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

Through my ob-gyn doctor because this is and was my last resort since I have fractured disks in my back that need to be repaired but it is not possible with all the weight.

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

Be persistant...Have all team members write letters to the insurance company stating that the surgery is medically necessary.. It will payoff in the end

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

Scarry... Write a list of questions down on paper that you would like answered and ask if there is any new information available

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My selfeesteem... I wanted to look and feel better for myself and no one else

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I let Dr.Howell decide since he was the expert and I have no regrets

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?

It is natural to have fears but don't let them rule you... Set your mind on the postive outcome of the surgery and go from there

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?

My friends tried to talk me out of the surgery but I told them that it was medically necessary for my back so they have become very supportive of me...

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

tiring because they keep getting you up for walking and blood pressures-- I spent 4 days in the hospital. Seemed like some of the staff really didnt want to work with a bypass patient. The most helpful thing for me was to have my own bathrobe because the hospital ones don't cover and r very cold

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

none really except the iv filtrated my vien so they couldn't start another one because I have bad viens so it was fun dealing with pain until they started giving me liquid pain medication

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 excited because I would soon be lighter on my feet and as surgery day approached I Became more neverous to a point where I DIDN'T THINK I could go through with it but I am glad I DID GO THROUGH IT AND WOULD DO IT AGAIN

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

Lots of rest because I came home with the gastric tube still in and staples so it didn't let you do much but rest and keep the feet up to keep swelling down. No one can do to much because the effects of the surgery are still in your system and the food schedule is critical

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

Over 100 miles-- I had tube and staples removed by my family doctor which was fine.

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 first few weeks it was alot of cream soups-yogurt-jellos all dibetic of course because this is like the diet in the hospital--750 calories the first 2 weeks and then 600 following that-- no longer can have fried food -- sweets-- 1/03/02--foods don't like me at this point in time..have trouble with pain in stomach area when eating but still trying to get the necessary dietary intake to remain healthy and to continue the weight loss

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

The first few weeks level of engery is low but now that I am 3 months post operative the engery level is astounding ... I am able to walk longer distances and I feel better because I want to always be doing something..

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

Childrens chewable Multivitiam===Vitiain B12 as well and Calcium since milk no longer agrees with me

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?

constipation was bad for the first 2 weeks...Still not able to sleep very well but they tell me that will get better.. Sometimes still get pain in the stomach area == deep breathing excerises have helped me a great deal as well as walking and listening to music

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

the first 2 weeks with the tubes and staples in because you can't do much ==can get comfortable to sleep or sit or anything else..

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

THERE IS NONE IN MY AREA

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

IT LOOKS LIKE A RAILROAD TRACK FROM MY BREASTBONE DOWN TO MY BELLYBUTTON -- SORT OF KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A BIG SCAR BUT THAT IS OK BECAUSE IT HAS MADE ME A NEW PERSON.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Sometimes I ask myself was it really worth the pain to do this and I get the same answer all the time==YES== Depression took a hold of me in early december but am trying to recover from that...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am receiving more compliements on my looks because people notice the weight is gone and that makes me feel good and I realize that surgery was a success