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

I am a registered nurse in a hospital, so I have heard of it often.... A couple years ago a fellow nurse had the surgery. She is doing so well now and says she feels so good. I am so scared, but I know it will be for the best in the long run.

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

I had no trouble. I am so heavy and have high blood pressure. They approved me immediately.

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

The office was hectic, but everyone was very nice. I did not meet the surgeon till a month later. The first appointment I met the dietician, weigh-in nurse, and the surgeon's scheduler. The next appointment I met with the PA. They did a lot of pre-op testing, x-rays, ekg's ultrasounds, and lots of blood work. When I finally met the surgeon, he was very nice. He wanted to hear from me, my questions, my concerns. He even asked what surgery I wanted. I expected him to tell me. It was a nice change.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Breathing heavy when I walk too fast really upsets met. My daughter is going to be 9, and my son is only 1 and a half. I want to be around to watch them grow.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have so much to lose so I chose the bypass. I also did not want to have a foreign object in my body.

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 guess it is normal to have these fears. I wish I was more relaxed about it, but at least I know I am not going into it lightly (pardon the pun). Make sure it is the right choice for you, and get prepared.

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 of them are pretty excited for me. I have had a few friends tell me they are worried. My mom is nervous like me, but excited as well. She actually said she will have to buy a shot gun to keep all the guys away. I have been told I have a beautiful face my whole life.

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

She is happy for me. She wants me to heal well and come back to work soon.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

There was a lot of information, but I was happy to be there. Actually the surgeon I picked is the one who spoke at that seminar. He was light and funny. There is so much support through this group.

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

Hopefully I will be there no more than the 3 days

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

I pray I don't

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 been so emotional..... When you actually get the date it all becomes so real.

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

We'll see

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

The hospital and doctor's offices are about an hour away. I do have other hospitals closer for emergencies though.

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.

...

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

...

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

...

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?

...

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

...

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

...

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

...

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

...