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

My first impression of gastric bypass surgery was that it was not the way to go. I could lose the weight by myself if I exercised and ate right. The only thing I didn't know was it was going to be a struggle to get my fat cells back to the size they were supposed to be.

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

Had no problems getting insurance approval

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

I went into this meeting knowing quite a bit. I didn't do a lot of research but I had seen the surgery performed on the tv so I knew what to expect there. I also have a friend who had the surgery on 1/26/04 and she has been keeping me informed of her experiences.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After 4 doctors told me I needed to have this surgery because I have severe back pain, I finally listened to my friend who just had the surgery and it didn't sound so bad. I decided that I best have the surgery in order to get rid of or lessen all the other problems I have also (diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis).

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't - the procedure is the only one my doctor does

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 a fear or complications or even death but you go into any surgery with these fears. My biggest fear is dying and not being able to see my family again. Don't know what I'd tell others because I haven't fixed my own fears yet.

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 and friends are all concerned for my heatlh and want what's best for me. I believe they have the same fears as I do but believe I am doing the right thing. Believe I have kept them as informed as I am.

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

not appropriate

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

My stay in the hospital was great. Most of the nursing staff was great; there were a few nurses who needed a class in how to be friendly and sympathetic to the patients. I was in the hospital for 5 days because I had a complication after the surgery. The most important thing to bring is your own bath towel because the ones they provide are the size of hand towels.

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

Yes, my bowels did not want to cooperate after the surgery from the narcotics. I was very upset because I had to have an ng tube down my throat and it was very uncomfortable to say the least. I also had to start my eating process all over again after 3 days.

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 was excited to finally have a date that I could watch on the calendar. Don't remember about the anxiety.

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

My first few weeks home from the hospital were not what I expected. I thought I would be very tired and could nap but that wasn't the case. I was actually bored because I wanted to do things but couldn't.

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

My hospital was about 60 miles from my home. It was kind of a pain after to go back and get my stitches out. And it is still a pain to go back there for my office visit.

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.

When I first came home I could not eat hot dogs (which I love). I really did not have too much trouble eating. I tried to stay with what the nutritionist gave us as examples. At about the 2 month mark or so, I tried to eat a half of a sandwich and that did not go over well. Don't know if I just wasn't ready for bread or I ate too fast or didn't chew it up enough but it caused me a problem. Now I'm eating pretty much everything except rice and pizza. Can't wait to have that pizza!

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

I still don't think I have the energy level I should but perhaps I've been told it's because I don't get all the protein I should be.

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

I take a multivitamin, B-12, calcium and biotin. I was taken off B-1 because I had too much in my body.

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 am 3 months out and have just started the hair loss thing. I don't like it and am afraid all my hair will fall out. Am having problems with my medicines. Apparantely, I'm having an absorption with my pain medication the doctor thinks. Will find out more about that next week. Didn't experience anything else.

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

I belong to an aftercare support group in my area. Sometimes it is helpful and other times it isn't. We are starting to get better organized so that will certainly help.

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

My scar is about 4 inches long and is just now at 3 months starting to get flat. Not sure what I expected the scar to be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Haven't reached a plateau yet and really don't want to but know it will be coming.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no