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

I have been researching and the more i searched the more i new this was 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 only had to do required tests and then wait!i was approved after my first letter and was so excited!

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

I met with Dr.B and he was so kind!he took the time to look me in the eye when he spoke and answered all my 30 questions with no hesitation!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew i wouldnt make it to see my daughter walk down the isle ,so i made the choice to be healthy and happy!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I made the choice the night of the info session,I had it in my mind to do the lap -band but realized i was to heavy for it and it wouldnt give me the results i wanted,The D/s gave me the choice to still be able to eat what i like in moderation!

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 scared to death about dieing,I gave each my hubby and 2 kids a note telling them how much i loved them and thta i would always be there for them no matter what,I remember being in th eo/r before i was asleep and Dr.B winked at me and said you will be fine and thats all i remeber ,but waking up in my room and seeing my kids and hubby made all fears go away!

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 was so spupportive of the whole process,My brothers kept saying they liked me the way i am but knew i needed to do this for my health !

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

My boss was skeptical,because one of our other employees had gastric bypass and had severe complications following her procedure,After i was back to work and she saw how i was doing she was relieved!

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

My surgery was on monday morning and i went home on thursday afternoon,I had some nausea and vomitting issues ,and they wanted to keep them under control before i left! My cell phone was the most important ,many people calling me to see how i was!

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

No complications

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 wreck!I also quit smoking for the surgery so that mad eit harder on me! trying to get used to how things would be was nerve ending!but i got myself on Oh website and talked to the great people who had the same feeling i did and that helped!

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

My hubby and kids where home with me the first week and then back to school and work the second so i was kinda lonely being home,but i had everything i needed at my finger tips and they called every hour to see how i was,

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

I live in pottstown and we drove to Abington,.which is about 67 miles on the pa turnpike!

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.

Certain smells made me not wanna eat much ,I ate alot of scrambled eggs and broth,jello ,pudding freeze pops .I did craze foods i couldnt have but knowing the outcome of not eating those things made it better,I have a hard time with pasta,its just to heavy!

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

Slow and steady!

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

Vit,a,d,e,k, 2times a day 600mil vitD and 600calcium citrate 2 times day 500mil chewable vit C 2 times a day 500mil bioton centrum chewable 2 times a day

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?

Nausea is still a problem with me ,I am taking zofran daily when needed,protien make s me gag and that helps with getting it in! I have just started with hair loss and i am scared to go bald but its just hair and will grow back !

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

I havent had any worse parts yet

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

I go to monthly support meeting and chat with people on the Oh website so i have plenty of people to chat with that went thru what i went thru.

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

It actually smaller than i thought and its almost not even visible nor does it bother me at all!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I just recently lost 100 pounds and couldnt be more happy with myself!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice i get alot of looks from men now!