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

First time I heard about the surgery was on TV. It seemed kinda scary. Then a member in my family (cousin by marriage) had the surgery done; about 5 years ago. She had great results. It got me started thinking about it and I started researching it online (on this site and others). It took me two years to make up my mind to finally go for it.

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

Had no problems getting insurance approval. You will need documented records from your doctor/doctors describing all attempts in losing weight but not keeping it off. Also any documentation that states that your health problems are due to your excess weight. Also if your primary doctor or other doctors write letters recommending the surgery and stating they feel it is "Medically Necessary"

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

It was very informative and he described in detail what he would do and what I would have to do. He described this surgery as a "tool" and that it would be up to me how well I would do.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of living like this! I felt this was my only answer. I had several friends who have had it done; and I could actually see them melting away in front of me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Researching online.

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 have sleep apnea and I was a little scared that I would have some breathing problems and would wake up being on a ventilator. But I was very lucky I had no complications and woke up with no ING tube or a tube down my throat.

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 and are very supportive now after I have had the surgery.

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

I stayed at the Mobile Infirmary in Mobile, AL. They were Great! The nurses were very supportive and were there any time you called them. I stayed 2 days. My own pillow, and my tooth brush.

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

The day after surgery I got a sinuse infection. I don't know if it was from the tube put down my nose and the difference in the room airconditioner but I could not breathe. And not being able to drink made it worse. Once they got me some nose spray and I could drink things got a lot better.

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 excited; just wanted to get it over with. I coped by thinking about what I wanted to do with my second chance in life. I did "Spring Cleaning" in my house because I didn't want to have to look at it when I was home after the surgery; knowing it needed doing but couldn't do it.

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

The first week home wasn't too bad. I really wasn't in much pain; had a little trouble sleeping on my sides. The second week it was good to be able to eat creamy soups and soupy puried foods. The only problem I had was my pottasium went way to low and I got very painfull leg cramps(had problems with low pottasium before surgery)so I have to drink 4 oz. of water with pottasium in it twice a day. I had to learn to drink real slow, and take my time on eating my meals.

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

About 56 miles; it took about an hour to get there.

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.

First week it was Clear broths, diet jello, diluted juices (no orange juice), sugar free popsickles, yogurt made with aspartame. Second week it was Creamed soups mixed with skim milk, soupy oatmeal, soupy grits, diet jello, diet puddings, sugar free popsickles. Third week same as above; added scrambled eggs, sunny side egg mashed, tuna salad, chicken salad, peanut butter, saltine crackers, cottage cheese, very cooked dried beans, smashed green beans, smashed cooked carrots.

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

First week was a little slow. Second week I was feeling pretty good. Walking, making my own bed, stacking dishwasher, doing laundry with someone else lifting the basket. Third week I was driving again started swimming in pool.

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

I take a children multi vitamin twice a day. I also have to take a pottasium supplement twice 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?

First week I had sleep disturbace because I sleep on my sides and it hurt when I did. I sleep in my recliner a lot. I did not get sick (vomiting) until my third week and I know it was because I ate too fast and tried to drink water and that made it worse.

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

Waiting for the day to arrive.HA Having the x-ray (drinking that chalky stuff).

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

I go to a WLS support group that meets once every month. I went before the surgery which helped me choose my surgeon and answered a lot my questions. I really enjoy going!

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

I had Laproscopic so I have only six little scars that are about this long ________ . Yes this is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau in my 6th month (I actually gained) and it scared me! I thought I had done something wrong but I just went back to the basics again and got more active, drank my H2O and I started losing again. Then I hit another plateau at 10th month (gained again) but figured out it was the antiflamatory medicine they put me on as well as I was going back to my old habits. Started watching things again and increasing my activity.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I am complimented more.