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

Other people I know had it and the tv had advertisements. My first impression was it was a drastic step that I wasn't ready for

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

I didn't have to much trouble with the insurance company because I was so heavy and my bmi was 50, I also had high blood pressure, asthma, fibromylia, and was boardline diabetic.

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

I went to a seminar and then met with a PA first. They made me feel special like I was the only patient, I would reccomned people to write down questions and have someone go with them to help remember the details

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health was getting worse and I want to be around for my grandchildren. I read a dr's note where he discribed me a morbidly obese female who is cronily ill and looks much older than her stated age. I didn't want my grandchildren to remember me this way

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't like the idea of having to go back for adjustments and I understood that the bypass was more effective.

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 didn't have any real fears, I had confidence in my surgeon and had faith that God would watch over me and guide the surgeons hands. I had alot of people praying for me and this kept me confident

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?

Everyone was very supportive and understanding. My family was glad I finally going to serious about my weight loss and get a healthier lifstyle. I still have lots of support

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

I am unemployed

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

My stay at the hospital was very supportive. The nurses were always willing to answer any questions and I never felt alone. The most important thing I brought was warm slippers because my feet were always cold.

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

I had a hard time keeping food down, Ive had to have scope test done twice so they could remove the scar tissue and dilate the opening

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 felt terrable the first few weeks after I started to eat solid food but I just reached out to others that had the surgury and they helped me adjust

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

The first few weeks your diet is limited to just fluids and they easy to get down. I was given liquid pain medication and that helped alot. People should expect pain and exaustion, drinking fluids in small amounts helps.

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

20 miles,

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.

the first weeks was clear liquids, then full liquids for two weeks. Then came soft foods in small amounts. Rice, pasta, bread, and steak are off limts. I am now just eating very little at a time and the most important thing to remember is to eat slowly and chew alot

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

I was able to do almost anything I wanted except lift over 10lbs and I needed to take a nap every afternoon

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

a muti vitamin for baratric patients, these are chewable but I'm not very good at remembering them

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 and vomiting were the worse and they continue if I dont eat slowly enough or try and eat too much

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

not being able to eat whatever I want when I go out to a resturant

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

right now I just have the online support group. I do however still belong to TOPS that I go to every week

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

three small scars yes

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Ive seemed to have slowed down with my weight loss, only 1lb this week but I also start exercising alot more so I could be gaining musle weight

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I can't get use to everyone telling me how great I look and how proud they are of me