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

My sister had bariatric surgery 11 years ago. I wasn't sure about it then, but her weight just melted away, and she was able to keep it off.

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

I'm still waiting for approval. My suggestions: 1)call your surgeon and find out what he needs for processing, 2)call your insurance company and find out what requirements they have 3) be prepared with all that is required.

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

I loved my surgeon. I had made a list of questions before hand, so I knew exactly what I wanted to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have been thinking about it for a while. My kids are my sole reason for having the surgery. I want to be around to see them grow up and have families of their own.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew the results of gastric bypass since my sister had it done. I also know a few people who had Lap Band. So I just went with the results that I saw from them, and gastric bypass also fits into my lifestyle.

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 don't have too many fears about dying. I have fears of something going wrong with my surgery. I did a lot of research on my physician and thats what I recommend. He had very few people with problems after surgery.

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 is very supportive. I haven't told my boss yet, so I'm a little worried about that.

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

He was a little shocked. He used to be a nutrition counselor at his old job, so he was making sure that I was prepared for what I am about to get into. He took it much better than I thought he would. My surgeon said I would be out 2 weeks at least, but I am contemplating on taking 3 weeks off.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I was excited about going to my seminar. I am glad I went. I was told exactly what to expect, and so far it is spot on.

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

My stay at the hospital was okay. Not because of the staff or anything, but because I just couldn't get comfortable in the bed. I stayed 2 days. Chapstick and your current meds is what I would suggest to bring. I didn't use much of anything else that I brought.

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

The only thing I have noticed, and I am a year out today, is just a bit of hair loss. From all that I have read, that could be because I am not getting enough protein in my diet!

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 got very nervous the day of surgery. Otherwise I was okay.

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

Take your pain meds. The doctor gives them to you for a reason. I was trying to be brave and not take them, but I did need them. And walk, and drink.

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

Not very far. I am having my surgery at The Woodlands Hospital which is about 15-20 minutes from home.

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.

I am still in the clear liquid stage. Broths, jell-os, sugarfree popsicles.

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

I am about 4 days out and am able to get up and walk, but I do tire very easily.

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

I'm not taking any vitamins yet. I see my doc for the first time since surgery next week and he will most likely run labs and tell me what I need to take.

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 haven't dumped yet. I have a bit of nausea, which could also be pain, because it goes away when I take my pain meds. Each day I feel a little better.

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

Recovery was bad for me, lots of pain, I spent several days wishing I hadn't done this to myself.

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

The hospital I had my surgery at offers a support group meeting once per week, and they are very helpful!

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

I have 6 scars on my abdomen, almost gone. The only thing I was a little apprehensive about was the extra skin, which I don't have as much of as I thought I would, but believe me, it is well worth it for the healthy life-style that I have gained and the life with my children that I now enjoy.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None really. It took a while to figure out what foods I could eat, and how much sugar I could really tolerate in my diet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get a lot of comments about how great I look. There are just a few people, mostly older men (no offense) who will come up to me and ask me if I am sick because they have noticed that I have lost a lot of weight. (I work at a pharmacy, so these are people that I see on a very regular basis)