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

A friend at worked told me she had it done...then one day while at my drs. office he recomended it to me...I didnt know anything about it but found a lot from the internet and my dr.

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

make sure you have you I's dotted and your T's crossed...to much info is never enough...I had a great case worker from St.Vincents in Cleveland on my side.....Thanks Latonya

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

I was nervous and excited...write everything down...there is no stupid question...this is your body and the start of your new life

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

when I found out My blodd sugar was out of control...and when I found out that my insurance would cover it all but $250.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I talked to a couple of people that had it done and there was a woman that had it done at the hospital and she showed me the diffrence in results compared to the lap band and laproscopic by.pass

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?

Of course you have fears...but I went in with a very positive attitude and knowing that it was gonna change my life for the good....and also if it is my time to go to heaven...there is not much I can do about it !

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?

My family was ok with it ...they understood completely ...I had a friend that didnt think that I needed it...she thought that I was doing it for my boyfriend...how wrong was she !!!!!

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

I was not working at the time of the surgery...still looking for work...

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

staying at st vincents was a good stay...I had to stay in for 3 days because i developed a temp and my dr. wanted me to stick around just in case...I took regular PJs ...they made me feel human while I was there...take a good robe and good walking slippers....I walked all the time ...the more you walk the better it feels

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

I got a temp....and my dr. told me to do my breathing exercises and to walk

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 so ready to get going ...I drove myself crazy because i wasnt working....I did a lot of scrapbooking and went for walks

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

I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach...but it does get better...dont over do it and most important...keep moving

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

I am about 30-45 minutes away from the hospital...I could have gone to Akron...but had heard to many stories from there !!!

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.

first 10 days...liquids day 11- 29 is pureed food...I have tired to eat some stuff like that but the look is too nasty...I can eat very soft foods...chewing a lot before i swallow...mashed potatoes with gravy or cheese.

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

was able to just walk around for about 5-10 minutes at first...I am up to walking about 20 minutes...sometimes less...trust me your stomach will let you know when to stop

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

I take a multi vitamin 2 x a day ...chewable right now..and chewable pepcid 2 x a day and gall bladder meds 2 x a day for the first 6 weeks then it goes down to 1 x a day....after 3 months I can stop the gall bladder meds

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 told my self that i was not gonna vomit and so far I havent...I have felt like the dumping was about to hit me but I sat still and concentrated and it goes away ...my sleep is getting better...except at first trying to find a comfortable position

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

getting up the day after surgery and having to drink the stuff when you have the upper GI ...so they can check for leaks...it is nasty tasting and that is the first thing you have to drink for about 36 hours...YUCK !!!!!!!!

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

I can call St.Vincent staff anytime......I think it is good to be able to talk to someone....

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

I have 6 small ones...they are getting better each day

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none so far...loosing about 10 lbs a week

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

my boyfriend when we are in bed is scared that he is gonna hit me in the stomach......