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

One of my grandma friends daughter had it done. She looked great and still does. Then more and more Friends started having it done.

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

It just took a matter of time. Waiting patiently. My insurance only once asked for additional infomation.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I need to be healthy for my kids and at the age of 36 I am starting to have problems that i don't want to get worst.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I Still don't know which one he is doing.

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 do have some fears and that is to be normal with something like this. But I'm reading up on this all the time and the message board is great.

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 family is okay with it. It's my boyfriend family that keeps saying they don't want me to have it and also if you only watch what you eat. At Easter I told them my date. They didn't have much to say about intill after I left. Oh well It's for me and my kids.

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

I have not told my supervisor, but I'm sure others have. I'm off on medical leave right now for edema in both my feet.

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

My stay at the hospital was execellent. I only had problems with one rude nurse (who wasn't even my nurse). Other than that the patient care there is wonderful. The staff are great.

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

I did get an incisional infection at about 6 weeks out. The Dr had to cut it open and let it drain. I am now at almost 3 months out and it has completely healed. I also had to have the bartuim test again for I been having dry heaves at night. It showed up that everything is good and that I just have alot of extra acid in my stomach at night. So the Dr put me on some anticids to help with that.

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

The first week home I felt like shit, Very very sore. It got better as each day went by. I fell to the ground at about 1 1/2 weeks out. I thought I had caused some major injuries. But thank god I didn't.

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

Alot of people thought i was trying to do too much on the 2 day home i had a Dr appointment for myself and another one for my son. one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I went to mine first then I went grocery shopping then I went home for a while. Then onto my son appointment. The next day I was hurting. So I probably did too much too soon.

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

My Dr office is an 1 hour away. The hospital is 1 1/2 hours away.

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 first week home clear liquids(liquids you can see through). Day 7-20 Full Liquids (liquids you can't see through). Day 21-34 Pureed Foods (baby food consistency). Day 35-41 Soft Foods (foods that have no hard peices). Day 42 and on Regular foods.

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

My mother and I started walking soon after I got home we worked our way up to 2 miles, now we are walking any where from 2-4 miles a day

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

I take 2 one a day with iron from Rite Aid

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 started having dry heaves at about 6 weeks out and come to find out just extra stomach acids.

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

I do go to a support group meeting once a month. It is very helpful. You learn so much by going and just listening to other peoples stories.

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

My scar is that bad. When i ended up with the infection and he had to cut it open to drain I thought oh no a bigger scar there. The Dr told me it wouldn't be but I didn;t beleive him. Guess what it isn't that bad

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have now lost 54 pounds and I feel great.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have alot of people noticing me now than before. My ex-husband has even made a comment or two.