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

One of my best friends began talking about having it done about seven years ago. I thought that she was crazy and let her know it. Thank God that she didn't listen to me! It was so new then, I was very apprehensive about the procedure.

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

My insurance would not approve any WLS or any WL program. I had to pay out of pocket by withdrawing part of my retirement money.

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

My stay was very pleasant. I was in the hospital for three days and was discharged on the 4th. Take reading materials, puzzle books or something to occupy your time when you aren't walking the halls!

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

I was fortunate to not have any 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 was very excited. I only had two weeks once I found out. It was almost as if I began to obsess over having it done. I never experienced any anxiety at all. My husband was the one that was so anxious partially because I traveled out of the country to have it done.

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

I was very tired for the first few weeks. I could only have liquids so I attributed the weakness to that plus I returned to work one week to the day post op which I feel now was too soon. I did experience some depression and really want to eat some food one day but that passed. The more time that passed, the better I felt and the easier things became.

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

I traveled from GA to Bogota, Colombia which is a little over 2000 miles by air. Since I chose to go out of the country due to pricing and having to pay out of pocket, my MD in Bogota referred my to a local bariatirc MD for follow up. It has not been a problem at all.

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.

It varies because sometime I can eat something that I've already eaten and tolerated and it will make me sick. I'm only 2 months out so I'm still in the learning stages! Meat has been the hardest food to tolerate for me.

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

I began walking immediately.

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

Centrum multi vitamin, Caltrate 600 plus D, chewable iron, B 12 injections bimonthly and liquid potassium

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?

Vomiting is the worst for me. I can eat something one day and then try it again later and vomit. I just have to be very careful about chewing and the rate at which I eat. That is usually what causes me to get sick.

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

Not being able to drink diet coke again!

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

I have asked about support groups near my hometown and have gotten no responses. I talk with friends for support and my family. Haven't had much luck with anything else.

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

I only have 4 incision scars and a scar from the drain tube. They are small. They are still pretty new but I'm sure they will fade in time. I really didn't expect anything any different.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I went for three weeks without losing any weight and became very discouraged. Others tell me that it is all part of it so I've been hanging in there.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. I've only lost 50 pounds and have over 100 more to go.