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

My PCP recommended it a year ago. I had only heard horror stories. I always said I would not do bariatric surgery. Now I am happy I did this!

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

I provided my surgeon's office with everything they required. Once the information was submitted, I called to see the progress on my approval. If your paper work is with the insurance company, call and "make friends" with one of the representatives. Then you can call them when you want to find out the status of your claim. Don't give up!

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

My first meeting with the surgeon went quite well. Do your research before you go. Take a list of questions to ask the surgeon, nurse, bariatric coordinator and anyone else on staff. You will get more information that way.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of increasing in size and amounts of medicines for the comorbidities I had.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The staff at the surgeon's office gave me information on both. It took me months to decide. I finally said "do it right the first time."

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?

My biggest fear was of dying in surgery. Talk about your fears with someone, anyone. They can help you through it.

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 and friends have been very supportive. They have been with me since I started looking at the different procedures. They have been great all along!

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

I am a Domestic Engineer! I am my own boss.

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

My hospital stay was very nice. The nurses, techs and even student nurses were very helpful and friendly. My stay was 3 days and 2 nights. Bring baby wipes with you. They were great for those first trips to the bathroom. I used them for everything for the first 12 hours!

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

I had no complications with the surgery. I did have a sinus problem. My nose ran down my throat and caused my pouch to fill with all that. It caused me to throw-up that mucus. We talked to my surgeon and he gave me some medication to clear it up and sent me home anyway!

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

On the day I booked surgery, I wondered "what have I done." I used my journal. If you don't have a journal, get one. Write in it everyday. It helps with the anxiety.

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

My first week home from the hospital was tiring. You can expect to become tired faster. It is also very hard to learn to balance eating and drinking. It is also hard to balance protein and liquid intake to get the required amount. Have someone at home with you for that first week. You'll appreciate knowing you are not alone.

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

The hospital is only 20 to 25 miles from my home. It was not very far. I did use a pillow against my stomach for the ride home to protect myself from bumps in the road.

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 am only 2 weeks post-op. I am adding soft foods to my diet. So far I can eat just about anything I have tried. I love spicy food but have not tried too much yet.

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

I find that I can do 15 to 20 minutes of activity as long as it is not bending over. I can bend from side to side easily but not over to the front just yet.

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

I am taking Bariatric Advantage multi-vitamins, calcium and iron.

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 have only had a little nausea sing surgery. It came in the car on my way to the surgeon's office for my first post-op visit. I have not had any other side effects yet.

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

Waiting for insurance approval!

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

My surgeon's office leads a support group. I would not miss a meeting unless I were sick. It is very important to me to have people to talk to that have gone through the same thing.

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

I have six little scars from the surgery. They are not as large as I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost 35 pounds before surgery, so it seems like my weight loss is slower now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. Most people have not noticed anything different about me.