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

my sister had it and I swore I never do that to my body

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

Simple...I spent a lot of time on the ophone making appts. but other than that it was simple. Stay organized

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

LONGGG...go after you research & have all your questions that need to be answered. Be sure to share all of your feelings and TAKE NOTES

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

my declining physical condition...confidence in my surgeon

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i felt the band wasnt good enough becasue i had so much weight to loose

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 only fear was leaving my children motherless, but I was very confident and determined to do all the right things and refused to belive anything could go wrong...I was very positive and confident

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 elated for me, but I dont think they really understood the process, on the results...But they were very supportive and still are!

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

I didnt tell them because I on summer break, BUT they called me back early and I said I couldnt due to a "procedure" and they were fine with it

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

My stay was amazing. The staff was so accomodating, I felt like I was on vacation!! I did not have to call for a nurse once!! They were always there when I needed them!!

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

Not yet...

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 a little anxious, but I was so focused on having this done and having it be successful, so I channeled my energy into becoming more educated about everything..

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

My first weeks were uneventful...It was difficult to get all of the required nutrition, but I was determined and I did it!!

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

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.

I followed the nutritionists recommended diet to a T...The first couple of wees were liquids, then mush for 4 and then I introduced everlything little by little..I still had to focus on the protein becasue it was still difficult to get it all in. To date, I dont have "troble" with hardly anything...Although I can only eats eggs when they are boiled...any other way doesnt sit right with me.

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

I was able to do what I needed to do...I took 3 weeks off of work but wish I could have taken 4...I was exhausted at the end of my first week back..

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

I take 2 Centrum Multis/day and 6 Caltrate w/Vit D petites...I had been taking 4, but the NUT said I needed more than that so I upped it.

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 have been very lucky...In 5 months, I have only vomited 3 times...The thing that really bothers me is the foamies...That has happened 2 times, and I got really anixous when it did...I didn't like not having control over it..

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

The worst part...I'll let you know when it happens, but I would have to say the weight loss stalls..

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

I have followed up with my surgeon and nutritionist as they have requested. I also made "friends" on OH that had surgery the same day as I did, and we compared stories and supported eachother as necessary

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

small brown lines...almost looks like discoloration of my skin, but that could just be my ethnicity..

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Weight loss has been slow with many plateaus. I have decided to embrace them and do what I can to get the weight loss going again...I find if I increase my protein, it jumpstarts the weight loss again..

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

You know, its funny...I have lost 80 pounds and people are just starting to notice...I have always been well repected by the people around me and I feel the weight loss has not affected that at all!!