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

My great aunt had it done in the 1970's. She had a lot of complications.

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

I was immediately approved. Give as many details as possible.

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

Go with a question list. Do not let them assume hat because you are informed by the internet that you do not need to hear it from them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

A rude man's comment pushed me over the edge.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the least amount of scarring and time out of work.

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 more likely to die from the fat than from surgey. I went for 38 years without doing anything. That was not working for me. I stopped living and watched from my seat as everyone else lived.

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?

I received the best support from my family. It has been a little tougher for my husband.

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

I was given my dream job 3 months post-op. I have been respected for what I chose to do. I have always been looked up to for my job, but now I look better as well.

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

I was hospitalized for 2 days. I did my part with breathing exercises and walking the same day.

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

8 months post op I had a hernia and small bowel obstruction. I was devastated by my temporary set-back. I did eerything I was supposed to do. It did not prevent it from happening.

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

Eating was difficult 2-3 months post-op. I got sick on everything. It went away.

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

I had it done laproscopically and was back at work in 2 weeks. I was lucky to stay with my RN mother after the surgery. She made me move and get up. She cared for me.

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

I travelled an hour and a half south to Allentown. I was only followed 6 months post op.

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.

My doctor had me eating slid foods 3 days post op. I ate turkey, tuna, cheese, crackers, cereal, cottage cheese, and yogurt. I could not drink soda, eat mayonnaise, cold cheese, and pork of any kind. Meat has become easier. Salads are difficult still. Lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers do not process internally. Soda is gone. Cannot do it. Water is still easiest. Wendy's chili is great. Taco Bell steak taco is great. Sushi is great. Pasta is fine. I still have problems eating rice. Anything fried makes me sick. Sugar makes me have dumping syndrome.

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

I was very active. Walking in Home Depot. Doing stairs and eventually the treadmill.

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

I take 1 tablet Flinstones complete and 1 tablet Vitamin E and 4 Rolaids daily.

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?

Vomiting 2-3 months post op. Hair loss at 5 months that dissipated after seeing a nutritionist. Dumping after any sugar.

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

Learning to eat again.

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

I don't. I talk to many pre-ops from this site that contact me with questions.

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

6 one half inch marks barily visible. The hernia gave me a 6 inch scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I occasionly hit plateaus. I have had 2 so far.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Everyone tells me how wonderful I look and how proud they are of me. I get more respect. But, I haven't changed.