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

From a plastic surgeon when I went in for a breast reduction, he suggested this first. My first impression was frightening but all of my doctors jump on board and made me understand that this was going to save my life

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

I had no problems with the insurance

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

My stay is somewhat a blur. I was only in 3 days. I did say to the doctor that he wanted me up and around and it was hard to get the nurses to listen.

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?

Tired but good. I did not have any vertigo attacks which I had lived with everyday for over 20 years....anxiety was hard but my husband, son, mom and dad and my son's girl kept me going and kicked me when I wanted to just sit and do nothing

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

Being somewhat shy of seeing people...not wanting to be judged that you did this to only lose weight....I did this to stop a downward spiril with my heath and felt that I was being judged as someone who couldn't lose the weight on my own...so I did not want to see people

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

31 miles....It is close to my work place

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 was not allowed red meat, starch vegies, and breads but this should change soon

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

low at first...then it improved and I wanted to do things but rushed back too soon as then my energy level went low with working and exercising...still working on this

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

multi and calcium supplements

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 was lucky...NO side effects

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

For me it was the fact that even though I tried I could not do this by myself....and I needed everyone when I finally decided to do this...I am very independent so to rely on others to help me ge through this was hard.

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

The doctor has a support group but I have not been able to attend yet. I found this site to be extremely helpful

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

four little marks and they are healing well

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes....they keep staring and saying how different I look....yet I do not see it.