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

from a friend. At first, I thought that was the extreme and was against that.

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

didn't have a problem which suprised me. I breezed through the whole entire process.

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

He was quick and to the point. Didn't have sweet thoughts on his bedside manner. Don't let the surgeon leave without answering ALL your questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

finding out my new insurance paid for it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

by going to a orientation on it first. l gave it lots of thought and prayer and decided I would just go for the total bypass.

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 didn't have any fears....everyone else did. I had peace cause I'm a christian and new that if God hadn't stopped the whole process by now, then He was allowing me to have it done with His blessings. Be sure this is truly what you want to do and for the right reasons. It's not something to take lightly without fully educating yourself first.

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?

scared and worried but over time, they were very supportive. Still supporting and encouraging me. I have a great support system. 2009-3 yrs later: Family and friends are amazed at the results and now everyone stops me and asked alot of questions about the surgery and how they can go about getting it too.

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

was excited. 2 weeks

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

It was a good experience. I was in there 2 nights. Things to bring would be just clothes to wear home. The hospital supplied everything else and you won't want to read or do anything cause you will be tired and sore yet.

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

none 2009 - 3 yrs later: Have some acid reflux now so that's something I deal with daily and have noticed alot of changes with food tastes. Can't eat alot of meats anymore. Makes me nauseated so that's a problem since I love meat. It's still strange to only be able to eat a small amount of food but at least I know the surgery worked for me and the weight is staying off.

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

excited!!! New what I was doing was the right thing and I kept reminding myself of this. God gave me a extreme peace over it all.

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

I call these two weeks, hell weeks cause I was uncomfortable and could only have liquids to eat while everyone else ate whatever in front of me. It was hard. Just because I couldn't eat it did'nt mean I didn't want it. I just took my time with everything and got lots of rest. Small walks are needed too. Helps to get rid of the gas.

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

60 miles maybe one way.

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.

tuna fish sandwich. Diet Pepsi. I'm only 2 weeks out so I'm still finding out.

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

slow-med. activity.

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

Calcium, B12, MultiVitamin, Med for the prevention of Gallstones, Zantac

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?

haven't had problems yet 2009-3 yrs later: Still lose some hair but not bad. No dumping unless I eat too much and then I pay for it. Doesn't happen very often thank goodness.

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

learning to eat all over again.

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

I go to a support group in Longview, Wa. It's awesome and helps me learn new things as well as talk about feelings and problems.

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

didn't expect so many holes (7). Had my Lapro so I was happy about that. Things are healing nicely though. 2009-3 yrs later: Have hardly any scars

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

somewhat but only have lost 40 so far. 2009-3 yrs later: YES!!! People don't recognize me (the truth). Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it bugs me. Friends also call me names like "Hey Skinny!!" Get that alot...Jealousy is another thing I get from friends. It's been a totally different world. I'm the same inside as I was 3 years ago so when people treat me nicer and with respect, it bothers me that they couldn't treat me this way before the surgery.