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

I found out about it through a few friends that have had it done. I loved the way it helped with the weight and the related health problems.

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

I have a great doctor and his staff helped me along the way. My friends have been a great support as well as my husband. Going to the Wings around Atlanta suppoe rt group meetings was the best.

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

Be prepared when you go in. I had already gone and seen my Primary care doctor. Had all my letters that I needed and al there was to do was to have my phys evaluation. Always be prepared

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

All the diets that I had tried and failed and all the health problems taht go along with being over weight

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I only looked at the one procedure.

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 father was disappointed in me for deceding to have this done. My mother was very supportive about all of it. If I could I would not have told my dad until it was all over

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

There were alot of people I work with that asked me not to have the surgery. That I could do it on my own. I told them it was already scheduled and approved that I was going to go ahead with it. I was only out 1 week. I am a very quick healer.

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

The hospital was ok. I did not like alot of the nurses. They acted like they didn't have time to stay and listen to your concerns, unlike the nurses aids. I was in the hospital only 2 days. Bring A robe to put over your shoulders, because it is very cold when they make you get up and walk.

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 nervous, but all of my close friends were there for me. I asked alot of questions and got everything togethor that I was going to need after surgery.

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

I was very tired didn't want to get up and do anything. I am grateful my in-laws and husband were close by. Hubby stayed home with that entire week, to make sure I had everything I needed.

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

The hospital was only 15 minutes away

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 still can't eat pork products or Turkey. For some reason my system can't handle them yet. All sugar foods are off limits. Alot of people are concerned that they won't beable to give up sweets. But you can. I don't even want them, they don't even look good. Things have changed very slowly. I still eat mash potatos and refried beans and I am almost 3 months out.

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

I got back to my routine very slowly. I was very tired in the first 2 weeks. Come home from work just exhausted. I sit at a desk and I don't get up very often, but I was very tired.

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

I take chewable children's vitamins, B-12 Shot, and chewable calcium chews.

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 still have the vomiting after I eat if my body doesn't like the food. Which happens about every 3 or 4 days. (Example) I can eat part of a baked potato one day and the next day eat the same thing and it will make me vomit. I am only 2 and a half months out and they tell me thats normal.

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

There really wasn't anything that I didn't like.

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

I go to Wings support group in Atlanta GA once a month. It is 2 hours long and is a big help. I also am friends with about 5 different WLS patients.

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

Yes all of them are little and very unnoticeable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I go through a plateau about every 3 weeks. It will normally last about 3 or 4 days. It gets discourgeing at times but I am gettting used to them

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, They are always saying I am loseing to much weight or that I am going to waist away. Alot of them try to push food on me, You just have to walk away since some of them still don't get what I can eat and what I can't eat