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

I have heard about it since I was around 15 but since I was activily involved in school sports the weight stayed constant I was still overweight despite all the physical activivies I did but then when summer came along I gained tons of weight.

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

I had UnitedHealth Care I was pretty simple getting approved, I made sure I had all my medical records that showed that my weight had been a stuggle, previous medical diets I was put on by my pediatrician and of course during the moniterd diets I would lose weight, but never kept it off. After sending that in with my request I recieved a letter stating all I needed to get approved.... some of which included a thyroid, drug and alcohol test???? Not sure why maybe because I was 19 at the time when I first sent in the request, I became 20 a few days after that. It took about a month and a half to get approved.

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

Well previously to taking such a big step I did my research, so the meeting was pretty much a review.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After getting a CSR job, which is a whole lot of sitting around I gained nearly 20 pounds in 3 MOnths!!!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I always had my mind set on gastric bypass because I didnt want an object in my body.

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 fears are real but just have faith that everything will be ok, and have a support group.

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?

I had mixed opinions, "you dont need that, you can lose weight on your own, you've done it before." was the most common answer but then they dont understand the struggle it was to lose the weight knowing passing a few months it would be back, My mom was supportive she undertood my struggle.

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

I am going to be out for 2 weeks I has been 5 days since my surgey, I just filled out the fmla papers and that was that.

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

I was there for about 2 1/2 days maybe less it was pleasant, I mean for a hospital.. I had never had any king of hospital stay so it was all new to me but it was enjoyable, sort of like a mini vacay!! lol

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

No none that i know of as of yet. Maybe its too soon to tell.

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 Had had a previous date before,(10/23/06) although that one didnt go through I had quit my job (very stressfull) but in continued through cobra with the same insurance they were the pain,, I had to pay 900 for 3 mo of coverage just to get my surgery. Also I really only had 1 month and a half of coverage bc It took them so long to update. My new employer has cigna, I heard they were pretty good with apporvals but I didnt want to go through the process again so I stuck with United health care.

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

Its pretty annoying no feeling like your usual self, but you can get through it, It is not at all as bad as i though it would be.

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

The hostpital and Dr. Babineau office are not even a mile 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.

Its been a few days Im still on the liquid diet, dont want to have any accidents (although i did eat 3 crackers yesterday, BAD IDEA!!!!)

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

I walking around, but thats it my wounds are still not great I dont want to risk it.

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

Gummyvites, b12 melts and TUms

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?

none yet i just feel deprived from good food.

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

recovery from the actual surgery but like i said I expected a lot worse.

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

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

There still bruised but doing okay.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

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Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

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