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

I had heard of people who had had it done and thought that they had taken the easy way out. I also thought that I would never get to that point where I would have to have surgery.

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

I had no problems getting approved because I had enough comorbid ailments. My advice is to get educated in all aspect of surgery. There is so much information and so many people willing to help.

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

Very informational. I would suggest patients to take a note pad and pencil for notetaking. They give you so much information, it's had to keep it straight.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

MY HEALTH!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I felt that the lapband was too intrusive.

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 was scared to have the surgery, but I was more scared not to have the surgery. I knew I was headed for the grave quickly.

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 didn't want to have to defend my decision, so I chose not to tell many people other than my close friends. When I did tell my mother and my sisters, they were very supported. I still have not told many of my co-workers.

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

I did tell my supervisor because of the time off, she was very supportive.

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 3 days. The hospital staff was really good. The first day right after surgery was the worst, but everything else was pretty smooth. The most important "thing" I brought with me was my husband. He helped me walk and go to the bathroom when the staff was busy.

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?

Other than that first day, I felt pretty good. I didn't even feel different. I often wondered if they had done anything to me. I think I was really lucky in this aspect.

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

The worst part was fatigue. I was really tired, and found it hard to exercise. Luckily I didn't have to work for a few months so I was able to really take it easy.

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

My surgery was in a different city about an hour away. I was nice in that it forced my husband to stay in the hospital with me.

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.

Protien shakes and broth made up my menu for a few weeks. After my first dr.'s appointment I started on mushy foods. After four weeks, I could eat almost anything except for food high in sugar.

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

I was very tired so I didn't have a whole lot of activity. Four months later I finally feel energetic. It's taken a while.

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

I take a multi vitamin, calcium, and b-12.

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 still dump when I eat foods high in sugar. I am just now starting to lose my hair.

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

I haven't figured that one out yet.

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

The hospital where I had surgery has a support group that meets once a month. Since I don't live in the same city, I have also joined a support group in my home town.

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

A bunch of little scares.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am four months out and my weight loss has slowed down and I have had some plateaus but I'm still going down.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

After four months and 72 pounds, I am just now going back to work. Wow. Yes people are treating me differently.