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

I relied on friends that had this done then relied on the internet to research the surgery to see if it was right for me. I am diabetic and needed to make sure this surgery was going to work.

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

I did not have any problem with the insurance approval. My approval only took 1 day.

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

Dr. Clark asked you everything about your history, medically and personally. Do not be shy, this is going to change your life. He also told you exactly what was going to be done and how you were going to feel and what to expect.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Confidence in the surgeon, and the knowlege that this was going to help me control my diabetes and let me live for a long time.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Mainly the confidence in the surgeaon. I have heard some mishps with the lap type procedure, and since I am diabetic I did not want to have any complications.

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?

If you have fears, youa re not ready to have this procedure done.

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?

At first my mom was fearful, but she knows that I do not jump into anything without researching it. My husband was supportive from the beginning and so were my kids. I did not tell anyone at first, I did mu research and made up my mind. I wanted to do this for myself and did not want any influences .

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

I washonest with him. He also knows I researched this and would not make this decision without a good reason. He was very supportive.

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

My hospital stay was for 3 days. it was great, the nurses at the Sentara Careplex were great and helped whenever you needed it. Make sure you take your comfortable PJs, a good bood, and your favorite pillow, along with shoe that you are comfortabkle in. You will be walking.

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

When I got home, everything was going good. But I started getting a nausea feellng, and a sore throat, and a fever. I caught an intestinal flu while I was in the hospital. I needed to go back into the hospital and get and IV of fluids. after that I was more than great.

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 have not had any problems after the surgery. Just take it slow with everything you do. That means eating too.

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

My first weeks were good, but I had someone (an adult) there with me to help. Remember you had your belly cut, this affects all your movements.

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

The hospital is only 15 minutes away from my house.

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 followed the liquid diet for 2 weeks. It was completely sugar free and low fat. After I did the pureed foods for 2 weeks. Again I did low fat and high protein. I ground everything up because I did not want to feel sick in my stomach. Afer that I went to real food, but I still ground alot of the meats up. I really stopped when I started feeling food in my stomach. I am 2 months out and now I still only eat about 3 ounces. But I have a lot of energy.

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

Every week I see a change in my appearance, but I also not the big change in my energy level. I have so much energy that no one in my house can keep up with me.

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

I started out with Flintstones Kids bitamins, 2 times a day. Do not do teh Centrum Kids Chewable they are gross tasteing. Now I take a Centrum Adult vitamin,, 2times per day and a Balanced B Complex 2 time per day.

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 dumping syndrome 1 time and it was because of the fat content. So I do not eat that food anymore. I have vomited only a few times and this was because I ate too fast and too much. So now I do not eat fast and give my stomach pouch time to let me know how much food is in there.

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

The day before the surgery when I needed to take the Fleets Phosph Soda. I am not one to stay at home all day and to spend it on the toilet was just no fun. But it really works and without cramping.

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

My family and friends are my support. My family constantly reminds me of little things (like Mom aren-t yu eating too fast). My friends and peers at work are so impressed they are always complementing me and telling me how wonderful I look. I never realized that compliments were such a confidence booster.

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

My scar is 4 inches long. It is barely noticable. From 2 weeks after surgery, I started using Palmers Cocoa Butter emollent. I rub it on every morning and night and after every shower. Even the surgeon was impressed with the way the scar looked

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

From my presurgery friends, peers and coworkers: Treatment is the same, except of the compliments. I do notice people looking at me and saying hi more now than before. But that could be because of my increased confidence.