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

I learned about it on the web... I felt this was something that i wanted to look in to as a way of life and felt this was the only option for me.

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

I didnt have to deal with my insurance company. I let Lap. Weight Loss Surgery Center handle all the details for me. I just made sure i did my part by getting all the information for them in advance.

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

every educational, he was very pleasant and answered all my questions. he made me feel at ease and that i could trust that he will do the best job possible for me to succeed.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched all types of the surgery and felt the Lap. was the best option for me, there was less risk then all the others and the recovery time was only 1 to 2 weeks.

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 did a lot of praying, and tried to prepair my family for the worse possible situation . even by getting a living will in place.

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?

They were full of questions and worries, but quickly realized that my mind was made up and they felt the need to support my decision.

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

They were more to the point, "How long are you going to be out of work?" but was supportive with my decision.

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

It was comfortable for the most part, I was in a private room and only stayed 3 days. I didnt bring anything from home as i was informed not to .. after the first day, my husband brought my robe, you will need it when you get up and walk the halls.. yes, i said walk the halls...

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

no

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 was getting anxios, excited, worried, frustraited that it wasnt already over... i focused on my family and before i new it my date was here.

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

I was tired more than anything, all i wanted to do was sleep.. then i slowly started coming back to my normal self. the people around you should realize that you just had major surgery and will need their assistance more than ever. you cant pick anything up over 5lbs. so they need to assist you with what ever need you have.

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

5 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.

I found myself very thirsty, even today... I was still on the liquid diet, their wasnt much that you could tolerate. In my second week, I tried grits and "dumped" it was the worse feeling i had ever had, chest pain, cramping, throwing up, head aches, I felt terrible. i was eating soup broth, jello, apple juice, and sugar free ice cream. in week three, i "dumped" again on scrambled eggs.. but i am now able to eat oatmeal, and mash potatoes.

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

tired, and very slowly... now i walk every day,not very far at first but now more than a mile every day.

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

multi-vitamine with iron vitamine B12 calcuim pills

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?

Dumping was the worse for me... I dumped when i ate 3 bites of grits and 4 bites of eggs... on different days of course. I had chest pain,cramping, throwing up, shortness of breath, head pounding, cold sweats, etc, etc... it lasted about an hour and the head ache lasted all day no matter what meds i took.

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

removal of the drainage tubes

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

i havent started one yet, i have my family and a lot of walking...

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

at first i looked like a stabbing victume, but they are clearing up and are hardly noticable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was loosing weight pretty quickly and then nothing for a week, but now things are back on tract. to daye i have lost aprox. 30 lbs

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, they respond very quickly to my weight loss...