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

A friend mentioned it.. then I researched the web.. I found this site and scowered it for info

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

My program took care of everything.. Harvard Pilgrim approved me in a day

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

My first visit was great.. I was prepared Interview them and ask all the questions you want to ask.. write them down before you go.. be prepared.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Research.. and being done with that prison of a body

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I think I have a low metabolism therefore I chose the surgery based on how nutrients a re bsorbed..

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?

Loads.. but I worked through them with my family, friends, and yes therapist.. highly recommended.. highly

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?

In the end everyone has been supportive.. sigh.. I'm lucky. I gave my people all the books that I had read so that they could get educated on the matter.. that really helped. My mom who was totally against it at first.. is now the surgery's and my biggest advocate.. She's on this site all the time reading profiles

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

Did not tell my employer all the knitty gritties.. it wasn't their business really. I told them I was having a medical procedure and that I needed the time off.. that's it.

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

Loud.. but I decided to stay and extra day (3 total) because I was still dealing with the Fleet after the surgery.. too much gas!! scary. Bring earplugs.. relaxing music.. easy to read mags

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

No major 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?

I ate.. but then I chilled out and realized I would be able to eat again.. so I was able to not go out of control.. I saw a counselor to deal with my questions and anxiety.. it really helped

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

I slept a lot.. I was also pretty weak and tired.. and a little sad. But.. that goes away pretty quickly

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

BMC is about an hour and 10 minutes form my house on Cape Cod

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.

Nothing with bits in the first three weeks.. all liquid.. I loved smartforme.com products and gagged on everything else. Started mushy food after 3 weeks. Started carbs after 12 weeks.

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

Walked everyday until I was cleared to join a gym 4 weeks out.

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

Mutlivitamin, Vivactin, biotin, b-12, and iron

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?

none

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

The gas from the Fleet right after surgery and the the kidney stones I got about 7 months out

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

I go to group meetings at Cape Cod Hospital and Boston Medical Center. I've seen my Dietician and Surgeon every other month in the last year.

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

small.. minimal.. I expected them to be worse

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have a plateau after every pound that I loose. I have only lost 2 pounds in the last twon months and I am only 10 months out.. still doing everything right

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes.. I'm not longer ingnored at clothing stores.. men hit on me too much.. people are nicer.. olr maybe I'm just nicer.. I don't know