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

Neuro-surgeon recommended it. I refused to do it for 2 years. Then a friend got surgery done. I researched and watched surgies on the internet, read anything I could find. Spent over hundreds of hours researching

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

My insurance company would not pay for anything related to weight management. I paid for everything on my own.

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

He was very professional. Almost stand off-ish. He wanted to make sure I was physically, emotionally and mentally ready for this life style and lfie altering event. I appreciated that! Know what you are getting into by researching. Have your questions written out and don't be afraid to demand the time to ask them and get them answered in language you can understand.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The understanding that this was a tool and I would still have to do the work, but it was the last possibility to become healthy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The amount of weight lost in the shortest amount of time to get a grip on the mounting health issues. Also I know with the lap band I wouldn't have to change what I ate. With the full gastric I had to change what I ate. I know myself well enough that it I would have to not have an option to eat certain things for me to be successful.

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 no fears. I was well educated and felt very secure with my surgeron. Also my faith and belief in God allowed me to accept the risks possibilities.

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?

They were all supportive and still are my best support system. I would not have communicated anything differently. I was very open and honest with them and explained why I needed the surgery and what i expected from the surgery. I explained how the surgery would work and how it would take place.

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

My supervisor was supportive beyond belief. He told no one until I was ready. He arranged my work schedule so I could have support meeting days off to be able to attend. He is still supportive with what I need to do for myself over and above the workplace. I explained everything to him and he was very open to it all. I took 2 weeks off, but could have had whatever I needed.

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

My stay could not have been any better. The staff was very attentive and professional. My welfare was their 1st concern. My progress was their goal. I was in the hospital Monday 6am - Wednesday 2pm. I can't think of anything I needed to bring outside of toiletries. (C-Pap Machine)

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

No

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 great. I progressed very well. I didn't have any anxieties I can remember.

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

Expect to crave real food with different flavors. The liquid diet part is the hardest because it is hard to get a variety of flavors. Use your imagination. Ex: homemade hamburger vegetable soup broth. Save the hamburger and vegetable for the puree phase and it is great! Expect to walk, walk, walk and walk some more. Expect to drink water, drink water and drink some more.

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

I traveled 45 miles. It did not affected my aftercare at all. My doctor called me several times in the 1st week to make sure I was doing well. He was always available.

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.

Of course the liquid diet, puree diet and soft food diet were a regemine I had to follow. I have not found anything I have been unable to eat. I am able to eat more in a setting as time progressed. Some days I could eat more than other days. It is still that way. It becomes a matter of listening to your body and heeding it's signals.

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

I began walking within 5 hours of surgery. Each day I increased the distance and speed. Before surgery I was unable to exercise. Now I exercise 1-2 hours a day 5 days a week.

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

I take the same vitamin and calcium as I was befoe surgery. I was taking 11 prescriptions a day. I now take 3.

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

I attend the IWLS support group in Juntions City, Ks at Geary Community Hospital the 2nd Thursday of every month. I look forward to it because they provide great information and great support by the staff and the other patients. It is so important to me I take vacation time to attend.

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

It is less than I expected. It continues to fade.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am a year out and I have slowed down in pounds lost. This can get frustrating when I teeter with the same pound or two for a weeks at a time. BUT I have lost inches and clothing sizes, so I know I am still progressing. I also have visably slimmed down in the waist

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really.