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

My sister had it done 9 years ago. WIshed I could do it.

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

Well the companay I was with didn't cover it, So I was determined I asked around who did and changed jobs ( as a Nurse it wasn't too hard) and got a job with a company that did cover it. Then it took 3 weeks from the day of meeting the surgeon to the day of surgery.

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

I loved him from the beginning, I did alot of research before I went in plus he was referred by my trusted PCP.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being unhappy,and finally was doing something permament.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I first wanted to do the lapband but after much research decided the bypass was best for me, and less maintenance.

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 didn;t have any fears, my life was going to be over soon with the extra weight, and I was no longer going to live unhappy.

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?

They were very supportive about all of it.

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

I was out of work for 4 weeks , and they were all for it.

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

My stay was 3 days, it was wonderful, I brought magazines and family.

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

NO

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 feel weak, I did not drink enough water and was put back in the hospital after 2 weeks just for hydration.

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

Very tired and not hungry at all.

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

15 minutes from my home. I had all my children at the same hospital.

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 started off with liquids first week, then pureed, then more full diet. I cannot eat hamburger meat or very dry meat. I do eat tons of protein, and salads.Now about 1 yr out I can eat almost anything but just dont really want fried foods and sweets.

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

the first few months was very slow, I was tired a lot.

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

b12,b1.prenatal,biotin, evening primrose,iron.

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?

Hair loss was the worst for me and, it was just so hard to drink the 64 0z if water at the beginning.

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

I would have to say the pain in my side the first few weeks from the incision sites and changing positions.

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

Obesityhelp

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

Very mimimal

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateua ever few month but increased water and protein and it stared up again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes a little more friendly.