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

At first I was sure it worked, but not so sure I wanted to be sliced and diced. I later looked into more procedures and went to a few doctor's consultations and found the right situation for me. I didn't really fear the procedure after that. I have heard about it online.

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

HAVE YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW. Well I avoided one step by having my doctor/s write a letter about how I would benifit from having the surgery. I also went to my psychiatrist to get one from here. That way I was able to avoid their psychiatrist and saved a bunch of bucks. The letters saved me time in getting my file ready. My insurance was really not bad, except for the fact that I didn't know much about COE facilities. So I had to hunt for a doctor that wasn't too far from me that practiced out of a COE facility. SO it took a little homework on my part.

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

Come with questions. If your doctor rushes you...move on. He needs to make you feel like you are his world. You have to have complete faith in him and his ability. Get all of your questions answered. That is the point of the first visit. I found that the doctors that saw me individually, and not as a mass group were the doctors I liked the best. (I interviewed a lot of docs). Remember, you hire them...not the other way around.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Defeat! This is the perfect time in my life. I'm done having babies and my kids are still young to enjoy!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After many consultations and education seminars. Also after watching my father pass away after Gastric Bypass. I decided the lap band was the better decision.

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?

Great fears. I just watched someone do it! I stayed really spiritual...I found my happy place. I think the whole time was in disbelief that it was even happening, because after the procedure and I was in and out of sleep in the room, I kept having a reoccuring dream that they hadn't taken me back for the surgery yet. You have to conquer your deamons. No one else can.

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?

Well I was careful who I shared that info with. I live around my siblings and mother. They are really supportive, but still scared because my dad died recently from gastic bypass. I choose not to tell my husbands family until after I recovered from the actually surgery because they tend to be a lot more conservative, and I knew it was something I wanted, and didn't want any phone calls trying to talk me out 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 am a stay at home mom, so all is well here. Although I had laproscopic and you are going to be out 2 weeks.

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

My stay was very pleasant. They really connected with me there. I didn't feel like a freak trying to pull my life together. I felt like a champion running towards the finish line!

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

I had minor complications that almost got blown out of proportion. I had a fever, lung pain and head ache. I went to the ER and they told me that my levels were high in my blood to indicate that I had heart damage. After gettin admitted, the doctor that took care of me on the floor told me that the levels weren't high enough to worry about. And my levels were a little elevated because everyone's are after surgery. The lung pain was from the tube in my bronchials during surgery and the fever was from the bronchial irritation and I got phlebitis from my iv (Irriated vein)

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Everyday I feel better. I'm not weeks out yet, but everday is better.

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

You should expect to feel sore for sure. I don't know how people do this without a support system. You are going to have to spend a lot of time figuring out what your pouch can handle and what it can not. AND that is sticking to the nutritional guide you were given in the begining.

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

444 miles. From Albuquerque New Mexico to Denver Colorado. 6 hour drive.

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.

Well It is hard to say as I am still learning. No chicken. I stuck with clear liquids the first 4 days. The last day I ate soft foods. I'm not past that stage yet, but look forward to a tasty meal!

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

I still don't know. I'm still recovering. Only 5 days out.

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

Flintstone

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?

Gas. It made my insicions hurt, I felt like I had something stuck in my chest and my abdomen was distended. Walk walk walk to get the farts out! lol

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

The worst part I would have to say is the mental hunger. I find myself mentally missing food. I'm not hungery, but if something looks good, i find myself fighting going to get it!

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

All I have my family. I just made sure they were well educated on the subject.

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

Ya pretty much.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I'm not far enough out. What I have noticed is that people are more respectful about eating around me.