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

My aunt had it done many years ago and a friend had it done a year ago

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

I can't say that I really had any problems with the insurance. I met all the criteria so there really wasn't an issure.

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

Go in with an open mind and ask questions. Write them down if you have to. Be sure you did your homework, you will understand more of what the dr will tell you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of me....I couldn't do my job to the full capacity. And I wanted to be sure I was gonna be around when my youngest daughter gets married.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did alot of research on both and found that open would be 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?

I know people don't believe me when I say I didn't have fears of complications from the surgery....my fear was not living if I didn't have the surgery

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 all very supportive. They knew I had to do something.

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

There were alot of mixed feelings about it, of course since I work for surgeons that really didn't help. But I think with them all seeing I wasn't scare and was ready for this step.

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

I stayed at the hospital for 5 days. It really wasn't all that bad. My biggest thing was when could I wash my hair....I hate that feeling. The nurses and staff were great.

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

Not a one....thank God.

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

It was life as usual....my mind was made up....no second thoughts and no turning back

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

It's a learning period, just follow directions and don't just lay around you won't be doing yourself any good. Get up and walk around.

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

the hospital was 30 min away...not far 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.

soupy foods are the beginning....nothing with seeds. I can pretty much eat anything...but let me tell you, you know when it's too much. I have good days and bad days. Something I can have today may not agree with me tomorrow. You will find what works for you

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

limited at first, but then as time went on more energy and flexibility. I could climb a flight of steps with out huffing and puffing. Great feeling

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

Flintstone Complete (2), B12 liquid, Calcium tablets try to find all chewables.....easier for you in the long run

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?

take it one day at a time. I was loosing my hair from lack of protien. Nausea wasn't too bad for me but I know some have had that bad.

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

the scar....if I have to pick something. I am very please with the progress and results. I wouldn't change anything,

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

Friends and family have been my best suppot. There are quite of few of us from the squad that I belong to that had this done...so we pretty much are our own support group.

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

it's a typical scar.....yes it's what I expected wish it would fade a bit more and quicker.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Im not as devastated with the plateaus as I would be with a regular diet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I hate to say this but yes I do