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

I spoke to several people who had had the Gastric bypass and seeing them lose and then regain thier entire weight back. Then I spoke to some other people who had just had the sleeve done and it was amazing their sucess and they way they felt about it. At that point I decided to look into it further.

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

I followed all the requirements that they had, I visited all the doctors and pyschologist with out a problem. The insurance rejected the request for surgery three times, until they were content and all thier requirements met. It took six months, but it was well worth it.

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

The actual visit with Dr. Hilmy was actually in a seminar that he request that all is patients attend to before meeting with him. Then an appointment is set up for you. Make sure you have all your information with you especailly dates relating to your battle with wieght.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health, I was in the begining stages of diabetes, I already had high blood pressure, cholestrol, sleep apena, back pain, knee pain and trouble breathing when walking from A - B and all this at the age of 38. I could not see myself living with all these illnesses; literally suffering as others would have to take care of me, if I had a stroke, or if my limbs had to be amputeded.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was simple, he had slides and Dr. Hilmy explained everything to us the class. In terms that we could all understand and relate too.

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?

My worst fear was that I was going to look too thin and malnurished. Dr. Hilmy told me if I knew what happended to patients with stomach cancer and I said no. He said they get a bypass and they don't like thin and sick. At that point i relaized that I could have the surgery with no problems.

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?

I knew for over a year that I wanted to have surgery, when i finally told my friends and family they were in shock. My friends told me to think about twice and my family supported me, but had tons of questions. They were more fears than anything. Once they were answered I had no problems. The biggest lifesytle change was not only mine, but my entire family. We now all eat healthier.

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

They were supportative and still are. They two have changed thier entire eating habits to fit my new eating habits... It has not been easy.

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

I was in the hospital for 1 day. It was awesome, I was drinking and eating jello the moment they woke me up. The next morning I was walking around with no problems except some heartburn.

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

None at all whatsoever.

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

My only anxiety was on new years eve when everyone was coming over with tons of food and I wanted to taste a little bit of everything and I paid the price. I learned excatly what happens with you over eat and stuff yourself. You get the worst pain ever and you feel like you can breath, but you have to calm yourself down and realize that you have a new stomach and new rules.

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

I was fine, i followed the drs orders and did not try to push myself. I drank plenty of water more than requested. I was on pain killers for only two days after that it was fine.

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

I traveled only 15 miles...

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.

My food tolerance are still in the learning stages. I used to love to eat taco meet (ground beef) I can no longer digest it and if I do I am in pain for hours. I can no longer eat foods that are high in fat, they make me sick as well, and thier is pain. I love junk food so I have tried several snacks that are fat free, sugar free and much to my suprise, the fat free chips make me sick and i don't need them anymore. Cookies that are sugar free are okay and I have to problems with them of course i can only have two, but that is good enough. I can no longer eat avacado for some reason it does not sit well on the stomach.

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

I was walking one mile after the surgery. I would go to the mall and walk for about 45 minutes.

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

I am currently taking protien shakes, 3 per day, 3 bariatric vitamins per day, 2 calcium pills per day and urso 3 per day for the gallbladder.

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?

I am currently on my second month and I have not noticed any changes.

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

The first two days with heartburn...

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

I have not attended any support groups.

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

I expected huge scares, but they were tiny and healed within the first two weeks.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I yo yo some weeks I will lose 5 lbs others 8 lbs and others 2 lbs..

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People notice me more now, but the worst thing is that I was a huge person and I was very intimidating and now people don't see me as so initimdating..