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

Thru the internet and my first impression was "Oh my god! How can someone do this?" I was scared to death but in another way...attracted to this possibility getting out of that circle called obesity...

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

Living in Luxemburg I had no problem at all getting approval from my insurance. We do have to go thru certain steps to get approval...see different doctors, see a psychologist and nutritionist and if the whole team approves you the insurance will pay!

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

My surgeon is Dr Martine Goergen, she is a woman and I felt good from the first moment I saw her. I had complete confidence in her and she really talked very open about the whole procedure and every step. She informed me about possible side effects and she gave me a concrete view of my future with or without surgery. It was extremly positive!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that this was my last possibility for a new life...for a life again...

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Together with my surgeon based on different facts, my diability, my past medical history and my eating habits...

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 really scared because I have 4 children that are still young! But all went fine...so now I would like to say to people. Educate yourself! Read about it! Join forums and message groups...get informed. Of course there is a risk with every surgery...but MY risk of dying at a young age due to extreme obesity was alot higher... Everyone should take there time and decide whenever they are ready! But it is really worth it!!!

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 husband was really scared to loose me. But all of the rest of my family and my friends where really supportive. After the surgery everyone was there to assist me and suport me emotionaly...and I could not have done or said anything different than the way I have done it...

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

I am working free lance so I was the only one deciding but I was back to work the day I left hospital anf elt fine...I could take a rest any time I needed it

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

It was all perfect...very supportive team! I entered the hospital on a monday evening...had surgery on the following day and left on friday morning so only a couple of days.

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

Not really...I was just suffering from a very bad headache but as soon as I was able to get up and walk it got better!

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 a bit exhausted and felt tired for quite a while besides this I was in a perfect condition...

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

Expect to be tired, expect to feel weak du to the dramatic weight loss at the beginning your body needs more rest than you might think. Get outside whenever you can..oxygene is great for you!

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

only about a 30 minutes drive...so I guess I was spoiled...same for aftercare

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.

I was on a liquid and pureed diet for about 3 weeks and slowly started eating about everything afterwords...just a few bites..but avoided sugar completly for about 7 months! I could eat about everything besides bread and pasta...this really clumped in my stomach. I did have problems with milk as well.. I could see one improovement on a 3 month basis...so hang on there and dont loose courage..if there is something you can not eat...simply try it a few weeks later..

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

very low as I felt tired...and exhausted really fast...so I took my time and slowly increased my activity level

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

Proteinshakes, Centrum and Calcium on a irregular basis. My blood was checked on a regular basis and I am lucky because my diet is very healthy and so my body still absorbs all the necessary nutrients thru normal food..so far

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 experienced vomiting 3 times at the beginning...allways my own fault...eating to fast and not chewing enough... Dumping was terrible..thought I would dy! But it was a very educational experience ;)) Hair loss was dramatic and started about 4 months after the surgery..I was almost bald because I have thin hair from the beginning...but it all grew back after about 7-8 months. I still dump even 21 months Post surgery...but it is fine...reminds me that my bypass is working :-)

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

To overcome my fear...to take the final decision to have the surgery done...besides this I would say the hairloss...

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

aftercare on a regular basis with my surgeon and personal doctor Internet Support groups and a group of friends that had surgery. It was extremly important to me to have this backup support, beeing able to call someone and ask "stupid questions" knowing I am not alone out there and others experiencing the same things...knowing all was normal ;-)

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

Just a few little spots...no big deal ;-)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Had not one single plateau...I constantly lost weight and still loose weight even though I am 21 months post surgery...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes...alot...I am a woman again! I do not get the attention anymore that any superobese person gets..I feel accepted and I gained my selfconfidence back