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

I went to an information meeting and I was so ready to get on with it that I filled out the papers and turned them in the same night. Anne

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

I had to go through denial and appeals for three times. Just keep trying and go to your insurance commissioner if you need to. Anne

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

He was the best. So encourageing, he really seemed to feel my pain. He has a really nice nurse to that was encouaging. Anne

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

As I said earlier, I was so ready. Anne

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted it open, so that they could fix anything that needed it while they were in there and they did so. My gall bladder was ready to erupt and I am so thankful that I had decided to have this surgery. They removed it of course and hopefully now I will live a long life. Healthy!!!!!!!! Anne

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 had confidence in my surgeon and I did not have any fear. I have always been a very positive person and I think that is why everything seemed to work out so well. Hang in there. Anne

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?

Some worried about me going through with it, but it was my decission. I got a lot of support and still do mostly by my husband , since I'm not real near the rest of the family. Anne

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

I was already retired. Anne

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

I had no problem with the surgery and very little pain. I went home on the third day. take your hair brush, toothbrush and toothpaste, and a robe so that wehn you get up and walking you could cover up you hospital gown. Anne

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

none

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 so ready that I just hung in there. I did not have to have that last meal, because I had had so many. I had started watching what I ate and started my protine and stayed away from sweets. I waited about 1 1/2 years throughout all the appeals, so therefore I lost about 40 lbs during that time. Anne

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

I did need a walker to help me up from the toilet and for getting around because of my knees, but otherwise I was just fine. I started getting out of the house to walk and shop the next week. Anne

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

I had about 45 to 50 miles back and forth from home. The night before surgery, my husband and I stayed at a hotel near the hospital. Anne

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 stayed on liquids for the first two weeks. Then soft foods for the next two weeks. I used to get terrible cramps every once in a while, but I never really detected what would cause them. Possibly something I ate that had sugar in it and I didn't realize it. I still to this day do not eat any sugar. I do not drink any caffine, or seltzer drinks. Anne

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

I started walking the day of surgery and I haven't stopped since. I probably started out in feet trips. but now after a couple of weeks I walk about 1 to 2 miles a day. And as I said in my update I started working out with a personal trainer 6 weeks after surgery. Anne

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

I did chewable vitamins and via. B shots for the first year. Then I went to regular multi. vitamins and Vita. B pills. I still do that today. I do vita. C and E as needed. Anne

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 didn't have any of the above. I think no hair loss was because I started the protine before surgery. I still take my protine every day as soon as I get up and around. It is like brushing teeth, showering, getting dressed and then protine is my habits daily. Anne

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

I didn't experience anything bad. Anne

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

I have been involved with a support group since my first day at the info. meeting every thurs. every week. It is lead by a great and wonderful man that is a psycologist. His name is Wayne Hulon and he gives his heart and soul to each and everyone of us that go. I have been going since April 2001 and I try not to miss any week unless I am out of town. That is another one of my priorities. Just like exersize. That is for my success with this surgery. We have a very srtong group of about 30 people that hardly miss. Anne

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

It is shrinking and hardly noticeable. Anne

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I didn't have any. I lost slowly, but had a loss every week. Anne

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have always had really good friends and am easy to like, so therefore I haven't seen much change at all. A lot of compliments but I would be told that sometimes before surgery. Anne