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

on the 6 o'clock news. i was very interested and thought it might be just what i needed.

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

my insurance gave their approval right away so it was really no problem.

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

he made me feel very comfortable and explained everything in detail. i was very impressed.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

my blood sugar level was getting higher, i had a constant yeast infection, and i thought that i would die at an early age.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

took a look at my life style and my emotions and decided rny was the only way to go.

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 had no fears, my fear of dying from diabetes outweighed my fear of surgery.

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?

some were shocked, until i explained to them that my health was on a downhill run and that i needed some drastic help.

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

my stay was very comfortable. i was there from tues. until fri. i would bring a robe with the arm split so that you can get up and walk with the iv.

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

i had an ulcer 3 months post op. i had a scope done and went on nexium and sucralfate and it has cleared up.

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 started feeling excited. i also started looking at clothes in the catalog and thought i could buy that and look good.

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

the incision was painful and crushing the vicodin and other pills was awful. you are not really hungry so food wasn't any temptation.

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

i live only 25 miles from the hospital.

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.

absolutely no sugar or milk products. the best thing i found was watermelon, it was sweet and gave me added fluids. my first real meal (other than pureed) was spaghetti and it was pure heaven. i took real small bites and chopped it up real fine.

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

the first week or so my activity level was getting up and letting the dogs outside. after the initial pain of the incision went away i increased my activities and got outside myself and did some gardening, and went to the mall and to the spa.

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

multi vitamin, and caltrate.

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?

when i had my ulcer, the vomiting was the worse. as far as dumping goes, i have IBS so the diaherria was helpful.

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

explaining to people why i needed this and why i couldn't lose the weight by diet and exercise.

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

i have no support group and really don't need one for myself, but if someone asks me for my opinion about their surgery or if they are contemplating the surgery i will be more than supportive.

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

my scar is still a little touchy with some fabrics, and still kind of lumpy. but it is what i expected. it sort of goes with my hysterectomy scar and so i have a full scar down my abdomen.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

haven't reached any plateau yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, and it kind of upsets me that when i was heavy people don't notice you. but now they do.