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

A friend of mine name Marie had gastric by pass done, I wanted to get lap band surgery but the Docter stated that my metabolism was too slow it would not work for me and gastric would be best. so did it. It was not easy but it worked and it was a hard life learning experience. I lost 200 pounds.

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

I was very happy that the weight loss was covered but very disapointed and lead to beleave that the skin removal would be covered afterward and it is not. It should be all included.

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

find out first how experienced your docter is and listen to his patients if possible. make sure the before and after your weightloss skin removal is covered and get it in writing. Ask all the important questions and go to all the before weightloss surgery classes. get all your home work done by finding out what you are expected to eat and can't. How and what is expected during surgery and recovery. see all the photos of how many patients your Docter has helped. Make sure his is Certified and has plenty of experience. A clean practice Office and staff.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My friends out come and the Docters professionalism.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did alot of research on what to expect before and after surgery and what worked best for my life and my own results.

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 biggest fear was not being there for my kids. I did this not just for myself but so I would have a longer healthier life for them.

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?

I surprised them. they were very supportive.

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

My misfortune of my fall and becoming disabled gave me the healing time I need to do what I needed.

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

yes, I learned alot. They told me all I need to know on what to eat and not eat. How to prepare myself before having the surgery. how to plan months in advance.

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

I was ther for 3 days and I was out on my own in my appartment home. my Insurance took its time to send me a help nurse a week later to late. my daughter helped me alot. very light and loose comfortable cloths and have a support buddy to help you at home.

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

no. I'm greatful for that. I followed all the rules as to not have complications.

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

my focuse was on a day to day basses. everyday I worked through the pain and walking and trying not to get blood clots from surgery by injections of blood thinners on my belly. my daughter help with that. for a week.

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

I use to live in an appartment home that had the bathroom downstairs so before surgery I moved my bed to the living room closest the bathroom and everything was within reach. I even tied a rope to the bottom of the bed post to pull on it to help me sit up in bed so I could walk. I had 12 staples striaght down my upper stomach so I had to make sure I had plenty of pillows to sit upright and make it easy for my to get out of bed. I had a hospital plastic chair inside the tub to sit while I bathed. and water shower hose for easy reach. all the pads and dressings and antibacterials creams and pain meds all within reach. plenty of drinking water bottles every where. keep a notebook to keep tract of your progress from day one.

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

Not far. a few miles and my friends help me with transportation.

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.

two table spoons of liquid broth only every two to three hrs for the first three weeks. you will lose up to your first 30 pounds in that month. after protein shakes up to 12 grams each shake you can only absorbed 2-4 ounces at a time when you drink slowly. then you can slowly add mashed smoothed soups with plenty of liquid. No bread! no pasta, no rice, your stomach cant tolerated starches and no sugar...splenda is one of my best friends. slowly you will eat food but with no skins on them because the skins can clog the opening of your stomach and it can rupture. beleave me your stomach will hurt so bad and let you know if you ate too much. never push your limit and listen to your stomach not your mind. old habits are hard to break but your stomach will train you not you over eat. chew your food slowly and a thousand times before swollowing beleave me its better safe then sorry.

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

slowly you will be able to move around better. your cloths wont fit so get draw string pants take your time and dont rush into anything. no heavy lifting and walk as much as you can it helps you will get stronger daily. just be patient with your progress, you will get their.

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

multivitamins, calcium is a must. protein shakes.

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 did lose alot of hair due to the rapid weightloss but it will come back.

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

not getting my skin removal coverage.

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

it slowly gets lighter but its still visable. hey its a reminder of where you've been and not returning.a battle scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

in these six years I have gained 30 pounds and slowly I have lost 20 of that again so you really have to watch not to cheat and you have to discipline yourself always.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, there are alot of discrimination against obese people. the same people that would not even look at me in a positive manner dont even realize its me and they try to approach me now and I smile and keep walking after I let them know who I was. the look on their face with their mouth open is priceless...I say "have a nice day", and I keep walking. I forgive them. you are better then that. keep being you and dont hold grudges you where beautiful on the inside and now you are reflecting that on the outside..stay honest and true to the new you.