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

My cardiologist said if I didn't have it I would probably dye.

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

My doctor's off handled it. And it was easy. I had many co-morbitities.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Fear of Dying and then meeting with Dr. Chae.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Docotr told me I was eligible for Lap RNY

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 was petrified. Put all my affairs in order. Prayed hard. So afraid I couldn't breathe at times. I would do it all again in a minute for the life I have been given.

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?

I had a family member say some negative things about it when I first brought it up so I postponed it for another 75 lb weight gain. The only thing I would have done differently was no have waited so long. And been more true to myself.

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

I worked at the hospital so they understood perfectly.

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

I was i the step down unit for 4 days. Went home for one day and came back for one day. This was only because I did not take my pain meds when I got home. I thought they were to strong....DUH!

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

Nothing to really speak about.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Scared to dealth. Went to the support group for my Doctor's office. And talked outloud about it with post-ops.

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

I watched the food channel for some god aweful reason, which I never do. I tried to eat something I shouldn't have way to soon. And it almost killed me. I cooked these huge meals for my family memebers that I wouldn't usually do. Weird head trip around food. But I was never hungry during the first while of my recovery.

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

Maybe 10 miles. Did not effect after care

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 made the mistake of thinking I was allowed a 1/2 cup of things instead of a 1/4 cup. Opps! Absolutely love warm foods like mashed potatoes and scrambled egg. It was so funny because just a nice hot cup of tea was so special. I craved the warmth for some reason. I ate a soggy tortilla chip from some nachos I made for the family at about 3 weeks. I thought I was going to die. After 5 years I still have'nt got much tolerance for beef, like steaks, or noodles. They just "stick in my craw." I never did develop the habit of drinking around my meals, I guess that was a life saver. I really never was hungry. I had to focus on reminding myself to eat 3 or more meals a day.

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

Rest and small walks around the neighborhood escorted.

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

Major liguid B-Complex. I also have to take iron injections at home once a week for the rest of my life because my ferritin is so low and will not come up on it's own. I have no vitamin D and am low on calcium also. The iron issue kicked my butt.

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 get a bit of dumping syndrome. Yeah. I really lost my desire for sweets, which I was really big on before my surgery. It's just not worth it to eat them. I get hot flashes, sweating and diareha still.

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

University Hospital and the nurse's education on bariatric surgery. Also, Dr. Chae left University within a month of my surgery. He told me I was welcome to come for aftercare to Sky Ridge. But then my husband died accidentally shortly after that so I did not go to support groups or take the vitimins as I should have. And I did not exercise either. But I lost 135 lbs anyway.

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

I unfortunately did not ever attend any aftercare for two reasons. One was my surgeon left the hospital and I worked there and did not care for the new doctor. Also, my husband was killed in an accident shortly after so I was totally focused on all of the business at hand that surrounds that issue. And I was dropping wieght.

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

No even as bad as my lap gall bladder surgery previously. Very small marks. Yes, this is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had continued to lose weight until just recently. About a year ago I quit going to my dance class and changed to a sit down job. So I have put on 20 lbs in the past 6 months. Ouch!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

people do mention things like my god you look so good and healthy blah blah.