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

I probably heard about WLS through a television news magazine. I don't remember.

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

I didn't have any problems with my insurance company. I guess I was lucky. The staff at my surgeon's office took care of everything. I had all of the doctors that I was seeing for my various ailments write letters to the insurance company stating that they believed that I would benefit greatly from WLS. Being prepared is key!

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

My first meeting went great. Dr. Faulkenberry was awesome. He was kind and compassionate. He answered all my questions without hesitation. I felt I was in great hands from the initital meeting.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was 40 when I had my surgery and my daughter was 5 at the time. My health was beginning to get bad and I was scared that I wouldn't live to see her grow up.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance company approved the gastric bypass.

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 so ready for this surgery that I didn't really have any fears. I did a lot research on the internet. I would tell others to be SURE before going through with WLS. Get a good surgeon. Do your due diligence and check up on your doctor.

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 partner had the surgery 2 months before I did. My parents were afraid but supportive. My friends were very supportive.

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

I had no problems with my employer, supervisor, or co-workers.

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 fine. I was in the medium care unit for 3 days - the expected stay.

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

I had no complications.

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 great after my surgery. I had very little pain. I took one dose of pain medication when I arrived home from the hospital (I had an hours drive). After that, I didn't need anything for pain. I remember commenting that I was feeling better by the hour.

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

I was pretty sore after my surgery, but overall, I felt great. I could feel myself feeling better by the hour.

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

I live in a small town outside of Austin, Texas. I traveled less than an hour and my aftercare was not affected 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.

I progressed through the usual post surgery diet really well. There were few foods that I did not tolerate. I was pretty sick of chicken broth, though! I was on a regular diet within 8 weeks. Today, I can eat anything that I want. Foods that are high in sugar and fat bother me sometimes. Beef is very hard to digest still. But the way I look at it, I probably have had a lifetime share of those foods anyway.

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

I was pretty sore, but I was amazed at how much I could do. I returned to work after 2 weeks without any problems.

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

Every day I take: 2 multivitamins 3 calciums 2 iron tablets 1 B12 sublingual dose

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 occasionally have nausea or dumping when I eat too fast or foods that are high in sugar and/or fat. I try to limit high fat/sugar foods as a result.

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

NOTHING!!!!

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

My partner and I had the surgery together. We support each other very much. I don't think either one of us would have been successfull at losing the weight if we hadn't done it together.

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

I had a lap procedure so I have minimal scaring.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I kept losing weight at a steady rate until I reached my goal weight of 140 pounds. I have been there for 5 months. I don't think I ever really plateaued for longer than a week or two.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I deffinitely feel that I am treated differently. I am no longer "invisible" to retail sales people.