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

There was a wonderful article in our local newspaper ( the Telegram and Gazette. It was very informative and inspiring.

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

my letter was mailed to the insurance company March 20...and was received by them on March 26...on April 18th the surgeons office received a letter requesting more info...she mailed it back to them that afternoon. I recommend...that you have a lot of patience and support at this point...argh...

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

My first meeting with Dr Kelly was amazing...I came prepared with a list of questions to ask him...but before I had a chance to ask them...he had answered them...I felt very comfortable with him and he made me feel as though I was his only patient. He was very thorough...and told me if I came up woth any other questions...that I could e-mail him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have tried everything else...I need to change my life...I consider this operation to be a gift and a tool to use to be able to live my life as a healthy person.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After doing a lot of research and talking with the Surgeon I decided that Laprascopic would be less invasive and the healing time would be shorter

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 scared about the risks but I also knew that if I didn't have the surgery I would be a health risk too

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?

Well I was careful about who i told about the surgery..but the people closest to me were extremely supportive

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

I was well taken care of and I was well prepared for the operation...I was there for4 days...the only thing that I needed from home was my c-pap machine. The hospital supplied me with everything else i needed

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

After 1 month i was having a lot of trouble keeping anything down...I went for a dilation to remove the blockage...I was terrified to eat at first but I slowly was able to start to eat...with the help of the support group and my friends at home.

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

Frankly...I suffered from a lot of anxiety...but I was able to rely on the support group as well as some of my friends that I have made through the support group . I spent a lot of time on the phone.

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

My first few weeks were very uncomfortable...I really would not expect too much right away...I really needed someone there with me ...and thank god there was. I would tell people to take each day and do not push yourself or strain youself too much. Just heal!

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

I am extremely lucky...I live about 1/2 mile from the hospital

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.

right after surgery...I was lactose intolerant. which really made life difficult. I was only able to have broth, jello...hunnus, tuna with light mayo, popsicles (sugarfree) not a lot of food, after almost 2 months I was able to have milk and dairy products again. I eat a lot of cheese, skim milk, eggs ( a couple a week), cottage cheese, I can eat chili...with cheese, chicken, peanut butter, crackers. Now at 3 months I can eat salad...beef, fish, boca burgers, pizza (plain) 1 piece, drink juice, and coffee I can only eat about 1/3 to 1/2 of a lean cuisine/healthy choice depending on entree.

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

my activity level was very poor following the surgery

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

I take: 1 a day vits, vit B-12, 1200 calcium

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 a problem with Nausea and vomiting about 1 1/2months after surgery...I had to be dilated to remove a blockage. I was so uncomfortable that I called the doc

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

the worst part was being so naiseas and vomiting so much

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

Well a bout a year prior to my surgery I had joined Worcester Bariatric group...and was attending the meetings each month..plus I had also became friends with some of the people I had met. I am also active on line with that group as well. The support from this group as well as my friends at home is crucial. don't know how i would have done it without them!

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

My scars (lap) have healed beautifully...better than i had hoped!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

not yet only 3 months out

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

well i am not sure if people are treating me differently or if i am feeling more confidant...but whatever it is it feels good!