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

My dental hygenist started talking of it and I was interested right away.

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

Be patient and make sure you have your "ducks in a row". The more information you can provide to your surgeon and to the insurance company the better. I think mine went so well because I had just about everything documented.

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

Very impressed with his knowledge and personality. Didn't feel he was talking down to the group.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The way I feel and the way I want to feel and look.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Insurance approval requirements and surgeon.

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 do have fears from the surgery, but with my strong faith in God. I know He'll be with me. For many years I've prayed for the Lord to help me loose the weight...it worked for a while, but it came back and I never lost nearly what I needed to. When the thought of surgery became more real to me, I prayed. I prayed that if God wanted it to happen...it would. When I visited my PCP, she suggested right away to see the surgeon. When I visited the surgeon, he approved right away. And when I was approved with no problems...God does anser prayer!!!

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?

Almost all my friends and family are being very supportive. My Mother is scared for me and we don't speak much of the surgery. But I know she'll be there for me.

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

Haven't told them at work yet...guess I better...

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

I was in ICU the first night and then the regular ward the other 2 nights. Received great care, but the best in ICU. Don't bring too much stuff! Confortable clothes to wear home with nothing too binding around the middle.

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

The only thing that got me was to remember to drink and eat slowly!

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

The more days you have to recover the better I felt. Walk, walk, walk. Don't stay on your "butt" all day! Start walking when they say you can!

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

Again, keep walking. And use a pillow against your tummy to help with the soreness.

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

About 20 minutes. Not bad at all, just that it was raining!

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.

Well, I did stick by the diet menu given by Dr. Clark, but now I still cannot eat brocolli, chips, or "real" hamburgers. I get really ill, and that's enough for me not to miss these things at all. Really sweet stuff isn't good either.

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

I was up and walking by the evening of my surgery. My activity level incrased as the days went on. The more I walked, the better I felt.

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

Just a regular one-a-day vitamin now.

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 had some bouts with vomiting about the first few months after surgery, but mostly because I wasn't eating slow enough. SLOW DOWN! I did have some hair loss, but it soon stopped once my dietary habits got better.

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

Waiting for the incision site to heal, and getting the tubes out! Other than that it was so exciting to see the weight come off and how much better it made me feel!

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

I basically use my family for support. I have attended a few support group meetings.

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

It has healed quite nicely. Nothing more or less than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Just that the weight loss seems to slow down after the first 6 months. But be patient!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, really I do.