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

I am a nurse so I knew about it for a long time, I didn't think that it was for me. Plus for years all you ever heard was how dangerous it was. So I was very scared of it. through the years as it was prefected, I became more interested and started to research it.

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

My insurance co. approved me after my surgeon's office contacted them the first time. I had no problems with this.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was great. There was so much information given to me that I was overwhelmed for a while, but it all sunk in quickly. I was so happy to finally get started with my new live that it was easy to retain all the information. I think that if you have a list of questions to ask your surgeon that will help so you don't forget anything. My husband was with me that helped by having someone else listen to all the info.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The thing that made me deside to have the surgery was my health. I know how being obese will cause all kinds of problems and I did not want to continue down that road. To me it was time to change the roller coaster ride that I have been on. I was so tired of the yo-yo diet's the loses and re-gains and more weight added.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon told me about the different types of surgeries available and what one he felt would be the best for me. The open rny was the best choice 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?

The complication that I was most worried about was my respitory status. I was a smoker and did not want to have any problems. So I quit smoking. It was alot easier than I expected, I wanted the surgery more than the cigarette. I really wasn't afraid of death because I felt so sure of my surgeon, he record of surgeries was great. I think that if you do what your surgeon tells you than you shouldn't have to much trouble.

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?

My family and friends were very supportive. I didn't tell alot of people pre-op because I felt that it was my choice and I didn't want to hear others comments about my life. After surgery so far most people are supportive and have a lot of questions. I have had only a few people that were not supportive, I think because of fear or because they have no knowledge about the surgery.

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

my hospital stay was very nice everyone treated me so well. I was in for 4 days, surg. on thurs morn.,home late sunday afternoon. the most important thing for me was chap stick my lips were so dry.

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

no complications at all. I really didn't have any surgical pain, just gas pain, that went away the more I walked.

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 FELT TIRED ALOT FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS POST-OP. I HAD TO MAKE MYSELF GET UP AND GET MOVING. THANK GOD FOR MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND, HE HELPED ME SO MUCH KEEPING ME GOING, SUPPORTING ME, AND TIEING MY SHOES...

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

YOU NEED HELP WITH THE LITTLE THINGS, TIEING YOUR SHOES, GETTING OUT OF THE SHOWER. YOU GET TIRED FAST.

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

MY TRAVEL WAS ONLY ABOUT 20 MILES, SO THAT WAS NO PROBLEM. JUST AVOID THE BUMPS ON THE WAY HOME.OUCH

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 WAS ON LIQUIDS ONLY FOR TWO WEEKS POST OP, THEN STAGE ONE DIET WAS EASY PROTEIN COTTAGE CHEESE, EGGS, GROUND MEAT. SOME TROUBLE WITH THE GROUND MEAT AT FIRST, THEN STAGE TWO WAS A MONTH LATER, THAT WAS CUT UP MEAT AND MORE FRUITS AND VEG. MORE LIKE NORMAL MEALS. STAGE THREE STARTED AT ABOUT THREE MONTHS POST-OP YOU CAN EAT RAW VEGGIES, SALAD THINGS LIKE THAT. I FOUND THAT I DONT DO WELL WITH PROCESSED MEAT LIKE HAM, OR SAUSAGE. TO SALTY AND GREASY.

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

slow at first then as the days went by I gained more strength and my activity level increased so much that by 3 months my husband was keeping up with me.

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

I take two chewable multivits a day and two calcium a day.

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 some trouble after surgery sleeping because of the drain tube, once that came out I slept better. Nausia once in a while when I started eating soft food but it was usually because I tried to eat to fast. My hair loss started at about 4.5 months post-op, it is a little worse now at 6 months but to bad. I use a good shampoo nioxin and condition well, I use a hot oil treatment with protein once a week now that seems to help.

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

THE WORST PART FOR ME WAS THE DRAIN TUBE. I HAD VERY LITTLE SURGICAL PAIN, BUT THE TUBE WAS VERY PAINFUL. I COULDN'T WAIT TO GET THAT OUT.

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

I seen my surgeon at two weeks after the drain tube came out then once a month for two months now it is every three months. We have support group once a month, that is very helpfull to see all the peoples progress and talk to new people who are thinking about wls, or who have just had it. I feel this is a big help to be able to get together with the group.

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

My scar is about 6 inches long, it is thin and now is getting lighter in color. I think that it doesn't look to bad. I feel it is a small price to pay for such great results. I don't mind it at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had a few plateau's it is very upsetting, so I increase my h2o intake and up the protein. I try to increase my activity also. This helps.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have had a lot of responce from people most is very possitive, but some is very negative. I find this is usually because people do not know about wls and are afraid to ask. So I try to educate them about it.I think for the people who treat me badly they are envious or just uneducated about wls and how it helps the morbidly obese become healthier and happier.