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

I knew about it about 10yrs ago when my late husband was considering it, then I never really thought that I was a canidate for it until I saw a pic of last yr and I said then that I wanted to do it then my fiance didn't want me to do it but the more weight I gained I finally said that I was going to find out about it with or without him that it didn't matter.....

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

got approved first time.....

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

I talked with my surgeon and told him that I wanted to get healthy and that I needed his help to do it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Not being able to go to amusement parks with my great niece (she is 5), and the thought of not seeing her grow up bothered me really bad.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched all of them and then made my decision based on my personal preferences.

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?

Other than the fear of choking to death with the lap band I really don't have any fears about the RNY...

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?

When I first told my family of my decision they were worried that something would happen to me during surgery but since surgery they have been very supportive....

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

I am currently disabled and can't work

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

I stayed at ALbany Medical Center and I had a wonderful stay, the nurses were the best. I was in for 5 days (due to breathing issues) but I had a great experience there and would recommend them to anyone. The one thing that I can tell you is bring chap stick, for some reason your lips are dry the whole time you are there.

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

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 was very excited, I wasn't nervious and I had no fear. I just wanted it to be over with so I could be on the loosing side...

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

I was sick once I got home, I had nasea and vomiting for about two days and was in severe pain for the first week.. I wished that they would talk about the possible pain, nesea and vomiting that you may or may not get at the hospital and at home....

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

I travel 1 and 1/2 hrs to my hospital..I haven't had any aftercare other than seeing my surgen for my 2wk check up..

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.

Not there yet still on soft foods

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

not much, I haven't really done much since my surgery, I take one day at a time because I still have pain....

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

I take one a day vitamin, I take caltrate, and B12 1000mgs.

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?

nausea has been the worse for me so far but I am only 2wks out..

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

The weeks after surgery so far, the pain, nausea and vomiting and not being able to do much....

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

I will continue to go to the support group that the hospital offers, it is very informative and people are friendly and non judgemental...

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

I have 6 small insions, I knew what to expect so it was nothing worse then when I had my gallbladder out years ago..

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet I am only 2.5 weeks out

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet I am only 2.5 weeks out