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

I thought it was great and wanted to find out how to get it. I knew it was for me. I watched a few friends and decided it was safe.

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

I tried but my husbands company had an exclusion put in their policy because they thought it was too risky of a surgery. So we had to pay for it ourselves. I would sugest they try to see if their insurance would pay first.

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

It was quite interesting. My doctor is very informative you need to ask lots of questions if you don't know much about it, I was very pleased about the amount of information my doctor gave us, He I think went above and beyond. He even gives you a history of this and other surgeries like it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I talked to enough people who had done it and felt what did I have to loose. I was living in Hell like I was.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I talked to my doctor, and also I wanted to go all the way. And it was what my friends had had.

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 had none. I figured I didn't have and medical problems except the weight so I thought I would do ok. Plus I researched my doctor and was confident he knew what he was ,He had done this surgery to a friend of mine 10 years pryer to mine, So I'm sure hes done quite a few in between.

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?

Oh my family has been great, They would like to have it too. They are now working on loosing too.We are doing it together. They are my great supporters.

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

My stay was so short I hardly remember a thing, I know the doctor wants you up as soon as you come out of anestheisia, That way you won't get blood clots, he sent me home the following evening. I was doing ok. I had no problems, I still was quite high from the meds, Clothes to go home in loose clothes they should tell you what to bring. Ask.

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

No I had no problems, My daughter had had a g tube years ago so I knew how to handle that. All the discomfort was worth it.

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 have a friend thats a massage therapist she came and massaged my back everyday! That helped me alot my back hurt some. I also had some issues with my family having so much food, It still looked good even though I couldn't have it. I was kind of mad and jealous of them but that went away soon.I had to keep in mind why I had the surgery. And My family chooses to eat the way they do I can't change them, At least not so fast, I'm bringing better foods to them. I knew things were not going to be a piece of cake, So I prepared myself for it.

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

Kind of confusing, Just getting used to eating different, working on getting enough protein in and water is hard plus trying to do what you are supposed to and hoping you are doing it right. It will get better. Plus a saving grace is having Obesityhelp.com helps.

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

The hospital is 45 minutes from my house. So I didn't have to go far.

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.

Well for me carbonated drinks of any kind, no sugar, no pasta, rice and very little bread only if its toasted. oh and pork is harder for me to handle.making sure you chew your foods good.

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

well I have horses so I have been doing more with them. i found myself walking more.

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

I take multi vitamin, Iron, B12,Calcium (tums),biotin, Coq10

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 had very little Vomiting or dumping I have only done it 4 times since I had surgery but I have had major hair loss, It started in about month 5 and has gone on since. I just hope it will stop soon. I also stay away from things I heard will make me dump.

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

I guess getting used to the g tube for a month, or getting a sick feeling after you eat.

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

obesityhelp.com, And my family.

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

not bad worth it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several, But I know they are expected so I just hang in till it goes down again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

oh yea alot. they seem to be proud of me. and I get looked at a little more than before.