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

My friend Val had it done. Well I met her after she had it done. She was already thin. She answered all my noisy questions. I was interieged but at the same told her that was so extreme. I even said I couldn't do that! Then the next year my doctor said I should consider this surgery gastric bypass because it would take away my acid reflux problem and help with my weight, which at the time he had me taking Adipex(a diet pill) which didn't work. I was totally in a bubble at that time. So I started researching the surgery. My friend gave me some info and I used this website and others upon making my decision.

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

I was blessed with good insurance. I had them put in my request and was approved within days. Didn't have to go through loops to get approved

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

I went to a seminar he gave on the surgey and was very impressed with the seminar it was held at the Chapman medical seminar and it was very informative.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to be healthier. I wanted to feel comfortable with myself. I didn't want to wind up getting cancer of the esophagus from my severe acid reflux. I wanted to live longer basically.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Actually the doctor did. I just decided to have it done lap instead of open because I imagined the afterpain and decided my recovery would be less painful with five small holes intead of a big cut down my stomach.

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?

As for the surgery itself. I didn't fear that. I have a strong faith in God and I knew there was a chance I could die. I had my gallbladder removed 7years proir and had the same risk instilled in me. I look forward to being at peace one day. Just not today.

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 family and friends were not very happy with me and tried repeatily to talk me out of it. Not all of them just most of them. I had some problems after which are typical and I was blessed that none of them did the "I told you so"! thing. Time heals all wounds. I am loved and if I wasn't then nobody would care what the heck I do. So I took their concerns as a blessing that I am so loved.

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

Dont have one.

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

Well I was in the hopsital 5 days for the surgery, and in and out of the hospital like 16 days after from having some complications. Chapman medical hospital is a very good place. Good nursing staff.5stars all the way around.

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

Yes. I had a few strictures one severely tight stricture and some fluid in my lung. My acid reflux lingered even worst after for a few months which made me feel nuts because I thought I wouldn't ever have it again. But it has subsided. Thank the Lord. I just prayed alot and had alot of family and friends praying for a speedy recovery and no more complications. God works miracles everyday!

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 didn't really have anxiety once I got my date. I just wanted to stay strong physically and spiritually to recover quickly to be there for my family.

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

Oh Geez, I needed to move. I was blessed with my mom and husband who were there 100% along with my kids. They catered to me every second but I needed to take control like 2 days home. I was already laid up on the hospital for 5 days. I'm the kind of person that has to force myself to just not be babied. I am very strong willed and had to become independant which drove my husband nuts. If you let yourself feel overwelmed and weak (which you will obviously feel that way) its gonna be a slower recovery. Don't pick anything heavy up or vacum but the more you move the more you'll feel better.

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

A few cities. About an hour drive time. As for the aftercare it is hard for me to go to the support groups over their so I come here to this website and talk to some friends who had the surgery and friends that didn't.

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.

Honestly I couldn't even eat anything. I puked on everything. I'm gonna be 10 months and still to this day one day I can eat an egg and the next Im puking it up. It is like that with everything, I guess as time comes I'll be more able to tolerate things, everyones different I have friends who eat whatever they want and their fine, We're all different so don't let one persons problem be yours.

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

a 2. I was not very energetic at all.

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

Liquid vitamins(centrum), liquid iron, liquid calcuim, and I get 2 b-12 complex shots 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?

WEll the nausea is the worst and I am still experiencing that. I still do the dumping thing. I lost alot of hair but it's slowing down. It was falling out all the time the first 5 months I shed like a freakin cat.

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

Having strictures after surgery. A tightening of my esophagus opening, that was not good.

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

This website and friends.

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

Their 5 small 1/2 inch scars spread over my abdomen. Which have faded except the one on the top which I think has some scar tissue as it is raised and hardened.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Haven't really had one it's slowed down in numbers but still coming off. Actually I wish I could level off. My weight in medical terms I'm still overweight, but I feel and look good in my opion.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Sometimes yes which saddens me!