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

I first found out about bariatric surgery in an ad that was in the coupon section of the Sunday newspaper.

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

I didn't have to deal with the insurance company. The center that I went to did it all for me.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was very helpful. He answered all my questions and put my mind at ease. At your first appointment make sure all your questions are answered.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Once my insurance approved my surgery I decided to go for it. I wanted to spend the last half of my life without excess weight!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Doctor's decision.

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?

My only fears were about having major surgery of any kind. I also had some doubt that I could follow the program.

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 and friends have been very supportive before, during and even more so after surgery. My son is 12 yrs old and he has been very helpful physically and emotionally for me.

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

My employer and supervisor were okay with my decision. I told them exactly what I was doing once I made the decision to go thru with the surgery. I was out of work for 4 1/2 weeks on my fulltime job and 6 weeks for my partime job.

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

My stay in the hospital was for 4 days. My stay was very comfortable at the hospital. The nurses, doctors and the staff were excellent. I would go there again! You really don't have to bring anything except slippers. They provided you with everything else.

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

I didn't have any complications from the surgery.

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 have progessively felt better and better since surgery. I've been a little scared at times that I wouldn't have the will power to stay away from sugar but I shocked myself because I am doing it. I guess I don't want to find out how sick I can get if I eat the wrong foods. To help me cope I try to attend the support group plus I keep in touch with a friend who has had the surgery(2 weeks after mine date). We help each other.

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

I did pretty good the first few weeks at home. I did have pain but the first few days before I went to bed was the only time I took a pain pill. I couldn't drive my son to school in the morning(12 miles)because I was weak and nausea in the morning. But as soon as I was able to get some protein in I started to feel better and mornings were not a problem.

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

My drive to my doctor's office takes about an hour. The hospital is about 20 minutes from his office.

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 have develop lactose interolance since my surgery. Now at 6 months if the foods I eat have a little lactose in it I seem to be okay. But I still haven't try to eat yogurt, cottage cheese and other dairy products. I will have to be brave one of these days and try them again. I have tried products with lactose and I do okay. Once in a great while ice cream will bother me but it just makes me really gassy!

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

My activity level at first was about a five minute walk and I worked it up to an 1/2 a day. Now I have joined an exercise class that I try to go to 2 or 3 times a week plus I keep walking. Just to let you know I work a fulltime job(40 hr) plus 2 partime jobs plus try to do house cleaning and take care of my 12 yr old son.

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

I take 2 chewable multivitamins, 4 tums w/calcium, and iron.

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?

My side effects haven't bothered me too much at least not enough to really complain about.

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

I guess to me the worse part of my bariatric surgery was going thru major surgery. This was my first major surgery so I was a little scared.

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

I attend a support group that is 20 minutes away that meets once a month. Plus I keep in touch with a friend that I have meet at the group since we live in the same town. Her and her husband had the surgery this year.

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

My scar is healing well and as time goes by it is looking better. I still itches once in a while.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My plateaus haven't been too bad. Usually about a week to 10 days and then my weight will start to drop again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes and sometimes that upsets me. I am the same person but now I fit in! I hate society and the pressures that it puts on people especially if you are over weight.