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

I had some family members that had the preformed and it was successful for them. I just thought this HAS to work for me.

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

I was very fortunate with my insurance, I had no problems or delays.

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

My first visit was great. My surgeon stayed with me for about 45 min while I asked every possible question I could think of.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

That I was 30 years old and a diabetic with children and a husband that needed me to be healthy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided if I was gonna do this, I was gonna go all the way. ALL OR NOTHING 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?

The fear of surgery stayed with me until the day of. Even as I layed strapped to the table waiting for them to put me to sleep, the tears rolled down my face. I am now on the other side and am so glad I did this. The fear of dying from compliations of morbid obesity outweighed the fear of surgery by far.

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 family was very supportive of my decision to have this surgery, and continue to give me support daily.

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

My employer was very understanding. I explained to them that I had to do this. I was off work for about 6 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 great, the nurses and doctors couldn't have been any better to me than they were. I was released on the 4th day. BRING CHAPSTICK!!!! My lips were so cracked from dry mouth.

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

I did have a slight complication....I sprung a leak. I had to have a blood transfusion. I had to stay and extra day in the ICU.

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 so ecited but nervous at the same time. I just wanted it to be over with so I could stop worrying.

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

I didn't feel very good for about a week after surgery. It seemed like once I turned the corner past a week, everything seemed to get much better. Everyone is different. I did, the first week wonder if I had made a mistake. I know without a doubt I made the BEST decision of my life.

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

The hospital was only about 30 minutes from home so it wasn't bad at all.

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 first week or two I was on liquids. The I went to pureed foods like mashed potatoes and things of that nature. So far I have only found that I can not eat chilli. It sends me straight to the bathroom. Some people can not eat fried foods, I myself have not tried any fried foods that's what got me into the shape I was in the first place.

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

The first week I didn't have a whole lot of energy. It did get better as days went by.

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

I take one Flinstone's chewable a day.

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 not had any nausia, other than the first week. I have only vomited once and that was because I didn't chew my food thorougly and there was no other place for it to go. I do not dump. I am starting to lose a small amount of hair. I just noticed some on my pillow. Life after surgery is pretty good for me I can't really complain about anything. I wish I wasn't losing hair but it will grow back I guess.

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

The worst part for me was the nausea and energy level right after surgery, but within a week I was feeling much better.

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

I take part in a support group meeting once a month and then I am a member of several on line support groups.

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

My scar runs from about my breast bone to my belly button. It hasn't given me the first bit of trouble.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I did have a plateau that lasted about 3 weeks. When it broke I lost like 8lbs in 6 days.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I do get lots of compliments since my surgery. I still have a way to go before I reach my goal.