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

Was first mentioned to me several years ago by my ob-gyn. I thought it was very drastic at that time. Then fate happened. I met a lady while carpooling from the bus stop that has psoriatic arthritis like me and on the same medications. She had had the surgery about 5 months before and had lost 75 lbs and was able to get off all the medications!

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

I had United Healthcare - no problems what so ever was approved in two weeks.

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

Ask lots of questions - be very specific about what to expect with surgery and after. Question about side effects.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Many health problems

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research

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?

The complications of the surgery to me were no more riskier than living another day obese. I could have had a heart attack trying to walk down the street. I had complications two months after my surgery and was knocking on deaths door - can't say for sure it had to do with my WLS but you know, I would do it again in a heartbeat! Best thing that I ever did!

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 husband and my parents were my biggest supporters. My father has always been a very critical individual and I wasn't going to tell them about the surgery until it was done...I began to feel guilty about that because you never know what could happen during surgery - told him and he has been one of my top supporters!

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

Well I started a new job on 6/2 and already has surgery scheduled for 7/9. They hired me anyway and I was out for only 2.5 weeks.

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

I had surgery on Wednesday and went home on Friday. Don't really need much of anything beside some comfortable slipper so that you can walk those halls.

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

No problems here - just gas from the lab - walking was the best medicine.

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 felt depressed at times - but nothing outstanding - thought a few times - why the heck did I do this - but these things passed within a few weeks.

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

The first week was a bit tough - you are very sore. All I could have was broth and sugar free jello and popsicles. Was sure glad when that week was up. You learn very quickly your food limits!

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

Just across town - maybe 25 miles

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 has us on a very strict diet for 6 months after surgery to maximize weight loss - no carbs, no fat, no sugar - only lean meat and green leafy vegetables. One year post op and I have a hard time with sugar...some things upset me terrible while others don't.

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

I have never been much of an exerciser - guess that is what contributed to my weight problems - right! I work out with weights and ride a health rider 2-3 times a week. I have arthritis so I am very limitied. I also enjoying doing "Walk away the Pounds" DVD's

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

Flintstone chewable vitamins.

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?

Only time I vomited was when I overate...I had really bad hair loss about 4 months post op - my doctor told me that I was not eating enough meat....it stopped about 6 mos post op and started growing back.

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

For me the worst part was getting the staples removed! Not bad huh!

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

None

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

I had six tiny incisions - one year post op and they are almost not noticable at all!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I started leveling off at about 10 months post op - stepped up the exercise and it started coming off again...dr tells me that I can eat anything I want know and should lose about 1 lb a month now that I am 1 yr post op

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

MOST DEFINITELY! I got my first cat call the other day on the way into work - boy did that feel good - I can't remember when someone whistled like that to me!