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

Tv Ad's and then some Friends got it done and inspired me to search into it and finally say.... I want to live a longer life.

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

My insurance was very understanding and approved it very fast. I had all the data they needed to approve it.

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

Bring questions with you the Dr is there to ask about anything....

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Wanted to live longer life

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Friends had it done and done well with it. 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?

You are gonna die one day anyway, but why let your bad health decide your death. The will to live was much stronger than the will to die

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 the best for me before, during and after surgery. Friends were wonderful too, never think you are alone... Everyone that knows you cares.

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

Didnt have a job

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Was very glad to attend the weight seminar, it pumps you up to see other people there and going through the same hard choices you have had to deal with in life. Knowing you aren't alone and people love you is the best feeling in the world.

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

The St Vincent Hospital couldn't have been any better. They didn't have one bitter person working there. I stayed in the hospital from Thursday morning till Sat afternoon. Most important thing to bring with you is support.. Bring family or friends to help you get through the transition. Walking with them helps you keep your spirit up.

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

Only thing was I hurt on the left side where the deepest cut was. Was cut 6 times and only one hurt. Just had support telling me each day would get easier and better and it did.

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 talked about it a lot. Let people know how you are feeling, don't keep it all inside and to yourself. Don't let anyone tell you that the risk of dieing on the table is to risky. Leading a life heavy where you can't breathe, or walk very far and so limited is not much a life. You can make it through any thing with strong will power.

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

Getting used to the vitamins took some getting used each morning. When I wake up I take the 3 chewable vitamins and B-1 every morning before 10am. I found that it is easier to take them with juice, helps kills the taste of what I call metal mouth.

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

Drove 2 and 1/2 hours to the hospital. Doesn't affect the aftercare, I use the phone when I need to contact them between visits. They are always there on call.

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.

Coming home from the hospital I ate : oatmeal, sugar free puddings, jello, chicken broth, and refried beans. Popsicle helped to get in liquid intake and taste really good. The 1st 4 weeks only you have to limit your food selection while your stomach heals. Week 5 you have a broader selection and feel like you are missing out on eating things.

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

After I came home from surgery I couldn't sleep well so I would walk around the inside of the house serveral times. Walking helped ease the pain and calmed my nerves. I decided to make a plan to walk 10mins after eating each meal. That gives you 30mins a day.

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

3 chewable muti vitamins B-1 vitamin B-12 once a month {shot} 3 times a day calcium citrate {upcal D}

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?

Into week 4 and have not experienced dumping. Have not vomited or lost any hair. I have had headaches that I feel are from not drinking enough liquid, once drink more it goes away.

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

The nervousness and worrying over how things will be after surgery. Just have to remember it takes patience and time to heal and it is a life time change.

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

I attend a support group an hour away and I am glad that I do. Any questions or concerns that run through your mind someone there is either wondering the same or has the answer you are looking for. You meet all kinds of people there, some that is awaiting to have it done, some that have had it done. So you get before, during and after.

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

6 scars and 5 you can barely see. One just has not healed all the way yet and with time will not be that noticeable either one day. No different than any other lap surgery scar. Longest scar is about the length of my pinky finger.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Week 3 I hit a plateau and stayed at the same weight and or gained a pound and then it would bounce back and forth. Within the 4 weeks have lost 28pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are concerned and always ask, How am I feeling. It's nice to hear them say: You are looking thinner each time you meet someone you haven't seen in a long time. It a sentence I have waited a life time to smile about.