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

I was denied by my health insurance...and ended up self pay...the best money I ever spent...

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

The first impression of Dr. Mirande was WOW. He is so friendly and courteous...he took the time to listen and honestly listen. He was so helpful...he catered to my kids and family as well as me...answered all of our questions and made sure we all understood what we were being told...

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I desperately wanted a change...for the better.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After much time talking to my doctor and my family I decided that I did not want to be in the surgery room more than one time and wanted the most of what I was going to get the first time out...

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 to outweigh the thought of having a heart attack and dying in front of my kids or the thought of dying trying to save my life and for me the thought of not doing anything about my health and dying was worse

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 mom flipped out at first...then after she attended a support group session and a seminar and heard others experiences with it she was better...and my mind was made up...i was doing this no matter what.

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

I had been placed on disability due to comorbidities...yet able to return to work shortly (6 months) after...I had lost 70 pounds in this 6 months and was able to do many new things as well as go back to work...

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

The staff at Merle West Medical Center were incredible...I was in the hospital 5 days and had no bad experiences...the most important things to me that I took with me were my own pillow and toiletries...oh and my blanket off my bed at home to help me feel comfortable in a strange place...

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

I had no complications...

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 didnt get nervous until the morning of surgery...I took my 3 kids with me and when I looked at the worry on thier faces...WOW its been a long time since i thought about that....still hard. Leave the kids at home...surround yourself with people who can be strong and make you strong.

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

The first few weeks were difficult...life is taking a huge change already...even as early as the first few weeks things are in a steady roll...expect to have feelings and not understand all of them right off...afterall WLS is like mourning...although nobody has passed away we still mourn the loss of a lifelong loyal friend FOOD

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

3 hours away...My surgeon was so wonderful I left with many phone numbers and he called me daily to check in too...

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 few months were very difficult as I didnt have much of a desire for food...often just the smell of food nauseated me or the crincling of a chip bag or the sound of a bottle opening...i still to date cant tolerate chinese food or well done meats...each week i added new foods into my diet and when one didnt settle well the first time i would wait 2 weeks then try it again...if something settled well the first time i stuck with it for a while....

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

the first few weeks were difficult...open DS procedure and I was sore...and lack of ability for so long to be able to exercise made it more difficult. After 3 months I was able to walk 2 to 3 miles a day. I had to stop and rest from time to time but was able to keep going after short breaks...

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

ADEKs Oscal Vit D Probiotics ferrous gluconate and a centrum for women

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 not had any dumping (DS usually dont) nausea for first few months with smells...and hairloss...small price to pay for good health...just take some biotin tabs daily with the vitamins and make sure your protien is up...

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

the wait for approval or denial from insurance.....everything else comes in stride.

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

obesityhelp.com forums and support group meetings...these are very important as there can always be things that we dont think of and need help with that many others also need and can help with.

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

I have a 8 inch scar down the center of my abdomen yet it has faded some over time. I expected it to be much worse...its not that bad. Kinda like a trophy tatoo....lol

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a few short plateaus...the longest lasting about 2 months....but after they were done all was good and I was losing by leaps and bounds again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

*smile* People do treat us differently after weight loss...some are good and others...well lets just say not everyone is tactful...