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

My doctor told me about the surgery years ago. I wanted to do it right away but was scared about the bad side effects I was told people experience.

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 super easy. I went through the millitary facility and all I had to do was meet the requirments for the surgery. Meaning weight and co morbidities.

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

I was very nervous abotu being told no. The appointment went very well but I was given a list of things I had to do before they would put me on the surgery waiting list. I was dissapointed that I had so much to get done. Things like a check up with my GYN and such.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My depression and desire to be a better mother and wife. I was tired of missing out on life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I took the advice of my surgeon.

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 was TERRIFIED of dying during surgery. I had no fears about complications though. I knew if I could get the surgery and live through it and be lighter then it would be worth the complications. I would tell people to relax as much as posiible and put it in God's hands.

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 told only a few people. Everyone was incredibly supportive and still are.

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

I do not work outside the home.

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

It was exciting and nerve racking at the same time. It was the first step in reclaiming my life. I have no regrets. I knew before I wasn't alone but the seminare reconfirmed this for me.

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

My stay in the hospital was mixed. My stay in the ICU went very well. When I was moved to the regular unit it was horrid. My pain was not well controled and the staff is way overworked. The nurses and corpsmen were simply stretched to thin and unable to handle the load. The most important thing to bring was chapstick and lounge pants for walking in.

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

I have had one complication since the surgery. I have a bad ulcer. I take meds and see my surgeon for 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 was excited/terrified. I had several panic attacks. I wasn't nervous about having a gastric bypass, I was terrified to have surgery. I don't know how I got through it, I simply did.

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

My first few weeks were great. I was sore and in a little pain but other then that I felt really well. I was active right away. I would tell people to expect a better recovery period then they thinnk. If you do exactly what your surgeon says, you will feel better than you think you will.

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

Less than 5 miles to the hospital.

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 lived off of pudding, beans and eggs for a long time. I didn't eat much else. I do not do well with chicken. Not much else really bothers me at all.

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

A lot more active then I thought I would be. I was more active after surgery then I had been in years. That really surprised me.

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

Multi Vitamin, Calcium, Vitamin D, B-12

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 had nausea, vomiting, hair loss and very recently insomnia. I suffered badly from exhaustion. I still suffer from all of these things but it is worth it to lose the weight and get my life back. I also have a lot of dizziness. I just take my symptoms as they come.

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

The anxiety before the surgery. I was terrified of dying in surgery.

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

I have my surgical follow ups but I do not attend a support group or program.

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

The scars are not bad and they do not itch or give me any problems. They are exactly what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I experienced my first plateau at about 6 1/2 months. I have had slower periods of weight loss before that but my first plateau was at 6 1/2 months and lasted about 3 weeks. I neither gained nor lost weight during that time period.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are nicer to me and I do not get stared at. I use to be humiliated and never wanted to go out in town. Now I go out ever day as opposed to once every 1-2 weeks.