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

I work in a for a group of Doctors and we have had a couple of employees in our group have the surgery and are doing real well. I also have watched TV and read articles on baratric surgery. I am so ready for this surgery - to be able to not have to take high blood preasure meds anymore would be great. To be able to breathe after you climb a flight of steps.

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

I am just in the beginning process - I called to see if this surgery was an exclusion and they told me no- but it has to be medically necessary.

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

Have not had that yet.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Because I want to see my grandchildren grow up- live a fuller richer life with my husband and be able to do the things that prompted us to move to this area such as hiking.

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

My stay at Blount Memorial could not have been any better. The entire staff were so cordial and helpful. I went in on Tuesday morning and went home on Thursday morning.

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

I did not have any complications from the 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 knew in my heart that I had made the right decession to have this surgery and therefore was not anxious or nervous. I was very weak after the surgery but as days passed I started feeling better every day. I am just a little past 3 months and actually due to the loss of weight I have more energy than pre-opt.

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

Very tired, a little sore. I had to sleep in my husbands recliner. After the first week got a little tired of clear liquids but I took one day at a time and made it through.

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.

Of course the first two weeks are just liquids. I was so excitd to have an egg and toast the Sunday morning after the liquid diet only to realize I could only eat a couple of bites and was full. I now am able to eat all fish, beans, chicken salad, protein drinks and bars. I do not tolorate chicken well unless it is ground real well. I still do not eat a lot at a time and I know when to take the last bite.

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

Not much- I walked as much as I could. My husband and I would go to the mall and I would walk awhile and sit for awhile. Now I walk every morning.

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

I take a multi-vitamin with iron, calicum,vitamin B-12 once a week (under the tongue) and just started potasium because mine was low. I am at 3 months.

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?

Sleep was difficult for the first couple of weeks and gradually a few hours at a time I was able to sleep in my own bed instead of the reclinner. So far I have had no dumping (because I do not eat anything with sugar in it). I have had a instance with dense food and had to make my self throw up - so now I avoid denese meats.

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

The first 2 weeks.

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

The support group of DR. Colqitt's meets every month and it has been so helpful not only to me but to my husband and family. I know from listing that most people have a lot of the same experiences.

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

My scar is not bad at all - very small.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had as much as a two week interval where I did not loose an ounce but I followed the steps and then would loose as much as 5 pounds at one time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I do not think so - everyone is so supportive and asks how I am doing and maybe a little sympathic when we are all eating together and I only have a couple of spoons of food on my plate.