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

I really learned about it when I was 20 years old and I wanted to have it done then. Im glad that I didnt because I wanted it done for the wrong reasons. I just wanted to look better. At this time im 28 years old and Im married with 2 girls and I did it for my self. My health played a bigger part in it this time also.

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

I at first was seeing a different Dr. then the one that did my surgery and I was not approved. I was told that the Dr. was not sure that I could do this and make it work. I felt that I didnt have any where else to go and was very upset by that. I was also told that it would take months for that insurance to appove me. So I went to Dr. Buchwald at the Fairview UofM. I had all of my paper work from the other Dr. and I had typed a 3 almost 4 page letter to my insurance company. Dr. Buchwald told me that he would write a letter also and that I could hear from them soon. I took 3 days. I called the insurance company and asked them myself and in another 2 days I had the letter in the mail. I couldnt believe it. I would say to keep at them until they say yes.

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

I was very impressed by my Surgeon and his staff. I got to see him the first time that I was there. I had a list of things I wanted to know and also what my family members want to know and all the paper work about my blood test and any other tests I had had done in the last 6 months. Ask as much as you can and learn as much as you can about you Dr. and the surgery type you want to have. I feel that the this site really helped me do that.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had tryed everything else and this seemed like the best thing for me to do as the last hope of lossing the weight for good.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read as much as I could about all of the surgery type before I even talked to my Dr. I had the Gastric By-pass done and there were a few things that made me decide on that one. It had a lot to do with the things that I was eating.

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?

At first I was very worried about dying from the surgery and then I thought to myself that if I dont have this done I will not be here for much longer the way I was going. I think that you will just know if it is the right thing for you and I didnt let any one tell me any different.

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?

I have always had a ver good support system with mu family and friends. I would tell them all I had found out and I would keep telling them all the new things. I wanted them to ask what ever it was about the surgery and that really helped. I wouldnt have done anything differnt.

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

Im a stay at home mom. My husbands employer was very good about all of it and the time off my husband took after the surgery.

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

My stay was fine. Everyone there was great. I had very good care by the staff. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I had alot of things with me but I didnt need half of it. I would bring PJs and under clothes. I also had pads with and I did need them after surgery. I had a fan and my own blanket and pillow.

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

I had high blood preasure and high blood sugar and was in recovery for about 3 hours longer than normal but they got everything under control and I was sent to my room.

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

After I got the date, it seemed like forever. I was fine up intil the last week. I talked to my family and friends alot and the helped. I had the hardest time leaving my kids.

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

I thought about food alot after I got home. I wasnt too sure what I should and shouldnt eat at first. I went through the feelings of what did I do to myself and that has gotten alot better as the weeks go by. You will find out what you can and cant eat very fast. Take it slow and drink your water.

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

I was about 2 hours away from home to have surgery and it wasnt bad but going home was alittle hard. The ride home hurt when we would go over bumps.

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 am eatting more now that it has been 7 weeks. I cant eat bread or hamburger. I have tryed to stay away from pop and sugar. I am diabetic so I cant have sugar anyway. I am able to drink more water now. I havent had much trouble with food. I have gotten sick a few times I think from eatting too fast.

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

I didnt do much after I got home but in the last 3 weeks I have started to do alot more. Im back to doing the home work and starting to walk. I know that that has helped in the weight loss.

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

I take 2 chewable vitamins (childerns) and I take 2 vitamin B12 (500mg) 2 times a month.

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 still feel nausia sometimes. I havent had anything else happen to me.

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

For me it was the pain of moving around. I didnt sleep very well for about a week.

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

I had looked and looked for a support group before surgery and didnt find one but I was contacted by someone and I hope to be going to the first one in a week or two. I think that it is very important to have people to talk to about the things you are going through. This will be very helpful.

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

I havent had any problems with my scar. It doesnt look too bad at all. I wasnt sure in the first place what it would look like and Im happy with it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been lossing every week since surgery. Surgery was 1-22-01 and as of 3-13-01 I have lost 42 lbs. Sometimes I dont think that it is coming off fast enough but I keep lossing and that is the best part.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have a long way to go yet so I havent seen that part.