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

I first heard about bariatric surgey on the tv and started talking to my friends and co-workers and was startled to discover just how many of them had already had it.

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

I did not have a hard time getting an approval, I had a wonderful case worker that did all of the leg work for me and got my approval the first time out.

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

My first visit was a little intimidating because I was told what kind of person that my surgeon was but I realy liked the frank way he spoke to me. I think that people can get the most out of their first meetings if they write out ANY questions (no question is a stupid question, after all this is your body) they might think of and take it with you and write down the responses. That way when you get home you have the answers with you and can study them and get comfortable with your decision

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Not being able to run from side of my very tiny house to the other with my grandchild without getting out of breath

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I really didn't, my surgeon likes one way and I felt more confident with what he feels better with.

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 had the fears of dying. If you are a normal person, you will fear the complications but that only makes you do what you are supposed to do to prepare yourself.

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 are the most supportive people I have ever known.

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

I just had the surgery and will be out approximately 3-4 weeks. My supervisors are wonderful people who even went as far as to make me a goody bag for after the the surgery (another employee had the surgery and helped them with what to put in it)

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 for 3 days and they treated me very well. Kind of weird when they brought you your "meal" tray and it was just liquids but that was ok-wasn't hungry anyway. The most important thing to bring would be chap stick, your mouth gets extrememly dry for some reason.

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

I only had minimal problems-I was very fortunate. I had a problem with swallowing water but my doctor prescribed some nexxeum and that took care of it.

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 went from elated to nervous and back again but I had a great support system and they helped me with the nerves.

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

I had a great support system at home but there were times that I got bored and depressed staying at home

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

I only had to travel 25 minutes so it didn't affect my aftercare at all.

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 was on a liquids only diet for 3 weeks after surgery then went to a crispy crunchy diet then I got to eat soft foods and now I can eat anything but my doctor wants me to be on a no sugar low carb diet.

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

I watch my 2 1/2 year old grand daughter so that keeps me hopping now but right after surgery, I just walked as much as I could

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

I take a multivitamin and b-12 once a day and calcium and iron twice a day.

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?

the nausea is the worst but the diarria is a close second! I still have nausea when I eat too much or the wrong thing but the bowel thing is settling down.

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

the cost!!!!

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

I have a friend that has been through this and this website. I can't imagine not having either one not around because of the support.

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

my scar looks like a zipper and I didn't think it would be this big but I can handle it, no bikinis!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't had too much of a plateau yet. I have gone a week or so where I only lose 1 or 2 pounds then the next week I lose 7.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, peple do treat me a lot diferrently. Guys look at me and women don't talk down to me.