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

i asked my dr about it i was at my witts end. i went to a seminar on weight loss surgery

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

i called my insurance provider and asked them about the surgery and they hooked me up right away with help so i was pretty sure of what was expected of me and them right away the first thing to do is call them and ask questions

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

i had a lot of questions and believe me i asked them this is your life ask questions make a list if you have to and read from your list my dr. was very helpful and explained everything to me very well by the time i was done i knew what he was going to do and how and thw whys and wherefores

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i didn't want to wxist any longer the way i was

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i heard about all of them and i had to figure out which one was the best 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?

you are always going to thing about this but i had to have faith in my dr. and that he was going to do everything in his power to bring me through. and i believe in God and i knew He was with me

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?

they were very relieved to have me do this they were all behind me 100%

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

i waited one year after i retired because i knew it was going to be a big transsition for me and doing both would have been to much

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

the first time i attended i knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel and that i was going to survive i knew it was going to take a while but i knew i was going to make it and i was very glad i had made the decision to go

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

at first i thought i was doing great but my vitals wern't responding i wasn't bouncing back like i thought i would well i finally figured out why. the hospital bed was horrible and because of mu arthritis in my hips i couldn't sleep on the one inch thick mattress my darling husband dragged in a recliner from the sitting room and the first night i slept like a baby they had to wake me up in the am. i can laugh about it now .

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

i had had a knee replacement a few years ago and almost died from a blood clot in my lung so this surg. the dr. decided to put in a filter. that was fine a little uncomfortable but i felt good about it.at least i knew i wouldn't die from a blood clot. but when the dr. went to take out the filter it had slipped and he couldn't get it out. no big deal you say well no except the anth. wore off and i could feel him digging trying to get it out and i couldn't ask for anymore so i am glad that is over with. and i know it is there but hopefully nothing will come of it.

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 couldn't wait i was so excited i wanted it to be now. i am a little impatient at times but i knew this was the right decision and i was ready for the transformation

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

rest,rest, rest i didn't have a lot of energy and i had to adjust to what i could eat which wasn't very much but i knew it would get better but one thing that is important is to strictly obey everything the nursr,dietician,and dr tell you i made notes and lists you can only succeed if you follow everything they say to the t

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

i traveled one half hour so it was close for me i really had no problem with part of it.

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.

that is the funny part i used to love bananas but i can't tolerate the texture in my mouth now. but other than sweets i can eat most of anything but the skins of fruit i can't tolerate very much s far as foods that have been off limits i used to be a cholilate lover and i can't tolerate that and if i sneak i will pay the price and that is not prettyso follow what they tell you and they do say to stay away from sweets

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

in the days after surgery i was very tired and week but i still wanted to walk to build up my strength so i would walk the halls of my house from one end to the other exercising was to much for me i tried but it left me to weak so i would walk wallmart when i could

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

i am on quite a few and plan to stay on them i take a orange chewable multiple and vita. d and calcium andwhatever mu dr has prescribed.

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 experimented with surgar and it didn't take me long to figure out i didn't want the dumping syndrome to continue t he pain and everything associated with it was horrible.i have hair loss but we can't determine why at this point so i have an appt. with the dermatologist next july(earlist i can see them)

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

the pain from the incisions and a couple of infections from where they placed the pain pump. which i guess is common.

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

healthpartners has a wonderful program where the people call you i thing about 15 times during the procedure and after your surgery and it really has been helpful also the clinic has many things for you to check into and this has been helpful.

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

the scars are very small and they don't bother me at all. the worst is the hanging skin

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i hit a plateau where it has been harder for me to lose where i was losing a pound or 2 a day now i struggle to maintain but because it's winter i am having to find different ways to exercise.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

very much so big big difference it really is sad