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

my doctor told me in 1996 was to afraid to go through with it but am now ready to do this for me as my kids are older and I am ready.

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

I have OHIP. which is in Ontario , Canada so I dont need approval as such but the doctor must apply to have it covered for you.

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

It was good , I was told what was expected of me but the doctor was very very impersonal.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am ready and want to change my life as I head into middle age

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

by researchin the options available here close by me and lookign at a food journal that I kept to see which type of personality I am and then takign it from there to knwo which is the best one to help me for the long run.

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 fear that I will leave my children motherless while they are far too young but I also am afraid if I dont do this I'll die anyway , so I will chance the surgery and pray Im here to see them grow up for many many years

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 is very supportive and are willign to help me out. All my friends are behind me 100% so I am very fortunate..

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

I am an adult student soo I don't have an employer who I need to tell.

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

Wonderful nurses and care. I was in the hospital 4 days ( about 2 days too long for my liking although I was very pampered and I liked that<LOL>) I found my fan to be the best thing to take and magazine's because I got bored alot after walking.

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

No real difficult complications except I ended up having acid reflux which I didn't have before surgery. I also cannot still eat certain meats which makes it harder to get in enough protein but with time I am sure that will be corrected.

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 terribly excited , amazingly thrilled and relieved at the same time. I didn't have any anxiety at all. I was extremely prepared for my day to get here.

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

I had my mother in laws help with my kids and husband so I was able to rest and look after me, not everyone else. I believe this helped me to get well faster and get back to normal life much quicker.

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

I travelled an hour away from home but had circumstances gone a little differently it would have been 8 hours away.

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 wasn't able to tolerate potatoes, rice or carrots for some time, I am still unable at 1 year post op to eat most meats and potatoes still give me a hard time. Most foods tasted totally different after surgery which was bad in some cases and better in others. I was never a salt eater but now I crave salt often. I am able to eat about 1 1/2 cups of food at one sitting which usually takes me 30 minutes to eat approx. I still have a hard time not drinking with meals and right away after my meals. I still eat to fast which sometimes upsets my new stomach which makes me vomit but that's not as often now thank the lord<LOL> I still have acid reflux sometimes and cannot eat meat or heavy foods after 5pm.

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

I started walking the day of surgery and have walked almost every day since weather permitting. I now do 4 hours a week of water aerobics and 30-45 minutes a day of walkign at a brisk pace. and I still hate walking<LOL>

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

I take 2 Materna (prenatal)vitamins a day, no iron, no B12. My blood levels have been excellent so there has been no need. I do need to start taking calcium though but hate the stuff.

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?

Acid reflux was bad and I had to take meds for a few months. I still have this problem but much less frequently. I seemed to produce a egg white consistancy mucous post op and when I vomit this is what comes up never the food. I believe this is something the stomach produces and I just have too much of it. My doctors havent been worried about this so I don't worry either.

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

having to wait the year and prove to my doctors that I wanted this bad enough to make this journey successful.

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

Unfortunately my surgeon doesn't have any suppport available post op or pre op either. I have been going to a local group which was started through OSSG Canada friends but the groups are in the infancy stages and offer not much professional support but alot fo personal support which is wonderful.

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

My scar is identical to my gallbladder scar from many years ago straight up and down, now at a year out its not very noticable though so I am pleased

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I experienced a very long 4 month plateau at the 7th month period and have only just broken it 3 weeks ago. I was very upset and tried everythgni I could to break it and I havent a clue what did but I am praying it stays broken for quite some time to come.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No people treat me the same as they always did, but they have commented that I seem to walk with my head held higher and I walk with alot more confidence. this is a definate plus as folks seem to be pleased for me.