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

Had heard of the surgery, but not details until a co-worker went through it, and then it got my full attention. Just the though that there might be a chance was exciting.

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

insurance was a pain, but worth the work keep after them

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

mine was short,23 hours, and i slept through most of that, you really need to have someone stay that first night in case you need help. nurses do not always appear when you press the button

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

i had a blood clot in my iv arm, due to a malfunction of a machine and the nurses not attending to it on time, wound up in the ER with a raging fever and a very painful arm, but the surgery part was ok

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 nervous about complications, but i got busy planning for the what ifs, my kids futures and stuff like that. The learning of what you can and cannot tolerate was a try it and see thing. the main thing is to try one thing at a time so you KNOW what is a no- go.

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

The first week is painful, i won't lie, then gradually walking and getting out of bed doesn't hurt any more. the main thing is when adding something new do it in very small amounts, that way if it doesn't work, there is less to throw up.

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

20 miles, no affects

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.

still cannot eat bread, any sweet tasting sauces on food is out, the fist month was all soups and pudding, after that gradually added most things, still no sugar added products, no bread, and if meat is tough there is no use eating it, it will not stay down.

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

weak and dizzy, but do able

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?

seven months out the hair loss was scary, it was like i had radiation, not totally bald but was really worried it would go there, but it all came back after my system realized i wasn't starving. The bad thing was not knowing what would cause the dumping, something totally normal could throw me into fits. I spent a whole concert throwing up because of some sugar in a chicken fajita.

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

The worst was the occasional food reaction, without warning. But it did improve as i learned

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

there are five people at work that have had this done, we all swap stories and clothes, it is great. Now there are five more behind us, and they all come to us for advice.

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

i have five 1 inch scars that do not look like scars. better than i expected. the scars are barely there now after nine months out, and it is fine.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none really there may be a week you do not loose, but the next week 4 lbs disappear

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

very few, strangers are friendlier but most of the people that know me are pretty normal. Now after nine months and close to 100 lbs, things have changed. people that barely know me are congratulating me, my family are saying i am too skinny, and my ex husband thinks i am half dead with an incurable disease, but i feel great, and it shows in my self confidence in meeting new people.