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

My Rheumatologist referred me to my bariatric office. I have always been interested in it but was scared of the surgery. My husband had his surgery first so it helped my fears.

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

It actually didn't go to bad. I did have to go through a lot for them to approve it but I didn't mind. They did however, make my family doctor re-write all his stuff because they said it was enlegible..I thought that was the point of being a physician, not being able to read their writing lol.

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

He was very caring and supportive. Answered all our questions and even some we did not think to ask him. Do a lot of research on the surgery you want.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have been obese all my life. I have a lot of medical issues that make it hard to lose weight. I knew if I did not do something now I would never have the chance to have a baby. I checked into it about 10 yrs ago but was too scared to do anything about it then.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By researching them all. Plus it helped me decide when my husband had the same surgery 4 months before I did.

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?

The only fear I had was waking up during the surgery. I was not scared about anything else.

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?

We did not tell many family and friends and still have not. We knew a lot would not support or like the idea so we kept it to ourselves. But the ones that do know have been very supportive.

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

We was both already disabled and not working at the time of surgery.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

It was very informative. Our doctor we picked to do our surgery was actually the speaker for the first seminar. That was when my husband decided he wanted to do it also. We are very glad we attended, our lives will never be the same again.

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

My stay was great and was very well taken care of. I was there from Monday till Thursday afternoon. Be sure to bring your own personal items the hospital ones suck lol.

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

NO I did not.

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 excited and happy. Only fear I had was waking up during surgery.

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

It was very hard for me to drink my fluids so I had to get fluids about 3 times in the first month and a half. Just take well care of yourself and do your best to follow what the drs orders are. They are very important!

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

2 Hours. It did not really affect my 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 cannot stomache anything with Asparteme or other fake sugers in them. So I really have to read labels to keep the sugar and carbs low. Other than that Ive been able to tolerate everything I have tried so far.

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

I am still pushing myself to get more activity. I have had a lot of pain in the last 2 months but I also have fibromyalgia.

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

B-12, Vitamin D with calcium, Multi-vitamin with Iron.

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 am only 2 months out right now but I have had nausea a lot. I have only vomited twice because I ate to quickly.

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

Thinking its not going to work. Some days I cry because I wonder if I did the right thing or not. But each day gets better.

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

We haven't been able to go to any groups since surgery.

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

I have about 4 or 5 tiny little scars. They do not bother me I had the same ones from gallbladder surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have made it under the 300 mark, YAY!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really but I'm only 2 months out.