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

My sister had it.

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

My doctors office took care of it.

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

I had a list of questions and my doctor was so good he answered them all before I had the chance to ask them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew I had to do something. I had diabetes, high blood pressure and I didn't want to live like that any more.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Since I was diabetic my doctor would only do the RNY.

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 knew I was going to die if I didn't do it, so I thought that after research on my doctor that I was in good hands.

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 dad was worried but supportive. My husband and children 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 supervisor didn't say much. I told him that I was going to have grastric bypass and that I didn't think I would be out long. I was out for 2 weeks. I would have only been out one week, but I got an infection in one of my incisions.

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

My stay was good. I had to stay 3 days and the most important thing to bring is your faith that this is a new beginning!

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

I had blood loss so I had to have a transfusion and I got an infection in one of my incisions. I was so weak that I could barely sit up, but after 2 weeks I have never felt better. I just prayed and leaned on my friends to help me through it. I would call my sister and my best friend and felt better after that.

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 felt relieved. I just couldn't wait.

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

I had a hard time with my family eating McDonalds and I was drinking protien drinks. That was hard. I never noticed how many food comercials there wee prior to not being able to eat. It was very hard, but it was temporary.

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

I only had to travel about 5 miles.

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.

Bread was off limits. It made me very sick. It has been 6 months now and I can tolerate most all foods.

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

The first few weeks there was not much activity. I guess because of the blood loss and the infection I was so tired I coulnd't hardly shower without shaking all over. Now I work out about 3 days a week.

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

Centrum chewables and vitamin C and B12

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 really did not have vomiting but about 5 times and that was from drinking to soon after eating. I had NO hair loss.

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

The being so tired right after. With the blood loss, infection and lack of energy from the drastic reduced calorie intake I could hardly function.

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

We have a monthly support group that my doctor requires as part of aftercare. If you miss more than 3 he drops you as a patient.

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

Very small and they are fading already.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am 6 months out and I have had a couple of plateaus where I don't lose anything for a few weeks. I review what I have been eating and adjust to start losing again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people who used to not speak now do. Those that were over weight with me now don't say much at all,.