belly

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

I had boughts of being depressed. I think it is because if you are active you are not used to laying around and waiting to heal. I noticed you get more tired easily.

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

90 miles but Dr. Pierce's staff is good about working with me on appointments and my husband is off every Wednesday and I work for the school system. so my supersintendant told me not to worry about the afternoons I will have to take off. he knows overtime and don't charge him for it.

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 thing I miss most is the large drinks of water. The best thing that helps me most is my blender with lemonade made weak and then ground with ice so you just get a hint of flavor but no change in caloric.

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

For the first two days I slept after I got home, I was told to use the pain pills as I needed them because I didn't have minor surgery.

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

I am taking JUICE PLUS and am starting to take one a day again since surgery. the best tasting thing is broccoli and applesauce. somethings don't even taste the same

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 have had the dumping process......yuck! I have overate and threw up that isn't good either

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

The checking for leakage

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

I just recieved news today of one starting in Comanche next Saturday.

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

I have a scar on my stomach from c-section and one from gallbladder so I have no anticipation of being any different but do intend to use some vitamin E oil on it in the tanning beds to lightnen it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

In about my 4th week I only lost 1 lb and it was so dissappointing. I started Walking a little further and riding my exercise bike a little longer

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I do, even my husband.