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

My friend Donna...........thank you dear friend !!!!!

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

Be patient and stay on top of the specialists you have to go to.

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

Dr Davidson was awesome. He was very patient and even though he knew I was a nurse he still explained it all to me as though I was Joe cool off the street. He is young, knowledgable and above all patient......I felt confident in him from the start. I chose him when I heard him speak at one of the support roup meetings and an elderly man asked the same question over and over but just worded it differently..........Dr Davidson answered each one over and over.......I knew then he was the Doc for me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health. I am convinced w/o this intervention I will die.....I have too much to do yet........

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I really did not have a choice but again Dr Davidson helped me realize the Gastric Bypass was actually the better way to intervene due to my health issues.

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?

My only fear is throwing up after surgery......I hate to vomit.......always have. As far as dying......God doesn't have rom for me so I have to stay here with everyone I love till He does..... As for others???? Write your fears down on paper.......ask your doctor about each one.....say a prayer and tear it up and throw it away..........Fears were meant to be conquered.....not saved.

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?

So far everyone in my family and my friends are so happy for me. They are also all on notice to keep after me if I falter or try to get out of a workout.

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

They really did not say much. My co-workers were shocked but understood my reasoning. They asked ALOT of questions post operatively. I was out of work for 3 weeks. I could have returned in 2 BUT the weather was so nice I stayed off another week.

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

I had surgery on a Tuesday and was discharge a 1pm on Thursday. The stay was a bit of a blur. It is important to note that the day after surgery was aweful BUT the rest of the time was OK. Bring your insurance cards, cellphone and a good sense of humor and willingness to get out of bed and walk. Leave your dignity at home.......LOL

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

Absolutely none.....Like I said above the day after surgery was the worst but the rest went textbook fine..

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

The only problem I experienced was insomnia for the few weeks following the surgery. I could not turn off my brain when I got into bed.....so I timed my pain pill (even though I did not have pain) at bedtime to make me sleepy.

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

I walked....walked....walked.....Each day 5 times a day I would get up at 6am, get ready and walk. It really helped with my gas and abdominal discomfort. Keep your incisions clean and dry. Try to keep your normal wake up and go to sleep schedule the same so your body returns as soon as possible rather than having to readjust "again" when you return to work. Also do not expect a bowel movement everyday like preop.....maybe 3-4 days at best.....be patient it will come......

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

1/2 hour from my front door to the hospital AND the surgeon's office.

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 have come to realize I can eat anything BUT ir has to be chopped or ground, 1/4 - 1/3 cup only and most of that is protein and acceptable veges a 1 tsp starch. I HAVE to eat very slowly and chew it up well......My surgeon said if I am satisfied with this I can remain this way and my body will tell me when to advance......

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

At 3 weeks post op I was walking 1/2-3/4 miles per day and I am about 8 weeks post op and am now up to 1 mile 5 days a week plus my 1/2-3/4 per day. I also go to CURVES 3 days a week and will begin strenth training once a week soon to tone.

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

I am taking a liquid B-12 sublingual everyday and a prenatal vit with iron every 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 have vomited 3 times since my surgery all due to eating too fast (my fault); As above I had several bouts of insomnia post op but that has resolved; and yes my hair is thinning BUT I know this will pass. These side effects are small potatoes compared to the health benefits I have gotten from this journey.

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

NOTHING........anbolutely NOTHING

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

I LOVE the support meetings......they are so benficial....plus I get to see eveyone. They are only monthly so they are easy to fit into my schedule.

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

I have 5. They are healing very nicely and I will be getting Mederma soon to lighten them up.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

NONE.....

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

There have been a few that just say nothing but their "looks" tell it all. For the most part I have been lavished with praise and support.