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

Thru all my dr's. I thought it was a very drawn out process, now I realize why. You have to get your head together and do this. Realize what is going to be for you. Do all the research that you can find. I knew more then they could tell me thru the studies that I had done. I was scared..... But I knew I had to do it for me.

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

I didnt have a problem getting aproved with my Health Care Provider as all the referrals and etc was done. But Dartmouth Hosptial in NH has their own critera they submitt to the insurance for the final approval and im still waiting on that. My pcp was very encouraging and she went to bat so to speak and submitted all the information that needed to make this surgery approval a sucess for me. As far as other people work with your pcp, they are their for you. Also call and find out if you have been approved an what is the approval for?

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

My first visit was good, he scared me due to myself having blood clots in the past which now I realized that he was telling me for my own good.He was very sufficient, and explaining everything that I already knew. Also he had smiled which I knew that he had a bed side manner to him... Which means it tells me he's is there for me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When the dr's told me that I would be bedridden at the age of 55 which now im 42, I cant do that to myself. Also I may have the possibility of dying. I have high cholesterol and sleep apnea. Tired of all the Pain, in my body wanted to be pain free. Wanted more out of life then what their is now.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didnt decide it was under the discretion of the four surgeons that was on my medical team.

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?

That I would have a blood clot and die. Read all the possiblities of having it, and also write down all the pros and cons of having it or not having it done.

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?

Family not saying much, just that they want me to make sure this is what I wanted even though im going thru with it. Friends = well they dont really know what is going to happen till they see me. Sure they are there but not the same as in someone special in your life. To make this work and support for U. I have found more friendly people on this site.

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

She was surprised but not to much. They knew I am in alot of pain and struggling with weight issues. They are all for me. Now that they have realized that im going ahead and doing this. They are supporting me and trying to keep me in a positive attitude.

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

I was there for 4 days, the most important thing to bring is your toiletries such as deodorant, brush, comb, things like that. The stay in the hospital was good after I got up and walked around a bit, my hospital where I stayed didnt rotate me side to side, so since that happened I have a sore on my back, and they had ruined my cpap machine they put water in where the motor is duh!! good way to get electrocuted lol. But over all the people were really nice.

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

No complications what so ever with the surgery. I did have alittle bit of nausea after. An also a severe headache while I was in the hospital. But that wasnt because of the gbs. It was from the anthesia

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

What I did was how to deal with the anxiety was write a journal down on the computer just to get the feelings off my mind. It sure helped me. When I got my surgery date I was very happy wanted to jump up and down, and felt that I wanted to conquer the world.

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

When you first come home from the hospital you need to have 24/7 care. The person that takes care of you make sure they crush your meds, make the puddings, jello, crystal lite, premade ahead of time so that if you want to do some things on your own you can. You should try to do as much as you can for yourself, but dont be afraid to ask for help that is what those people are their for dont allow them to baby you. The more you exercise and do things on your own the quicker your recovery will be. EXERCISE is the major key.

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

1 hr away

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 thing that I cant handle is Scrambled eggs no matter how I cook them.I cant eat tough meats such as pot roast, or cant eat regular gravy anything that has alot of fat in it, no sugar either. I have tried pb fudge but it made me dizzy and nauseated you will learn what u can or can not do, very quickly. At 6 months I have found out that I cant tolerate, milk that much alittle bit at a time but a glass no I become nauseated. Also diet ice cream makes my bowels loose. The only red meat that I can tolerate is lean ham nothing else. Guess im a vegetarian huh lol...

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

Activity level was moderate not too much cause you will get tired quick. I'm now 6wks post op and im up to a mile each day it's so awesome being able to walk and enjoy life as what god has intended for us to have, im very pleased. At 6 months I walk a mile a day which is excellent compared to me walking 10ft with a cane.

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

Calcium Carbonate Citrate cherry flavor chewables, B12 (sublingual), flintstones complete, ferrous sulfate iron 50 mg.

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?

After I got home I had noticed that I only sleep 6hrs per night, but during the day I try to lay down for an hr. That seems to work out well for me. I have alot of nausea if I eat to fast or eat too much. Food doesnt taste very good to me right now no matter what I eat. Im just going with the flow as that is concerned, maybe it will change maybe not. I had thick hair now I have thin hair yes hair loss not really liking it but what can you do, im taking Nioxin shampoo and conditioner to try to slow it down and also up my protein as much as I can.

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

Coming out of the anesthesia which took me a day n half. Plus the headache from the spinal. The nausea after the first day of the surgery was kind of unbearable.

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

My after care was my boyfriend he was a big help, supportive, caring, my other friends were their but not as much as he was. You are going to have days that you feel that you are worthless, you need to have this kind of support from somewhere. Get some sort of support group. I for one didnt have any other then my boyfriend due to not having any groups in my area. :(..I wish I had its very important for your self worth and your new journey coz it does get rough..

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

I have 30 Staples, that is because I had a umbillical hernia that had to be removed. My surgeon did a wonderfull job as far as the scar itself is concerned. 7 months post op and my scar is pink but its alittle raised from the skin. My scar has also keloid which means that it has overly grown skin on it. It's not a thin line actually im almost 4 yrs post op and it still hurts...My scar keloid..

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am 6wks post op and have met my first plateau for now 2wks. Just seems that...that scale doesnt move. I know that I have to work on getting more water, protein, and exercise in. About 6 months I had another plateau, seems like forever to not get rid of it. But the next time you weigh yourself its dropped off numerous amount of weight at one time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

God yes, its's amazing how people look at you and just smile. Alot have complimented me on the weight loss that they have seen already and the baggy clothes of course. Co workers are very concerned as too how much I eat im sure it's a change for them also. Some people that I run into dont know who I am an start to say do I know you? But I forget that its just me, an since they havent seen me in a few months or yrs I have changed drastically... An lovin every minute of it.