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

My sister told me, I thought it was kinda cool that there was help for the unhealthy obese people, like myself.

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

It was pretty easy once I got the right insurance, blue/shield was great. Approval took 2 weeks, once I completed everything. Make sure yo do everything that is requested and there shouldn't be a problem.

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

Dr. Coates was very nice, and pleasant, well manored, and seemed to know what he was doing, and he was very encouraging, and comforting.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Having been diagnosed with typeII diabetes, and high blood pressure, and my feet hurting all the time.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I just researched as much as possible, and visited this forum and read peoples entries.

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 worried alot, but it was a choice for health, I feared all the complications, but I figured if I just did what i was told, after surgery and followed the plan both before and after, I knew I would do ok, and plus my husband supported me, with anything I wanted, he was there to hold my hand, all the way in.

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 mom, knows and my kids, and hubby, no I have not told my sisters, or other members, to personal, and I was not up to hearing there non support issues. What they don't know won't hurt them any. My husband has lost 16 lbs, eating what I eat, so he loves it. We have alot more fun together. I could not of asked for more support then from him, and my mom.

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

oh, umm my employer said I needed the surgery, or else I would'nt have a job I gained more weight..needless to say I don't work there anymore.

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

I liked my stay in the hospital, most nurses were ok, and I had a friend that had surgery two hours after me, so I had someone to talk to. I was in the hospital 2 days. Bring your own robe and slippers, and books toothbrush, hair brush, deodorant.

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

None

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 so nervous, I just talked to my husband, who listened and comforted me. I just talked to the family members who supported me.

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

OMG, I was so bloated, and sore, that I was actually questioning, what i had the surgery for, I was honestly miserible. But I realized that the hospital forgot to give me gasex pills, to help me, so once I got them, and the fluid started going away, I felt better by the second week. it took about three and a half weeks for me to start feeling normal again.

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

I travel 6 minutes from home.

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.

No bread, no beans, no carbs, no meat for like 4 weeks, no fruit for 3 weeks, no sugars, no sodas. I eat all that now expect for sugar, and the beans, and no sodas at all, I used to love to eat eggs, they were my favorite, now my stomach hates them. I can still drink milk though. HORRAY!!

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

i walk 3 times a week for about 20 minutes, and I use my Gazelle, about 10 minutes everyday/

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

Bariactric advantage is what I use

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?

no nausea at all, I vomited 2 times, and that was from meat getting stuck I think. no dumping at all, OHG, I am losing my hair at 4 months out.

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

the first two weeks was hell for me.

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

I just have some friends that have had it, and everyone is different, so it is still hard for me.

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

I have six scars on my belly only three are noticable, but small, hopefully they will fade as I have been told.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I think I am having one now, or so the P.A. or nurse says, I am losing weight to slowly for her likes, she makes me feel bad about my weight loss, my husband is mad at her, he is my up lifter.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Well our closest friends, say that I am melting away, and some of my hubby's friends are like watch out sexy, that is cool to hear, makes me feel good to know they notice.