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

TV commercials. Wow, I wish I could do that.

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

I had no problems, my doctor took care of it.

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

Very informative. Bring a list of questions, and don't leave until you have the answers (be sure to write the answers down, you'll forget everything the minute you walk out the door)

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was not ready to die.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Doctor decided.

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 of complications or of dying, I was already dying due to the weight.

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 children, all teenagers, were skeptical at first, but they could see I was not well while fat, so they were and are very supportive. My husband has been extremely supportive from the minute I told him. My siblings for the most part have been supportive, a couple of them have given me the "You took the easy way out" speech, but to them, oh well. I did this surgery for me, to live, if they don't like it, to bad.

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

I do not work, due to disability.

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

I was in the hospital 4 days. It was exactly what you would expect. I would definetely bring a personal CD player, a person can only watch so much TV, and you will also have your music when you are on your walks.

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

No immediate complications.

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 definetely questioned why I had the surgery, but that was when I was suffering from dehydration - not a good thing.

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

Very, very tired. You will not be back to full perkiness. Rest as much as possible. If you could have someone around to "keep up with the normal routine" that would be great.

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

About 60 miles. It has had some effect on the support meetings, but not a problem with the doctor's visits. Bloodwork can be done locally, with results faxed to my surgeon.

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 could hold down nothing after surgery, which is the reason I got dehydrated 4 times. I was finally able to start getting soft and bland foods down by about 4 months. Protein was still very low. Between 6 and 7 months, was finally getting in protein and most any food, the exceptions are hot pasta, hamburger, and red sauce.

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

Zero. But that was due to the dehydration.

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

1 Multi-Vitamin, 4 Calcium Citrate+D, 1 sublingual B-12, iron (prescribed)

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?

Vomiting several times a day until about 6 months - it became a way of life. I have had significant hair loss, my hair was down to my butt, so I cut it and it is now just touching my shoulders.

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

waiting pre-op

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

I go to the Peoria Illinois Surgical Group Support Group. I did not start going until I was 7 months post op, but I am glad I am going now. It is a very supportive group that meets every week. It is very important to me to keep on track and to get ideas from other people, and just to hear others journeys.

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

My scar goes from my sternum to my belly button. The scar does not matter to me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I started having plateaus in my 7th month. Going to the support groups is helping me to keep on track with diet, exercise and expectations.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, even family members talk with me more.