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

I found out about WLS through this site. I thought it would be too good to be true. This site is a godsend.

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

I had a good experience with my insurance. My advice would be know who you talk to, fax papers yourself, get copies of everything and most of all BE PATIENT!!

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

My surgeon was so friendly and upfront with everything. Find out if there is support group meetings and go to them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Just did. I felt good about the doctor and my insurance approved me for it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor decided. I did opt for LAP though.

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 feel I have a greater chance of dying or just being ill if I don't do something.Also, I am a christian. I have peace about this and I trust God will take care of me. I pray God will guide the surgeon's hands.

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 husband is very supportive of my decision. My mother not real happy about it. My sister wishes she could have it done too.

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

My boss is having it done also. She and I have been our own support team.

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

I had a wonderful stay in the hospital. I Just really needed my sleep clothes and robe. Maybe some socks. Take your shampoo and conditioner personal things .

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

My surgery was done LAP. It took 8 hours. 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 very excited. It seemed like it took forever. I had a lot to do to get ready for the surgery so that took a lot of my time up.

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

I went back to work at 1 week post-op. I was more sore than hurting. iI did not lift anything for about 3 weeks. I was tired at the end of the day.

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

My doctor and the hospital is 3 hours away. My ride home from the surgery was kinda painful. I soul have taken my pain medicine right before I left the hospital.

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 1st week home I was still on clear liquids and the 2nd week I started on some soft foods; cream of wheat, yogurt, puddings things like that. 3rd week I started on soft meats, cottage cheese, mashed vegies etc. Then I just started trying differant things.

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

Tired for a while. Take your vitamins it helpos with energy levels.

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

I take a b-12 pill cut in half, Centrum chewable and sometimes an iron pill.

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 just now noticing some hair loss at 3 months post-op.

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

The clear liquid diet.

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

Just my family. I do have a friend in the same town that had it done a few weeks after I did. We share stories.

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

I had it done LAP. I have 5 little scars and 1 little spot where the drain tube was. They look very good.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had 1 week where I didn't lose anything. So far no more plateus.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. Just telling how good I look.