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

I am a hairstylist and several of my clients had had it and a dear friend..this was in the 80's

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

I went thru all of the hurdles and did what I was suppose to do actually for me it only took about 5 months. My advice Patience....

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

Wonderful liked her from the start and respected her accomplishements.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to feel better and be able to do things..

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Because of my age 58 wanted to get the weight off quick so the RNY was the way to go

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?

Those fears are normal. I was like a cat with all 4 legs out but put my faith in God and the surgeon that every thing would be alright and it most definitely was..

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?

Very supportive..I think they were concerned especially my only sister I took her to several of the support group meetings before hand (she took more notes than I did)

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

NA

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

It was very informative gave all the options..my first seminar was in VA I also liked that doctor..but after my surgery was approved we had moved back to TN

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

The stay was fine Ihad my surgery on Fri morning..Sat was the worse day felt nauseated but they handled that well..I went home Sun afternoon

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

None

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

It was an adjustment of course but taking one day at a time for me my mom died unexpectedly 3 weeks after the surgery so the stress from all of that made me sicker than most I feel..after that I have been fine..and occasional upset if something doesn't agree but not much now and I am 10 months out..114lbs gone

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

It is hard for me to say as in another answer my mom died 3 weeks after surgery and that took a big toll on me..but just learning how to eat again by small sizes was the biggest adjustment but you aren't hungry so that is good..

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

Not far at all maybe 10 miles

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.

Nothin with the least amount of butter in it..again the first couple of months were different for me because of the stress in family...after about 3 months I still had to be careful and just try things..ice cream is a no no..2%milk I can't do no problem with skim milk at all..a lot of things I just leave alone no desire for them and that is a good thing..

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

It was the beginning of winter for me so the biggest thing I did was walk my dog..and usually he walks me..

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

Please don't yell..doc recommends Flintstones and that is what I take 2 a day ( my 6 month labs were wonderful)and I do take the calcium chews from GNC..and still drink my protein drinks

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 can still happen but not very often. no sleep disturbance at all dumping rarely only if I eat something I know I shouldn't hair loss was not too bad but I made sure I kept my protein going..

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

Maybe now the loose skin on my legs and breasts..Food is not an issue for me now. Maybe also the drinking water at first slowly..sometimes even now if I eat too fast it is a very uncomfortable feeling so you learn and remind yourself not to do that.

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

I go occasionally to the support group meetings.However I have a couple of friends who have had it and can always talk to them..it is important to have someone.

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

Hardly noticeable at all..yes it is what I expected just the little incisions..I had no drain tube which I was very thankful for.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

mine have not been bad at all..Probably the last couple of months it has been a lot slower such as this month I have only lost 4 pounds total but I am 10 months out and have reached my goal...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really..one time before when I was in my late 30's and lost I did notice that but I think my personality changed also and i was premenapausal which I think made a difference then..but not this time..