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

I had heard aout it on the internet and it was very scary, in fact it took me several years and several false starts till I finally had had enough and went ahead with the surgery.

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

The program I went to was excellent and they did a lot of work. If you find the right program they will do the work and let you know what if anything you have to do to get approval. My program bent over backwards to see that I met the insurance company criteria.

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

The program I attended was great the surgeon has a 1-2 hour consult with you and he drew pictures and everything. That day you also met the program dietician and a clininc coordinator that had had the surgery done to answer any concerns or questions and they still do this to this day. The way to get the most from a meeting with the surgeon is to reserch information prior to and ask a lot of questions and be satisfied with the answers you recieve.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was to the point most people get to where I did not want to live this way anymore.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The program I went to had only the open Rouen Y and after reserch and finding that the complication rate of laproscopic was estimated at 30% greater than the open, I opted for the open.

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?

You would not be human if you were not scared, But at the point I was at I did not care what happened , I could no longer live the way I was

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 was scared for me before, during and after the surgery but offered thier support none the less and still do to this day.

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

I worked at the facility where I had it done and I was thier very first patient. My Supervisor and all my coworkers and actually ALL the Hospital Employees were rooting for me and behind me 100%. I was out 6 weeks due to having short term disability available to me, or I could have gone back in 4 weeks.

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

My saty was great the hospital had purchased all the large chairs, beds and all other equipment needed to make my stay very comfortable. I was there 3 days. Things to bring would be your own pillow, lip balm and a positive attitude.

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

None and I went in expecting none.

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 on a medication for depression and I was so busy getting ready for the surgery that I was okay.

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

TIRED, do not push yourself to hard and do not expect to much right off the bat. Follow what you are told to do and you will breeze through it.

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

I live 25 miles away.

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 could not and still do not tolerate whole milk and yougurt. I became lactose intolerant to a degree. This is a guessing game and trial and error, keep trying things till they either work or never will. It is actually a challenge and quite fun.

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

Walking is all I did for the first 3-4 weeks. I did not do a workout till 12 weeks so that I did not risk causing a hernia along the incision line.

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

Daily Vitamins, protien bars and shakes, calcium and iron. Ocasionally I will take a B12 supplement if I feel tired.

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?

none

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

Nothing, I only wish I had done it sooner.

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

I was contacted once a week for 4 weeks and then at 2,3,and 6 months and then a year. I can call the program any time still. They also have a monthly support group and yearly reunions.

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

GOOD, YES

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Many plataues but you ride them out and increase your exercise as needed.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES and it makes me angry in a way because I am the same person as I was before only a lot less of me.