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

I have alot of friends who have had it and who talked to me about it. I was worried about having it to begin with because my mothers neighbor died from a blood clot from having it so I was naturally scared but that was a long time ago and I finally got over that.

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

My insurance gave me no problem at all. It was approved in 2 weeks and would have been earlier but the paper was lost for a few days.

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

The first visit went very well. He talked to me about the surgery in detainl and was very encourageing. Be sure to ask all the questions you want to. The dr. will answer them if you ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Just got tired of being fat and unhealthy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was taken out of my hands after an Endoscopy found a hernia that was to big to have the Lap Banding.

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 just asked God to give me the courage to go thru it and just trusted that it would go good and it 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?

Everybody was really ok with my having it. Some were worried but after I told them all about it they were all fine about it.

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

They were really encouraging about it and told me to take all the time I needed after the surgery.

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

My hospital stay was great. I was there from Monday to Friday. The most important thing I took was my pillow, housecoat and slippers for walking.

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

I had no complications.

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 really tired but really pretty good. I had a few pains here and there but nothing that hadn`t been explained to me. I didn`t have to take but 3 pain pills after I came home and I wasn`t nervous at all.

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

YOu should expect to feel tired and worn out for a few weeks. You`ll have pains in your stomack area off and on. I was really blessed in that my husband didn`t let me do anything for the first few weeks so I just rested alot.

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

I had to travel 100 miles. My aftercare was good and I made all my appts.

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.

After surgery all I ate was pureed meats and a few vegtables and some mashed potatoes. I also ate scrambled eggs with cheese on top, beans, fish and shrimp. This is what I`m still eating except I`m not pureeing anythingnow I have started eating crackers and some baked chips, but just a few at a time and not everyday. I have been able to tolerate everything just fine except the protein shakes. They make really week for about 30 mins. after I drink more than 2 or 3 swollows at a time.

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

My activity level was not much. I would walk some days and some days I couldn`t but I`m not yet 2 months out and I`m walking 1 mile at a time and somtimes 2 times a day. I`m alot stronger now and cna`t seem to sit still for long so I`m up doing things. I have washed down the walls at my church and am now cleaning out a house that is fixing to be torn down. I staying busy most all the time.

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

I take 2 chewable complete children vitimins a day, calicum powder 4 time a day in my drinks, B12 sublingual once a week.

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?

Sleep disturbace was probable the worst. It was hard to sleep because I wasn`t really active the first few weeks. That went on for maybe 3 weeks. I would take Benadryl at night to help me sleep.

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

NOne of it was bad to me.

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

I have support meetings, and bullitin boards and a telephone to call anybody I need to including my dr.

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

I have 6 holes in my stomach and they are not bad at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I`ve had a few days where I would stay the same weight but so far nothing much at all.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No