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

i found out about this through other people i knew that had the surgery. I thought it was going to be a quick fix and that i would be able to eat what ever i wanted and loose wgt. I was wrong, surgery is just the tool, it's up to me to make life changes

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

due to diabetes and sleep apnea and very high cholesterol and asthma i had no problems with my insurance company....thank god! But my Dr. did write a letter to help me out.

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

my doctor was infromative although i had a rough time trying to understand him, so his nurse help out alot . I thought i was well read as a pre-op ,i searched the web ,talked to other people besides my doctor. I asked alot of questions to my dr.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

my health was so bad i figured i was a stroke waiting to happen, so i felt i had nothing to lose, I was told by 1 dr if i didnt do something about my weight soon i would be dead by the time i was 40,i was 42 so i figured i was on borrowed time.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

talking to other people who had this proceedure and talking to the Dr. But! i really didnt know about all the diffrent types till after i had the rny and got on a internet wl group.

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 a big fear about dying during the surgery! i made my requests known to my family I now have since realized its after surgery that has the most complications. I had know idea about blood clots ect... I was concerned about my lungs the most of not coming of the vent or of have a stroke or heart attack I thought i was well informed but i was wrong

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 husband was a wreck and very worried esp after they couldn't put in a swans gantz. My whole family was very scared but knew if i didnt do something i was doomed. My whole family and friends have been VERY! supportive. Im so very lucky i have the family i do.

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

i think the nurses in icu were fantastic and very attentive and patient , they explained alot to me and gave me high praises ,esp when it came to coughing and moving. The floor nurses were nice but of coarse not as attentive. They had to many others to care for, so i did alot of the care my self.I was in the hospital approx 5-7 days ...i really dont remember to clearly. most important thing to bring was many changes of panties in case of accidents after surgery and a warm robe, i was cold after surgery (when i got to my room on the floor.)Also a good pair of slippers that i could just slide my feet into (i couldn't bend)also mouthwash that u like, i had a case of dry mouth, due to the O2 i was on.and i didnt like the hosp brand made me sick to my stomach.

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

just pneumonia, and i used the spirometer alot and moved alot, and did what i was told to do. I forced myself to move even though it hurt! I knew that it would hurt for a sec, but it was in my best interest.

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 iwas happy,excited,nervous and scared all in one. I talked my anxiety out to my loved one, the doctor, and post op people. Also prayed alot too. I tried to focus on the positive things that would happen by loosing the weight.also i ate alot to deal with the anxeity witch wasnt good,but when im nervous i eat

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

i was weak,and tired easily. I still had to wear my c pap. I slept alot , but did walk around the house to get my strenght up.

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

i live approx 40 minutes from where the hosp and Dr are. Doesnt effevt my after care unless we have a snow storm in the winter.

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.

meats , eggs,breads were very hard for me, at times breads and eggs atill are. I've lost my taste for red meat.Dairy products are off limits, i became lactose intol. after surgery as time went by i was able to eat alittle more but have to becareful, sometimes i dont make the best choices,

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

none

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

it's healed well, but i expected it would look like it does.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

1st plateau was 2 months after surgery.........lasted 3 weeks!! i have had plateaus off and on theis past year.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, im not made fun of anymore