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

I found out around the year 2000 had heard of it before but never met anyone until the year 2000 and started checking into it.

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

My insurance took quite awhile to approve, I did get fustrated, but they did approve about about 3 months of sending papers back and forth and getting an extensive report from my primary doctor to recommend surgery.my advice is to stay on top of things don't assume they are doing the paperwork

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

Go in with questions lots of questions. See if they are willing to give you time or not. that is important to me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My blood pressure was high we were spending alot of money on medications a month my knees were giving out and I was so severely depressed with my weight.My sister had it done 2 years before me and is doing great.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched online, my sister had the open procedure and I had it laproscopic.

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 didn't I am a christian and I prayed, went in with peace and researched my surgeon out well.

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 and husband were all concerned my husband did not want me to do it but it was initally my decision.

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

n/a

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

I was at the Doctors hospital of Manteca in Ca. and it was good, they have wonderful nurses. I stayed 3 days.

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

No, I have not.

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 kept busy with my house and projects as much as possible. I have a good family to talk to.

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

Have your food bought and taken care of, house in order, laundry, cleaning and such. Have your vitamins all taken care of. My first week home was easy, I didn't to much, I slept and rested alot, watched much TV. and puttered about the house I could not lift things.

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

I had a 2 and a half hour drive to Manteca, I didn't have to but wanted this doctor. I stayed in the hospital 3 days stayed an hour away at my daughters for the rest of the week until I went home. My aftercare has been fine.

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.

first week, jello, broth, water, 2nd week, pretty much same, some egg, cottage cheese, soups. from then on shrimp, tuna, jello, cottage cheese, soups, crab meat, potatoes, I cannot tolerate chicken or beef.I cannot tolerate much of any spices accept salt and pepper.

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

very low, it still is but I push myself to go and do things.

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

Bariatric multi vitamins, bariatric chewable calium, bariatric iron, bariatric b12 and juice plus vegetable and fruit gummies.

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 had some vomiting mostly because I chew tooooo fast. this is crucial to learn to eat slow... no dumping, my hair at thrid month is thinning. the vomiting was the worse my eating habits are terrible, I am learning tho.Take my time.

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

Being tired, I have had some depression I do crave some foods, that is pretty basically it.I woke up from surgery with dry heaves from the morephine I should of told anesthesioogist how I am with medications.

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

Obesity help.com,,. Also support group meetings at my doctors.. This is very, very helpful it is survival.

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

My scars are very small about a half and inch in size.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet I started at 239 in 3 mos. I am at 175.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, very much