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

No problems, I have Medicare.

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

Quick and helpful, but I met him the day before my surgery, as I was pushing for quick surgery because my gall bladder had to come out.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Being on this board for 10 months and reading daily.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Seemed like the one that fit me best. Needed restriction and malabsorbtion.

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 really had no fear going into surgery, it felt right. And I had prayed a lot about it. I would tell others that no amount of worry will add one day to their lives.

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?

They 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 do not work

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

Hospital stay was great. I was discharged on day 4. The most important thing I brought were my ear plugs, the sound of the I.V. machine was vey annoying at night.

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

No

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 had my surgery the day after my consult as I had a gall bladder going down fast and needed it removed during WLS.

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

My husband and I kept my protein and water intake to the required amount from day 1. I was very tired. I didn't try to hold back on the pain meds, I took them as needed.

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

Travel time was about 2 hours. Had to stay in town for one week after surgery. Used a resident inn as it had a full kitchen for husband and myself. 1 year later-Using my PCP for my blood tests, once I get them I'll fax them to Surgeon and make an appt. I haven't seen him since 4 months out.

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.

4weeks of clear liquids, then soft foods. Ate cottage cheese, paperthin sliced FF/LF Deli meats, tuna, shrimp, fish and protein drinks. Got an ulcer @ 3 months, back to liquids because I wanted to. At 1 year, I still can't seem to eat eggs, and I don't do SF stuff, unless it's Splenda, as I dump on sugar alcohols, I can do about 15gms of sugar at a meal/snack. There are many things I haven't tried yet, I just don't care for the feeling of most foods in my pouch. I love my chili, and I make Hambean soup. I can eat my meatloaf, haven't been successful eating out yet, but haven't tried but a few times. I'm trying hard to start meal planning, as I'm feeling some hunger now, but life is problematic for me due to some side-effects from WLS w/gall bladder removal. I can eat toasted whole grain bread.

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

None, had a UTI for 9 weeks and 4 Dr.s until a friend here at OH told me to go to a urogynicologist, he found the problem and had me on the right med in 2 days, and all the pain was gone. As soon as I got out of the hospital, I started having diarreah, and didn't stop until 8.5 months out, I'd had my gall bladder out at surgery, and all Drs focused on was WLS! Finally, when in the hospital for bile duct pain, I asked the right question of the Gastroenterologist, he rolled his eyes and told me he was putting me on Cholestrymine, a powder to drink twice a day, that the bile in my intestinal tract didn't understand that it should bind to the food! After the first dose, no more diarreah! This is the same Dr. who saw me at the same local hospital at 3 months out and diagnosed my ulcer, I saw him at his office a week later, still complaining about the diarreah, and he said, just eat! So, here I am at 1 year, and I hope I'm well enough this week to start my Curves membership that I bought 2 months ago, then pulled my back, needed PT, did that, then broke my toe; I see the podiatrist for my toe on this coming Tues.

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

B-12, Iron, Calcium, Multis. Protein powder. Just started potassium.

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?

Dumping, only 4 times. Hair loss isn't bad, growing back in nicely and didn't lose too much. Foamies are nasty! Hair loss: at 1 year regrowth is at 2.5 inches, blends in with my original hair just fine. Dumping: Still dump on too many bad carbs close together, and most sugar alcohols. How to cope? Realize that it's part of what you wanted and to try and just rest/lay down and ride it out, know that it will be over in an hour or two, that's really not very long, when the rest of your health picture is so improved for the rest of your life!

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

There's no support groups in my area! I'd have to drive hours! And I live in San Diego County! For crying out loud! I know, I should start one.

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

There are no support groups within 2 hours from here. I use the board for my questions and support. At 1 yr out: I need a support group, and if someone doesn't start one soon, I'm going to!

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

I had lap, so barely noticable. Yes, I expected it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a one week stall about three weeks out and a 10 day stall about 6 weeks out. I've had a 2 more stalls since the above. I'm at goal, and my body knows it!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, they're (especially men) much more likely to smile at me, look me in the eye, and men even act interested.