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

I read about bariatric surgery on the internet like 5 yrs before making the decision, and also because at the time my insurance wouldn't pay for it..5 yrs later my best friend died due to her high weight, diabetes to name a few things, basically though her weight crushed her while she was sleeping..also my insurance had begun to pay for this surgery..I had no second thoughts

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 getting my insurance to help pay for this surgery..I just had to prove 5 years of being obese, non-consecutive...I had to pay 2,000 I am very thankful for their help

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

A bit scary I was afraid of jumping thru the hoops to get the surgery, taking a psychatric test, the diet I was put on was hard as I had to loose a bit before surgery to have the non-invasive surgery so then I was afraid I would lose too much and wouldn't be able to have it..I worried for nothing..Other than that I knew I had a good surgeon.. write your questions, and ask them, don't be shy about asking for your own piece of mind and research and talk to others who have had the same surgery you are going for..

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I lost my best friend of 25 years to obesity and the illnesses that come with being over weight

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor explained each type to me, I talked to others..then the doctor and I decided togeather,I had the proximal bypass, non-invasive.

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 personally didn't have any fears about complications or dying,I had total trust in my doctor and his staff, the answers to my questions,were answered satisfactorily, from doctor and other patients, the odds were better than not having the surgery.. we each I think deal with fears in our own way, me I just don't think about it, I prefer thinking positively...wish I could be more help on this...

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 husband was all for it, my kids were worried, but are now very glad that it has worked out wonderfully..No I wouldn't change anything... My immediate family was very supportive, well accept when it came to meal time, I had to remain strong in my own right..LOL..

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

I am a Housewife, so didn't need to worry about work...

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

I had my surgery at 7p.m. I was out by noon the next day..I had to drink 10 medicine cups of water, popscicle, and ice before they would let me go home..I had no pain and didn't use much of the pain killer.. I brought a book, my nintendo DS, and most important I brought myself...lol..

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?

Nervous, tense, anticipating, ready to have it done and over with.. I walked which is part of the exercise program they started me on months before my surgery date, to help me relieve the tension of the long wait.

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

The pain was not bad, though it was painful, the meds made me sick so I quit taking them,.. I had absolutely no hunger pangs, the smell of food made me feel ill.. for the first 6 months I was on a fluid diet, which is good cause I don't think I could have eaten anyway..but I understand the diet after is up to the doctor and different for each person..

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

from the hosp. to home was a 30 min. drive, not too bad I slept most of the way. but when awake I felt car sick..

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.

after the first 6 mo. I was allowed to start eating, baby food (yuk), sugar free pudding,jello etc..If I had to have a sweetner I was told to use Splenda,absolutely never again real sugar..that lasted about 4 mo. or so. then doc said I could start on more solid foods. so I started with 1/4 piece of toast,did not go over well,but a tablespoon of mashed potatoes went ok,oatmeal,cream of wheat,boiled egg,..I just had to be careful and try each food to see how I tolerated each one, I never used to like salads, but now I love them. I can now eat a very small piece of steak if its steamed or broiled, I prefer fish or chicken breast.. all I do know is that with the testing if I eat the wrong thing, I get cramps, nausea, diahreah, and tossing my cookies..No FUN..throwing up is the worst as there is nothing to throw up even if you just ate it, I get sharp pain in my chest..I tend to avoid anything that causes these symptoms, sugar, grease, and heavy foods cause it so far..

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

1 mo. after surgery I was walking more than I ever had, though slowly, I have gotten faster, and best of all it doesn't hurt, my ankles don't swell, my knees don't hurt its great.

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

I take a multi-vitamin, perscription Iron, 1 injection of vitamin B12 every two weeks, and drink a protien drink 4 or more times a day..though now I am down to 2 or more a day because I can now eat..

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 had a bit of hair loss about a year and a half after surgery, I don't lose much anymore no more than I should, I sleep ten times better, I have dumped 4 times in the 2 years since surgery..The dumping, nausea and vomiting, to me the vomiting is the worst of the whole..I avoid those things when ever possible even though I might like it, I have already tried it and will never try it again not worth being sick to eat something that causes these symptoms

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

The wait for my turn to start my new life.

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

I don't have an after care support group perse, other than obesity . com, and a couple of other online friends, who though they haven't had or known about this weight loss surgery, have been very supportive..

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

My scars are very small, now almost silver just like stretch marks I have 6-1 inch scars across my belly above the belly button from my left to my right side. Yes I was told what to expect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Not sure I understand what is meant by plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

oh yes, men open doors, if I need help men and women both offer help..this sometimes makes me angry, because I see the difference in attitude towards me from strangers and friends alike .. before people would look away, not offer help, wouldn't even smile back.. Now Its a 180 degree change...