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

I had a friend of my husbands family that had it done. I said I would never have it done.

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

I really didnt have any problems other than doctor not signing papers before he left. mistakes happen. But I called them a couple of days after I see the doctor just to keep on top of thing and glad I did.

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

Do your home work so you know what they are talking about. Understanding is the best thing. Dr. Clough was great made me feel very comfortable

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to get healthy and live longer than 10 more years.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with having the Open RNY Because I thought I was a better way to go, plus I drive school bus and only have so much time off in the summer to heal.

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?

Just trust the doctor and If its your time to go then it up no matter what your doing

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 support of my family has been great. other than some thinking I like to be operated on.

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

I told my boss I was having it done over the summer so I would not miss any time and would let him know if I needed more time off when school started

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

i was there 4 day. would have been only 3 but i filled up with gas they werent sure if it was my heart or gas..i was doing so well but they thought be best to stay extra day..when i got home I took gas x and everything ok

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

no complications from surgery

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 very excited to get healthy and happy again in my life

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

Very tired, sore, full of gas, every day got better,,had to sleep in recliner for week

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

45 mins to travel home

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 found out the biggest thing that I was very lactose.. any milk product was not good.

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

every day got better and easier

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

b12, multy vit, calcium with vit d

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?

just learning what to eat and how much,, then the hair loss came at 6months

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

gettng happy and healthy isnt easy, this is no way the easy way out that everyone thinks it is..But it is the best thing I could have done for myself. I always take care of everyone else it was time to take care of me before there was no me.

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

i use obesityhelp.com. msn gastric bypass group, friends that i made on this site

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

everthing i expected..6 inch long scar

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

have many plateau's they come and go

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes people look at me different