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

I've found about bariatric surgery a couple of years ago and was very interested in it but thought to myself it would be something I could never afford.

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

My experience with insurance was fine, you just have to make sure that you ask the right questions when purchasing insurance to make sure it's one that will cover the procedure and finding out what the criteria you have to meet so that you have no problems when your doctor request authorization for procedure.

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

I was answered all my questions and felt confident with surgeon because he explained it all to me in terms I understood and wasn't left with any doubts. People can get the most out of their meetings by researching the doctor on his website and researching the many bariatric weight loss methods and just writing down any questions that you feel need to be addressed at your consultation. People should also attend a free seminar if the doctors office offers one, that way you have an opportunity to meet the doctor and other people like you that are interested in bariatric weight loss.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

All the information that I received on bariatric weight loss help me understand the process and finally decide that this would be the way to go as far as trying to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon help me choose which procedure would be the best one that would work for me. I was confident in his decision and didn't feel pressured to have one or the other.

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 never been put under so I didn't know how I was going to react to anesthesia or if I'd even wake up. I was really confident with my surgeon so went into surgery feeling great and just put myself in God'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?

Everyone was very supportive in my decision and where behind me 100%.

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

My employer was supportive in my decision. I was only out for 1 day which was the day of my surgery.

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

I didn't stay in a hospital, my procedure was done at an outpatient surgery center and was released to go home that very same day.

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

I just had some pain after surgery but was prescribed medications and my symptoms went away.

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 nervous and excited all at the same time. I knew I would be fine but because I'd never been put under was worried that I wouldn't be able to be put under or that I wouldn't wake up. All my pre-op studies came out just fine and I met with Dr. Liu and the anesthesiologist and the assured me I would be just fine, and I was.

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

Well when I got home I thought I was going to be wonder woman and be able to attend to all my normal mom duties but I wasn't. Expect to be a little sore and tired but that's it so take it easy. The day after I was sore but was able to shower and resume normal mom stuff, just had help with carrying my 7mo. old because she moves around and was afraid she was going to kick me. The 2 wks. after surgery I've been fine and feel fine. Like I never had surgery. Feel great and doing just fine!

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

About a 30min to 45min drive depending on traffic. I would say about 15miles.

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 2 wks. I could only have liquid foods such as broths, non-fat milk, protein shakes, and diluted juices. I've just started introducing semi solid foods like, tuna, scrambled egg whites, don dairy cottage cheese, non dairy yogurt, pureed fruits and vegetables, hot cereals. This will continue for the next 2 wks. I've been able to eat all of the above and don't feel restricted because I'm eating everything that I'm suppose to be eating and how it should be prepared.

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

My activity level was just decreased for a bit the day of my surgery and the day after. The days that followed I was back to doing what I normally would do.

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

I take a chewable multivitamin from a company cld. Bariatric advantage. They taste great! They come in all sorts of flavors and are easy to take since they practically dissolve in your mouth.

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 didn't have but mild burning sensation associated with pain after surgery for about a week but was prescribed pain medications and I was fine.

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

Just having to take pain medications to deal with my pain. I'm not one that likes to take medications but I had to this one time. I only took them for 2 days so I was fine.

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

I don't have support group just yet because I'm just 2 wks. post op and I'm following up with my surgeon for the time been. I have an appt. in a couple of weeks and will discuss it with him at that time.

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

I have no more scars they've gone away and you can't even see them anymore.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When I was in my 2 wk. post of I hit a sm. plateau because I caught myself eating the same things. Changed it up a little bit and now I'm back on track.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No why should they it's still me. Everybody in my family and where I work at have been supportive and are behind me 100%.