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

I have had friends and family that had the procedure

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

The bariatric surgery center arranged everything once I completed all that was requested.

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

He was charming and accepting

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

wanting to live as long as possible with the best quality of life

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I am not sure HOW one decides to make this kind of drastic life style change. I had to be in the right place in my life and fully in love with me.

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?

No real fear because there was no option for me. If I did not have the surgery my life was going to be short. I wanted more and now I am three month post op and feeling better all the time. The biggest hurled has been adjusting to and learn to eat differently.

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?

They were very supportive and encouraging. After surgery everyone has been very kind, considerate providing the emotional support that is necessary to get through this process.

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

I was off work about 3-4 weeks. I had non-related post-op complications. My employer was very supportive and gave me the time and schedule I needed to get and stay healthy

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

The staff were knowledgeable but once the surgeron was done I never saw him. I had a massive migraine that was treated with delauted. I tried to tell the doctor that Delauted did not work but he refused to use Demerol and visteral. He prescribed 2mg of the delauted every two hours until the pain eased. I became overdosed in 24 hours and quit breathing. Like I said after surgery he was not compassionate, understanding or practiced best medicine. He never call my pcp to consult about my history of migraine that I am aware. He did consult with a neurologist that four days later agreed I had a migraine.

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

The surgery was a piece of cake. I had no abdominal pain I think because of the spinal block they used. When I recovered enough to function from the migraine I was up and going home. I was in the hospital a week due to the headache not the surgery.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

ready to go. I had so much to get completed at work and home I did not have time for anxiety

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

I had someone with me for two weeks but was really doing everything my self. I rested a lot and was ready for work in four weeks.

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

2 and 1/2 hours. I had no after care from any health care professionals. I returned to the surgery center for 3-6-9 week check ups

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.

Liquids were the course of the day. I graduated to baby strained food when I came home from the hospital and now have to be very picky about what I eat. Fish, Chicken, beans primary for protein. I use tortillas for bread. I eat several times a day and work very hard at getting all the protein and fluids.

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

I was very ill from the migraine headache the first week so it put my recovery back about a week. Once I was back to work I was very tired often napping for an hour at lunch. Now 3 months out I am doing great.

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

I take Biotin, Pre natal vitiams and calicum citrate 2 times a day. My surgeon recommends that these be a staple for the rest of my life

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 have had some nausea, vomiting, hair loss and fainting episodes. I have regained my hair growth but still have episodes of nausea, vomiting and fainting. I cope by getting through, watching my protein intake and working hard on maintaining the fluid intake process

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

Looking in the mirror and seeing my Aunt. I never thought I looked like my Aunt until I lost weight. The most difficult is remembering that I can't eat as much as I use to at one setting. I continue to have to put portions back. "Right now 10 months out I am struggling taking the vitamins. I gag on them. It is all a head game.

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

Just this site

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

not bad. I have five 1 inch scars in various areas of my belly

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

non so far

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no. I retired shortly after surgery. My colleagues noticed the weight loss and were very supportive