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

I knew it was the solution for me....immediately!!

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

My experience was wonderful. My insurance was approved in 10 days!

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

I like Dr. Aviv BenMeir right away. He was very serious about the dangers of WLS but was very encouraging toward me. I had a few questions, but I had basically done all the research online!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was facing 50 and was miserable. I was tired of not being able to do the things I wanted to do with my kids and grandkids. I knew that this was the last chance for me to lose weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted laproscopic and I picked a surgeon who only did laproscopic procedures at a reputable hospital!

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?

No fear of dying...I trusted my doctor and the hospital. Mostly, I was concerned about the liquid diet portion of the recovery! But I prepared myself with my protein supplement and jello and I made it through day-by-day.

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?

Most people were very supportive of my decision to have WLS. Anybody who wasn't supportive, I simply didn't discuss it with them. They got the message.

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

N/A

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

I was in the hospital 4 days. I had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic they gave me right before surgery and I had a problem with my blood oxygen level dropping. I had a fever, which was why they kept me the extra day. I took a pretty nightgown, robe and slippers. That boosted my spirits. I probably enjoyed the lotions that I took along and my long distance minutes card the most.

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

I have a fever after surgery. I stayed an extra day for a total of 4 days.

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 uncomfortable for the 1st 2 weeks after surgery. It was the middle of winter so I didn't go out of the house until my 3 week post-op check-up. At 3 weeks I felt great and was beginning to get my energy level back. I had a hard time with the chewable vitamins when I got home from the hospital. After about 5 days of no-vitamins, I sent my husband to the drugstore for another brand.

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

People want to bring you food...I guess you just let them. I enjoyed the company of my friends and they were always willing to run to the store for me if I needed something.

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

Ashland, Ohio to Cleveland, Ohio is approximately 65 miles. It took just about 70 minutes to get to the hospital unless you traveled during peak traffic times.

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.

popsicles were great. OJ and diet 7up was great. yogurt was good. saltine crackers filled the need to crunch and they dissolve really well in you mouth. mashed potatoes and cereals were too "heavy" for me.

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

I wasn't very active. I had a path through the house that I walked 20 or 30 times each morning and afternoon. I started walking outside of the house at about 6 weeks out.

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

daily vitamin, actigal, protein supplement

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've had a couple episodes of dumping but I learned fast I didn't like to dump. At 2 months out, I only eat about 3 bites at a time then I rest. I try not to eat beyond the "full feeling". I used a 3 minutes egg timer at about 4-6 weeks. That helped me to not eat so fast.

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

The bowel cleanse 2 days before surgery!!!!

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

Online support group is very important to me. And I try to go to as many meetings as I can

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

I had lap so I have 5 small 1" scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

2 months out--no plateaus yet have lost 60 lbs. and 35-1/2"

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Nope, just lots of compliments