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

My cousin had it done and several coworkers. i thought it was wonderful but drastic. i always thought I can do it alone.

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

I had to do a 6 mo diet then had to repeat it because i had misses a month. Since the beginning of the second go around ins has changed requirement. i just hope I can get approves before they change again. After having all paperwork in it took 11 days to get approval.

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

My first visit with the surgeon was in the hospital. I have met him before when my cousin had her surgery. So I knew him already.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I realized i can't do it. i am out of control and don't want to go back to the hospital to avoid a stroke

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i am freaked out by the band and i think i need the drastic effects of 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 think about it becasue i have a 9 yr old. i think no surgury near his bady or xmas. what if.... but i am confident i will do great.

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?

the bf hates it. he like me heavy and doesnt realize the bad health i am in. my family is very happy for me

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

they are supportive and i think shocked.

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

I went in on Monday at 900 and left the hospital Tuesday at 1pm. The stay was ok. When I woke from surgery they had me walk with no help. That nurse was no help at all. But the others were great.

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

no complications at all.

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

On like 10/03 I got the date of 11/3. Then my approval came in the changed it to 10/13. So I didn't have time to panick. I really had no excitement either way. Funny.

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

I was in so much pain for about 3 days. I walked around the house. My mom was there to help. I stayed upstairs. But after day 3 I was shopping and it was ok. It took a good 8 days for no pain at all.

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

Just a couple 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.

At first I was on all liquids for 2 weeks. That stunk. Then mashed foods. So I ate mashed potatoes and mashed cauliflower, creamed soups. Then I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I could tolerate it. Of course low sugar, low carb high protein. I eat kashi cereal each day and cheese. I can eat anything as long as I chew and chew and chew. I have not tried any sugar. I like thinking it will put me in a coma. I still cannot find anything good to drink.

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

I am 4 weeks out and still so tired. No energy at all. i do take all my vitamins but I only eat about 400 calories a day.

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

multi, b12, b1

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 hate the pain that happens when I drink too fast. I am so thirty all the time and want to gulp. But I still have to sip. I hate that. I have only had one thing get stuck and that was watermelon. I didn't chew. I have not been sick otherwise.

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

Approval and 1 week following surgery

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

I have my cousin who had the surgery 5 yrs ago. I also have OH which has been amazing.

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

4 tiny scars and 2 inch scars. exactly what i expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

3 week tall no loss at all. but then 4lbs in 4 days.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no not yet