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

I saw a comercial on TV and I called right away. I wanted it done right away but our insurance didnt cover it at the time.

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

The surgeons office sets up a group session to explain the whole proceedere and answer questions. then you set up appointment to see the surgeon. My visit went good I ask a bunch of questions that I had written down after reserching things on the internet.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

MY BUTT!!!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted to heal fast so I could get back to work fast I run my own business and without working there is no Money! So Lap was the way to go for me.

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 didn't have many fears I depend on God for strength and I figure that there is a time and day that I will die and whether I am on the operating table or in a car or walking God will take me home when that time comes.

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?

Most of my family was supportive although a little leary but I tried to inform them the best I could and didn't expect them to understand because they were not 100#s over weight and they had not read all the research that I had so they might not understand. They are very supportive of me after surgery always making sure I have food that I can have when we have pitch ins and dinners.

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

The Hospital stay was good for me but I didn't go in expecting much so I guess that was good. I was in for 4 nights 2 in PICU and 2 in a regular room. I would say that you should bring a Fan it got very warm being on Morphine.

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

At 2 weeks out I started having trouble with getting a full feeling after about 1 - 2 bites of food and then feeling like I needed to throw up. I called the Drs office several times and they told me different things I was doing wrong. But I tried to do everything like eat slow, 2oz, no water 30 befor or after, but nothing worked. After having this for 2 weeks and going 1 week with no bowel movement I went to the ER told them I thought I had a blockage and needed a scope and dialation. They put me in the hospital for 2 days and ran test only to find out I had a blockage!! They released me to go to a specialist and he did the scope and dialation and I have been fine since. They said that I am a good healer and just healed to opening to my intestines closed.

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 felt excited I felt like I was finally going to have a chance to get thin and get healthy. I felt like when it is my tie to die God will take me wherever I am, so I didnt worry to much about that.

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

The first week home was pretty good I just wanted to sleep alot and then after that I was back to work and feeling pretty good.(except for the blockage thing)

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

I am close to the hospital about 20-30 mins 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.

Well the first weeks I just ate soup but for some reason I get tired of things real fast now. I will crave something and then I hate it for a while. I can't eat chicken it just doesn't agree with me. I also have a hard time with breads. At 7 weeks out the told me to eat whatever I want but eat slow and only 2 oz. I have been doing ok with that but sometimes I over do it and then I feel YUK!! I think some days I can eat about anything and others I can eat very little and nothing sounds good

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

The first week or two were slow but it is getting better all the time and with 50#s off now i feel like doing more stuff.

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

I have taken Viactiv chews for calcium and a multivitamin from GNC that is chewable, taste like lemon lime but not real yummy!

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 have nausia a little now and vometing about 4 times a week if I eat too fast or too much. I figure it is one of lifes changes for me and I have to deal with it.

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

So far it was having to go to the ER for the blockage and having none of the drs know what to do with me.

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

So far our Dr does not have a support group so I depend on Obesity help.com for my support and it helps a bunch.

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

I have 7 small scars from Lap surgery. I think they are what I expected and they have faded some and will probably fade more in the next year. I do put vitamin E oil on them to help fade them.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I did plateau at about 5 weeks but I think that my body thought I was starving myself during the bout with the blockage so it took about 10 days to break the plateau

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No except the are complimenting me more