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

Years before I heard of it and contemplated it but never took the steps until I had an "intervention"

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

The only problem that I had with the insurance approval process is collecting all the required documentation fromall of my past doctors. Once I obtained all the support the approval went really fast.

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

The first visit was a collective Q & A session with personal questions being asked afterward. I beleive that having researched rhe different procedures prior to the meeting gave me a good idea of the kinds of questions or concerns that I had. I was able to get all those question answered which put me at ease about the procedure.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had an intervention from my father. He called me and told me that my weight was jeapordizing my life and then I also saw a picture of myself which put my in clear connection with the reality that my weight was way out of control.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did research and I chose the surgery that I felt had the best clinical result for long-term weight loss..the duodenal switch.

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 really didnt have any fears about any complications. I was at ease.

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 family and friends were very supportive and rather encouraged the procedure. Of course there were some who expressed a negative opinion but being the decisive person I am I completely ignored them. To date most are still supportive and encourage me to continue on with improving my overall health.

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

I was met with equal support from my job. I was out of work for four weeks.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

The first information seminar was nerve wrecking bu very informational. I was glad that I attended because my questions were answered.

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

My stay in the hopsital was really quite a blur because I was so heavily medicated. I was there for four days. The most important thing to bring is comfortable clothes.

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

None

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

Initially the shock of not being able to turn to food as my eotional crutch was very difficult. Further, theinability to eat the foods you love in the quanitity that you were once use to take some time to adjust. I prayed alot and vented a lot to my family about the issues I had. I also took an anti-depressent.

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

The first few weeks in my opinion are the most difficult time. You have a roller coaster ride of emotions as well as physical challenges. If a person can get through this time in once peice than they can make it. Its also confusing with the food intake and vitamins and all the rules but it does get better.

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

It was about a five mile drive. No affect on aftercare at all.

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 could only eat soft things like yogurt and applesauce..the eating expereince was very dull and lack luster to me during this time. I gre very tired of my food choices. The tougher items such as chicken etc were very difficult to eat unless pureed.From that time til now I have been able to enjoy a greater variety of foods. I still have to eat slow and there are still some textures of food that do not agree with me.

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

I began to exercise very vigourosly once I was released to do so. I began by walking and then I started taking zumba and from there I have done so many different exercises that I did not think I could.

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

I take a multi vitamin, vitamin d, iron, an omega-three, a weekly b1, a weeky b-12, and calcium.

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?

The vomiting and the feeling that I might choke if I ate too much or too fast. The way I coped was to not eat too fast and I also learned what the correct combination of foods were for me.

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

The first month after the surgery.

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

The support that I have relied on has been from my family, specificallly my mother.

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

I had lathroscopic DS, so I have five small scars..they do not bother me at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have plateud probably five or six times. They are VERY frustrating but I have learned to be patient because within time ones body will continue to lose weight again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes people do treat me differently. My husband looks at me with more admiration. Eveyrbody rants and raves about my change in expereince. I also notice that people are more willing ot help me in clothing stores. It feels good and bad at the same time. It shows how superficial people really are.