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

My sister had the surgery. I thought she's not even that fat. I was scared & thought losing your life was a huge risk to take to lose weight.

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

was easy, you must meet the requirements of the insurance company. dont think they will bend the rules or make exceptions - they wont. I had to join weight watchers for 6 months to get the required documentation.

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

I heard all the information, the risks, the differnt types of options for surgery available. Have a list of questions ready for when you go in- your mind goes blank when absorbing the info you recieve.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided i had finally reached a point in my life when i knew doing it on my own terms wasnt working.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i saw the options & thought the lapband gave too much lee way on food. I wanted the laproscopic gastic bypass to totally MAKE me change my life & choices that have gotten me to 256 pounds.

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 was only scared of dying from anesthesa. i made notes for my mother, ex husband & daughter in case i were to die, they would know about everything they needed to. I knew the doctors at Barix were experts in their field. I was totally confident that the actual surgery would go ok. i would tell others to relax & know deep in side everything will be ok.

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 siblings & mother were happy for me , as my other sister had done it the year before they knew what to expect. My dad, daughter & ex husband were totally unsupportive & against the whole idea. (afterward they are ok with it, they were scared i would die from the surgery)

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

My co workers & employer hadnt really heard of the surgery before & i had to explain it to them. I told them 4- 6 weeks out ( i have a pretty strenuous job, i deliver heavy supplies, etc)

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

I was satisfied with my stay , a few of the staff were exceptional, Helen & Ian come to mind. I was there 4 days. i would say pack light. I brought things to do (like i was going to have free time! ha) , a pillow a bunch of crap i never even touched. I would say bring a couple magazines, toiletry items, slippers & sleepwear. Other than that- leave it at home! every 2 hours you are doing breathing test, vitals or walking the halls.

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

i couldnt pass gas. i had an enema, a suppository ( have never had either in my life before! ) i cried, stayed an extra day & 3 injections of Regulin did the trick.

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 scared, hopeful, haooy, excited. i was a ball of emotions. i tried to tell myself everything would be alright. I got my affairs in order & wrote notes to my family (just in case!!)

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

Be sore, have diarehha, its a healing time. Try not to do too much at first. Get adjusted, read your information you were given & get all your water & protein in!

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

45 min 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.

full liquid diet for 21 days, pureed foods for 20 days--- thats as far as i have gotten

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

days after i was tired & sore- about a week later i have energy to spare !i am feeling more energetic & great!

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

B12, prevacid, 2 chewable childrens vitamins- protein drinks

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 havent had any side effects yet

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

the enema & suppository!

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

I have my sister who has had the surgery & my friend who has also had the surgery. THey both are easy to talk to, full of information & a great source of support for me since they have also been through it all! I think it is very important to have someone to talk to that KNOWS what you are talking/feeling.

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

my scars are minimal, they are similar to my gallbladder scars. exactly what i expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

N/A not that far out yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

i notice them staring at me- like i have grown a 3rd eye or something. like they want to ask about it but dont know what to say