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

I have read or seen things regarding Bariatric Suregery for several years, but not until this yeart did I think I was a candidate.

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

My approval was easy, unfortunatly that had to do with my risk factors, such as hypertension, elevated blood sugar and high cholesterol. Not to mention a BMI of 57.

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

Very informative, ver thorough. Be prepared with a list of questions and don't be afraid to ask about EVERYTHING you are wondering about.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My weight kept creeping higher and higher and in a matter of 2 years I put on an additional 50 lbs. My health was suffering and I was on my way to be a type 2 diabetic.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Surgeons suggestion because I had more than 150 lbs to lose.

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 did have fears about dying and I think that is normal. Surgery is a risk and if you don't have some fears you are not being realistic. My surgeon helped to ease my mind. As for complications I looked at that the same way. This is a procedure that has risks do the research, read and understand all that you can and then confront your fears and move forward.

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 only told a select few, my husband and my sisters for support and a couple of friends right before the surgery. I felt that I needed to make this decision on my own and understand it fully before I could share with anyone. So it was only in the two weeks before surgery that I told my children and those couple of friends. Everyone was supportive in their own way. I did have one friend that questioned my decision, but again that is why she found out the week before and not sooner. After the surgery, everyone was supportive and some asked why didn't I do it sooner! :)

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

I didn't tell my employer what type of surgery I was having, just that I was having surgery. I was out of work for 1 week. Had surgery Tuesday evening and was back at work the following Tuesday. Worked 6 hours the first day and then back at it as usual after that. Probably should have taken that second week off.

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

I was in the hospital for two days. The hospital was fine, but I couldn't wait to get out of there and get home! But I am like that,evenwhen I had my children, had to get out of the hospital.

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

NO

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

Just focused on the things I needed to have in order. Work, home, kids............

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

I was tired at times and concentrated on protein and water. Rest, protein and water.........the only things you need to concentrate on.

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

200 miles. Didn't effect me, except for the long ride home.

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

walking and tooling around the house was about it for the first couple of weeks. I am now up and doing whatever whenever. Need to focus on exercise, that is the hurdle I am having the hardest time with.

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

multi vitamins, calcium, Sublingual B-12 Daily

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?

No hair loss so far, sleep much better now. My husband says my snoring has subsided. I no longer wake two times a night to go to the bathroom. Nausea comes and goes. Sometimes nothing for days and other times the smallest bite of food will send me to the bathroom to vomit. Protein, like chicken tends to give me a very full, knotty feeling in my stomach.

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

The hospital stay. For me the procedure was not that bad. Some minor discomfort for the first week or so, but really less than I expected.

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

I read alot of the posts on Obesityhelp.com. I have a friend that had surgery the day after I did and we talk and support one another and I have my surgeons office that are available if I need to ask anything.

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

6 small scars less than an inch long each. Even less than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None so far. Although the week prior to my last 2 cycles, I seem to stagnate or even gain a pound or two, which disappears once my cycle is over?

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No not really.