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

My mother in law got the surgery a few years ago and I started looking into it then.

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

My Dr's Office did it all. It was so easy.

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

I was so afraide he would tell me I was not big enough. We got through the appoinment and he said I was a good canidate for the surgery. I would say ask lots and lots of questions and read all you can about it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

depression

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

went with the surgery my insurance company recomended

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 feared that I would die and leave my kids behind but I thought to myself I will if I don't do something now anyways. People would ask why would you take the chance of that, knowing you could die, I take the chance of it every day I get into my car or cross the road so what is the difference.

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?

Most of my family was excited to hear i was doing it, but not my dh, he was completely against it. He is happy now though. I am only five days out so my recomendations are not the best right now.

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

My employer was happy but not with the time I have to take off. 6 weeks off.

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

I had three kids at home that I missed so I hated the hospital stay. For the most part though, it was ok. The first night I had a really nasty nurse. I was there from wednesday to Saturday. I brought a change of clothes, body wash, shampoo, tooth brush and paste, bath robe would recomend a very light bath robe, slippers, socks, underwear, chap stick, pictures of my kids.

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

Not so far.

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 am five dyas out but feeling pretty good.

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

Lots of sleep if you can, I have a hard time sleeping.

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

1 hour and 35 minutes, slept on the way home, it was bouncy and painfull

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.

still on a strict liquid diet

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

didn't do very much so far but feeling much better today

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

optisource

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?

So far I get no sleep, have crazy dreams, don't feel like eating at all,

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

first few days after and feeling so weak

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

I have a support group every other Monday and I have only been to one of them so far but it was very informative

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

not as big as I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none so far

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet