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

Friend had procedure done a year ago, I said NO WAY!!

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

Dr's office sent letter, I got approval letter back in a few weeks

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

Went well, WRITE questions down!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

it was available laprascopicaly, I was tired of being fat

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

did not want open

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?

did not tell mom until after it was done. Husband very supportive as well as kids. Sister and Brother were supportive also. Friends were all there for me.

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

They were all for it!

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

I stayed only 1 night (I am an RN). The hospital was terrible, was left FRESH post op without call light or phone for 3 hours. No one came in to check on me. They knew I was a nurse, so things were NOT explained to me. Bring a robe, slippers, and your handbook!

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

NONE

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

Felt tired, but made myself get out and walk even just two-three houses down the street and back. I built up to around the block quickly and now I do 1-2 miles a day.

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

First week I slept a lot. 2nd week I did more things, was able to drive...now at 4 weeks, I am back to work!

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

2 - 3 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.

The only things I have trouble with are white meet chicken and ham. Rotisserie chicken legs are great! Egg salad is great. I have learned to like yogurt (Yoplay (sp) Apple Turnover-LIGHT is really good)

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

was sort of sluggish, but is getting better each day

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

Initially was on 2 tums/day and 2 kids chewable vitamins. Now I take Calcium Citrate and Centrum daily, and Vitamin B12 injection once a month.

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?

so far no side effects, just some pain after eating white meat chicken and ham. Pain lasts about 1 hour, feels better after vomiting. Heat on stomach helled pain end sooner.

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

the nurses in the hospital!

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

Support group with my doctors office

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

have several small ones, all healed up, but slightly tender still!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Got stuck at 25#, but seem to be loosing a little again!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no