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

A Co worker had the surgery. I was scared but knew I needed it.

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

Insurance approval was no problem for me due to the medical conditions I had.

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

It was wonderful. Ask questions even if they seem unimportant. They aren't!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Everything, my past. Growing up being obese, having no success regardless of what I did. The more I gained, the worse my health got.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Surgeon.

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?

Oh so many to explain. I even wrote a will before surgery. Just talk to your loved ones. Keep them involved. Explain to them what will happen, what can happen. Weigh the benefits and the risks.

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?

Not to good. Most were against it and still are but it was my choice. I do not have much support. Join a site and make friends like OH!

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

He really did not say much. I was out of work from 2/25/08 to 4/11/08.

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

St. Lukes was wonderful!!!! I was there 2 days. You don't really need to bring much. Take your personal toiletries, slippers, PJ's. Take the time to rest while you are there.

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

Yes, Back problems and now an Ulcer. I am currently still dealing with them.

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

A little sad. I missed eating. I did not feel very well. I was very nauseous. Medication and OH friends helped.

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

Eat only what you are supposed to!! Do not over do anything! Everyone is different, if something doesn't feel right, call the Dr!

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

20 miles tops.

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.

Couldn't eat: most Protein (but its the most important!) Milk, any kind of starch (bread, Macaroni)salad anything with sugar, Still can't eat: Milk, Pork, Tuna, Gravy Can now eat: A little bread, Macaroni, a little salad, sugar, I still have a hard time with any Protein love veggies and cheese popcorn! It took me 12 months to work my way up to these things and I just had to introduce them very slowly.

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

Really poor.

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

Biotin, Centrum chewable, Caltrate chewable, Vit. b, Vit. b-12, Omeprozale, Kerafate.

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 first 10 months Dumping started recently Hair loss still ongoing-Biotin, Nioxin Sleep disturbance still ongoing-Meds.

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

Feeling loss of energy, getting an Ulcer and headaches, excess skin.

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

None

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

Very Small, I am pleased.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, some say I look terrible, some say I look wonderful.