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

I first heard about it on the news and said I would never ever go that far into doing something like this.

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

I can honestly say I had no issues what so ever with the insurance approvals. Be patient, it will all work out in the end.

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

I was very impressed when I first met Dr. Ewing, I briefly met him in the seminar. He listemed to my concerns, fears. Answered my questions. Ask questions, you need to be able to know what is going to happen and if you don't trust your surgeon. It will not be good

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided that I wasn't getting any younger. I also did not want to end up deceased at the age of 50. (like my father)

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was very adament about having the lap band done. I refused to be cut open and have my insides rearranged and moved around. After listening in the seminar and doing research I decided to take a different route and have the gastric bypass done instead.

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 never wanted to think about those fears. I held all of that inside, which is not good. But you have to think logically. Yes any kind of surgery you can have a fatal complication. But you can also walk outside cross the street and get hit by a car. Anything can happen.

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 immediate family has been very supportive from day one. I did have a few who were against it, felt that I could do it on my own. But since the surgery, things have been well.

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

I havebeen out of work for 4 weeks so far. Hopefully 2 more weeks to go. I didn't go ahead and tell everyone. My immediate supervisor is aware of what I did and was supportive. I told her the truth what and why I was doing this.

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

My stay was great. I had surgery on a Tuesday, by Wednesday I was up walking around, & discharged on Thursday. Bring slippers, robe, & most important Chapstick

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

No complications.

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 counting down the days.

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

walking helps alot. Very tired in the beginning. Would sleep late and did not have enough energy.

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

the hospital was about 30 minutes from my house.

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.

there are alot of things you can not eat after surgery. You do get used to it. Depending on your surgeon, everyone is different.

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

It was a slow process, taking walks around the neighborhood.

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

2 flintstone chewables, 2 viactive chewables & Sublingual B12 drop daily

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?

vomiting didn't start until I was in the mushy stage of the diet. Eating too fast, body not able to tolerate certain foods. Dumping did occur for me not long after I was home, that was on account of not diluting my juices with water.

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

The pain afterwards, trying to get up and down out of bed. From the incisions not a week later they were gone. Its really the first few days. That is it

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

I have not been to a support meeting yet, I have been in contact with message boards here on OH and other websites. They are very important because you get to talk to those who have already had surgery and can give you ideas.

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

My scars are very small. I did expect them to be worse than what they are

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had one plateau 5 weeks after surgery I had lost only a pound and was very disgusted and upset. But it was on account of not taking in enough protein. Not drinking enough water.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I haven't experienced being treated differently yet. Some people have noticed...and if they don't they have issues. ☺ But everyone of my friends and family that know have been very supportive of my decisions.