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

Years and years ago I must of been 7 or 8 and a friend of the familys child had it done and looked great. but she had it done when they used staples and has since gained all and plus some back. A couple of my friendshad it done within the last 10 years and are doing ok today.

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

had no problems . went on my own and seen a dietician to help me start to be on a plan and talked openly with my doctors and got there feed back.

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

I'm from rochester ,mn. home of the great mayo clinic and many have wondered why i choose to go 90 miles away to get my surgery done and its very simple. Rochester doctors are rude, to busy , most are unfriendly and they have no bed side manner,not all but most here are like that. when you go to a doctor and they make you feel like your a waste of time and they are seeing you out of duty thats not right. to professional in that they don't see you as an equal. Not once , ever-Even on the phone have I ever felt like this from Dr. Benn or his office staff. they have been very wonderful to me. and honest. sorry back to the question- his whole team made me feel very will informed and treated me with repect and warmth and have been up front, honest and very kind.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

always have been heavy and took it for granted that I was ok but as i got older things weren't always easy fopr me to accomplish, and I'd say last year or so things had become more difficult . had trouble walking to do any shopping or even excersise and began to get very short of breath even after alittle excurtion. this was a big concern for me sometimes i would get like chest aches and that scared me about my heart, so far i've had no trouble but I have put a strain on my nheart all these years and I was noticeing changes. Also I have a wonderful 12 year old daughter that i love very much and Iwantto be able to enjoy my life more healthier with her.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Increase of weight and shortness of breath and normal activities were gettingharder to get done.

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 have been in the nurseing field all my life and I can honestly tell you there is no one who can truely say they never had any fear about complications or of dying. It just happens I feel because of the fear of the unknown. Plus there are always risks in any surgery no matter what it is . and its normal to ponder on it and think about it and worry alittle about it. I have even went and made amence with people in case i would not make it. Told my family what my wishes are and have wrote to everyone who is special to me even if in a letter to let them know how much they mean to me and how much i love them. This is just something I feel like I want to do,and feel better just incase.only the one above can truely say. so i felt like I wanted to take care of unfinished bussiness just incase. as far as worrying well we all know that doesn't do very good anyways because we have no control on things. So the only advise I can gtve is what i'm doing for myself. Try and relax and think positive about everything, IT ALL....because there IS NOT anything any of us can do anyhow. take it one day at a time . I'm not going to tell you not to feel any way really. we all have fears and worry and so we all must just face them fears because they are real and its ok to be scared and worry about this big life change. just know that its normal and stay positive, stay in the moment and pray.. god bless everyone of you.

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 has been very supportive and helpful.

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

i am not working at this time thank you

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

Very good.went in on a friday and out on sunday morning. positive attitude and personal care things and robe and slippers

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

had good recovery not much pain-- alittle problem with throwing up at times.

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 anxietous very much so but also grateful for m y journey to begin..I was so miserable at this timen my life.

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

take it day by day and rest and be good to yourself and stay positive during your journey to a new you.

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.

off limits- dairy products wasn't at first at first potatoes even mashed now I can eat them anything at moderation --try to keep it diet stuff.

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

Increased as the weeks went by. Did alot of walking that was my best excersise.

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

calcium . daily vitamin- vitimin b6

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?

nausea , vomiting, some dumping , some hair loss but not alot. the first 6 months more so than now. now its occasional.

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

the waiting for surgery date.

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

From this site ans some support groups in my town .

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

Just little slits. no I expected to have to be cut. grateful I didn't but I was ready emotional just in case.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

1st 6 months was dramatic weight loss then the inches have just been comein off so when they tell you to exercise the 1st 6 months there a reason. my weight is at a stand still but I still have high hopes to meet my goal weight of 180lbs

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes very much so . How sad it is that ppl. judge you by your weight. This is still really upsetting to me .