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

I heard about it on a medical show... was very against it at first!!!1

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

It wasn't too bad.. just nerve racking!!!! VERY nerveracking, cause you want them to give you an answer NOW, and of course there just doing there jobs, so it's nothing to them!!!! My advice to everyone would be to .. just stay strong dont give up if your having problems, and call them all the time, that way they get sick of hearing from you and they finally give you an answer!!!!!!!

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

He was very nice and personable, and also very impressed that I had researched so much on the surgery! He took his time in going over the whole procedure and what to except!!!! He also made sure that if we (mom, husband or I) had any questions, he would answer them right away with out any hesitation!!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

wanting my life back!!!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with what my Dr. does... although I'm glad that he does his RNY's open, but thats just my preference.... nutin wrong with people having Lap... I just felt safer with the open!

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 REALLY nervous all the way up until the day of surgery!! Then the day of.. I wasn't nervous at all, didn't cry or anything, which really surprised me!!

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 supportive of this from the get-go, which really has helped throught the whole thing!! If it wasn't for there support.. I dont know what I would have done!!!! My heart goes out for the people that dont have anyone with them!!!

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

My stay wasn't too bad, the staff was all really nice! I have no complaints about my stay at all!!!! I ended up staying for 6 days, due to pnumonia, and a partially collapsed lung!!

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

nope 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?

I was excited of course, but also scared at the same time! The only thing I was worried about was not waking up!!! I just talked alot to my mom and husband and my friends at work!!!

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

I was ready to come home by the time I left (arnt we all though ), I was alil apprhensive to come home and be far away from the hosp, just in case something did happen! I was very weepy when I got home... I could cry at the drop of a hat!! Seems funny now

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

traveled 2 hrs to get there

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.

Well everything I have tried so far, has aggread with me... I dont kow wether that's good or bad!!!!! LOOL

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

when I first got home... I really couldn't sleep, and having the incision made it impossible to sleep in bed, so for a good couple weeks.. the recliner was my friend!! LOL.... I did a lot of walking around the house!!!

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

I take 2 Flinstones vitamins a 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?

nothing bothered me that much... I was very lucky

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

the not being able to sleep in my own bed for a couple weeks!!! other than that I wouldn't change it for the world!!!!

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

I have to say I have yet to go to one!!!!

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

My scar is about 12 inches long.... it is what I figured it would look like... I kinda like it!!!! LOL

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had a few but none that have lasted so long that they have frightend me... if I noticed one.. I would stay awat from the scale for as long as possible!!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really I try not to pay attention to ignorant people!.. LOLOL