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

My mother had it when I was 9, and I was amzed at how well it worked for her long term.

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

I was approved after the first letter. I recommend trying to find a doctor that has a staff who know what the insurance company will want you to do and to get you started on it before sending off for approval.

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

It was fine. I had the first visit 2 and a half weeks post op. I had lost 40 lbs. and all the stitches were gone.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I got sick and tired of being tired and dieting.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research proved that this was the most productive surgery long term with the most weight loss.

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 was most afraid of being down for two weeks. I don't stay still well.

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?

Everyone was and is very supportive.

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

I stay at home with my son and go to school. I don't work.

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

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to relax in the hospital. I was only there for 4 days, and I was most pleased with the fact that I let my hair grow so that I could put it up in a ponytail. I think either very short or long is the way to go. The last thing you want is to have to deal with your hair.

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

I had no complications at all.

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 and happy all at once. I ate everything I wanted. I knew that there would be things I couldn't eat after so I did it before surgery.

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

The first week is as close to hell as i ever want to get. I hurt and could eat little, but it got better. I am now 3 weeks post op and I am functioning pretty much back to normal.

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

I only traveled 20 minutes. It was nice because home was close.

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.

I am not able to eat peaches. Other than that I eat almost everything. I don't drink pop, but i eat lettuce, well tenderized meat, tacos, almost anything I want.

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

so far 3 wks post op and it is the same as before surgery, but with less ankle and foot pain.

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

childrens chewable vitamins and lots of tuna( high in protein)

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 hate having nasia the worst. I only get that way if i eat to much.

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

I had the most problems with the stomach muscle pain. I tfelt tight all the time and then just hurt went i moved it.

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

I have my mom. She has been through this and is a tremendous help.

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

It is simply a pink line right now. It is actually smaller than I thought.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I HAVE ONE PLATEAU SO FAR. i JUST DIDN'T LOSE ANY WEIGHT FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK. I WAS A LITTLE PANICED BUT BECAUSE OF THIS WEB SITE AND MY MOTHERS EXPERIENCES I KNEW IT WOULDN'T LAST LONG.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES YES YES!!!!! EVERYONE THAT KNOWS ME IS IN AWE AT HOW MUCH WEIGHT I'VE LOST( 3 AND 1/2 MO POST OP 90LBS DOWN) AND I HAVE NOTICED PEOPLE WANT TO BE AROUND ME NOW. I THINK THIS HAS VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH THE WEIGHT LOSS IT HAS MORE TO DO WITH ME. I FEEL BETTER AND AM HAPPIER. I AM STILL 280 LBS BUT I THINK I AM TRUELY MORE ATTRACTIVE BECAUSE I FEEL GOOD. AS CORNY AS I KNOW THAT SOUNDS.