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

I found out thru my dad and step mom and also my dr. When my dad and step mom had their surgery I was like " yea the easy way out" the more research I did on WLS, the more I thought it was the right choice for me as well.

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

I had no problems at all! At the time of my process tricare was VERY easy to deal with! The waiting sucks though

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

My first "visit" with him was at a seminar that is required before he will even set up your inital consultation. I thought that he and his partner were both very informative and capable.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew I wanted to as soon as my husband got on board.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It's what my dad and step mom had, and also what my doctor thought would benefit me most.

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?

Of course I was scared of dying! The mortality rate is fairly high. I had never really had a REAL surgery, so that was very nerve racking as well!

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?

At first my husband did not want me to do it. He thought I was young enough that I should be able to work it off, but he just didn't understand. Once my regular PCM suggested it, he started looking into it and jumped on board. Pretty much everyone else was very supportive.

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

I was out of work for 10 days and my employer and all the other associates were VERY supportive, and during my inital weight loss, they were very encouraging!

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

it was very well, uncomfortable at first, but as the hours passed, the less pain I had. I was there for 3 days. I say DEFINATELY a pillow from home and some HUGE comfy jammies.

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

Not ONE, thank the lord!

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

Honestly, I HATED life. I wanted to EAT normally soooo badly! I had a really hard time with the head hunger for the first few months. I actually cried over it, but I had a very good support group through my plastic surgeons office.

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

Just take it easy and do what you can. Follow your surgeons instructions about everything, including eating! you can't use this tool if you abuse it, especially from the jump!

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

It was in the same town I was living in at the time.

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.

I still to this day (4 years out) have a hard time tolerating over a couple ounces of food. Sugar was 100% out of my diet for the first year! I've incorporated it a bit now a days, but I'm still very very sensative to sugar. I also became lactose intolerant, so Soy milk is a must for me if I'm using milk other than for cooking.

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

for the first week or so, very limited. It got better soon thereafter

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

multi vitamin, b12 disolvable under the tongue twice a week, and vitamin E

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?

Nausea and vomiting almost every time I ate for the first 18 months. Now I still get nauseaus but only occassionally. More or less it's a FULL feeling that makes me very uncomfortable. The hair loss was bad, but only for 6 months or so. Luckily for me, I have a very thick head of hair, so nobody else could tell LOL

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

The head hunger, and moving to Germany. I have not had ONE bit of bariatric care since moving here, and the doctors act like I have the plauge because I've had WLS anytime anything is wrong with me

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

I had a WONDERFUL support group in Abilene, but I am now in Germany, I do however use the Texas Messages Boards as often as possible and they are GREAT support. I've had no aftercare since moving to Germany four years ago

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

I have 6 tiny scars.....5 from the WLS and one from my tubal which I had in conjunction. They are small and almost totally healed already!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateaued at my goal weight and maintained for almost 3 yrs until having other medical issues. I've now gained a bit.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

of course! People are amazed when i tell them I used to be obese and break out the pictures. I truly feel that people think you're lazy when you're heavy and no one pre judges me on my appearance anymore.