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

I know several people who have had surgery. At first (YEARS ago) it wasn't a good thing. The people that I know that had surgery were successful at first - then they gained their weight back. But in the last 5 years - science has come a long way in perfecting the surgery. The people I know that have recently had surgery have had a huge success and are able to maintain their weight loss.

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

I haven't faced this hurdle yet.

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

I'm waiting to have my first visit with the surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have surgery when a very dear friend had it and has been successful. She wasn't sick and she look wonderful.

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 really don't have a fear of dying from the surgery - when it's my time the good Lord is going to take my anyway and I'm ready. So the fear of dying is not an issue. And I try not to think about the complications that could arise from having surgery. I plan to do just what the doctor tells me to do and hopefully, all will go 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?

As first my family was very concerned - for me, my health, etc. Now they are very supportive and they plan to be with me when I have surgery.

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

At first my boss was shocked to say the least. But after we talked about it - he is very supportive. We are able to discuss issues as friends - and as a friend I believe he is concerned about my well being.

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

It was OK. Everyone was friendly - but I mostly slept through it - when I wasn't walking down the hall.

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

No

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Immediately after surgery (the first several weeks) I kept wondering if I had made the right decision. I was extremely anxious to move to the next level of eating.

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

My first few weeks were slow and easy. I got tired very easy. I took naps often. Most especially after I started back to work. I napped when I got home. Other than the tiredness - I didn't experience any problems.

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

I traveled about 90 miles. I experienced no problems with my aftercare. I have a wonderful primary care doctor in my home town.

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 gradually added foods one at a time back into my diet. At first I had a horrible time with ground beef - like in hamburgers - and chicken breast. Chicken breasts was too dry - it always came back up. And plain rice is too dry. It comes back up too. I am not supposed to eat (according to my surgeon) coconut, celery, cabbage or citrus fruit. Now I cane at chicken breast with like a cream of chicken soup on it. I use the reduced fat - healthy choice soup. Now I'm pretty much eating normal food - within reason. Trying to watch the carbohydrates and sugars.

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

At first activity was low - did some walking.

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

I like the gummy vites - they taste like gummy bears. And I've tried the flintstone chewables. I get a B12 shot. and I eat viactiv for calcium. I also try to eat iron rich foods - because my iron level is low - borderline anemia. I also take Biotin and a vitamin for hair, nail, and skin. I figure this will help with the hair loss and maybe the skin as I shrink.

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 had the nausia, vomiting, dumping, and hair loss. The vomiting is the worst - because I feel like I'm choking. Because you don't "drink" when you "eat" so when the food comes back up it chokes me... I have only dumped once or twice and that is bad - but tolerable. Don't want to do it again. I am 7 months out and on a rare occassion I will still vomit or dump. My hair fell out and now it is starting to come back and it is a little thicker than before sugery.

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

The sick or hurting feeling when I ate the wrong thing or too much.

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

I was seeing a dietician on a regular basis - but I feel like that is a waste of time. She tells me to keep doing what I'm doing.

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

I have several small scars. One is puckered and I didn't expect that.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I did have a period of time where I didnt' lose any weight for a couple of weeks. Now I'm steadily losing about 4 or 5 pounds a month. Sometimes I wish it were faster - but I'll take 4 or 5 pounds a months. At least it's a loss and not a gain.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NO.