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

A lady i worked with told me she was having the surgery. I at that time realy hadn't heard of it she gve me this site and info and I started looking into. This was in oct. 2000

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

Just be patient it will work out.

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

I went to a open meeting with a lot of other people and he was very open about the risk of surgery and answered all the questions that were thrown out at him. And if he didnt know an answer he just said I don't know I would have to look into he didnt give answers he could belive in.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew once it was an option I wanted it no ?'s asked

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I just wanted to get healthy and be able to have more kids I left all that up to my surgon

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 thought about the dying but I look at everything the same I could die from crossing the street. It has to be my time and if God wants me then I have no choice and I was ready for anything and I made sure my husband and son were ok with it also.

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?

At first my mother said she would rather me not do the surgery but she wanted me to be heathy and nothing I did seemed to help. I just keeped talking to her and she finaly said she gave me her bleesing and felt better about it. Everyone else just sd they would keep me in their prayers and I knew I would be ok. Now that I've had the surgery Everyone is very happy and glad to see me heathier.

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

I just said I was taking time off for surgery and I was off for 8 weeks I also had a tummy tuck at the same time as my surgery.

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

The only thing I didn't like about the hospital stay was an X-ray tech who was having a bad day the day after my surgery and she wasn't very nice in her patience with me and my condition.

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

I had to be on oxygen a little longer than the intial 1day I was on it for 3days but not that big of a deal.

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 great the only thing I didn't like was the 90 staples I had from hip to hip and the 3 drain tubes. other than that I was great.

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

If you have kids they will want to sit on you and for you to pick them up be prepared for some saddness. My 3yr old couldnt understand mommy couldnt pick him up. or let him sit on my lap for long periods of time it hurt. Just do little things don't over due and take it easy let the people around you pamper you. enjoy

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

270 miles I didnt mind travel it didnt hurt I sleep any time I travel.

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 couldn't and still cant handle soda. Steak is a hard one to eat also if I eat a piece that usually is all I can eat is one little piece of steak and then usualy nothing else. I love baked beans and green beans and they tast good but give you lots of gas and since surgery gas has gotten more intense. I try everyting I would have before but if it hurts or doesnt taste good I dont try it again for a while. After surgery suger foods tasted nastie but now can handle a few things now

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

I was a baby and didn't do anything that may hurt. I let my husband and in-laws take care of me. after about six weeks I started walking around and taking day trips and doing a lot more things.

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

flinstone complete and then bugs bunnys suger free complete (a little better tasting then the flinstones and made by the same co. and have the same stuff in them.

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 sleep better than I have in years. I dont snore any more. My hair loss is most likely the biggest problem do to the women in my family tend to have thin hair and I've alwas had a ful head of hair and I am scared of being bald. So it is still an issue for me 6mnths pst op. Vomiting is bad at first then when you get used to what your stomach can handle then it doesnt last long.Its jsut getting used to how much you can eat and not over do it.

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

It so far has been worth every thing I have had to go thru. I would do it again

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

I have'nt gone to any support groups At my work there has been 4 people thus far who have had the surgery and about 3 or 4 more that have started the process to get approved So we have all supported each other.

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

I have a problem with my scars bubbling out and so its still isnt pretty but I don't mind it I figure once I hit my ideal weight I may see about having it romoved. maybe. I don;t feel like I will model bikinnes.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I get a little upset when it takes me amnth to lose 10lbs when in the beginig I was loosing 20 lbs a month.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes I had a person who realy didnt want any thing to do with me then when I came back from surgery they have taken me out for drinks and plan on taking me out for dinner. All I can say and do to them is show her I'm the same person just skinner. I look at this way its free drinks and free food.