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

I had always heard stories of surgery, and I thought it was dangerous and stupid. As I researched, I saw I viewed it wrong.

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

My approval was quick and simple, I was blessed with that.

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

It was reassuring. Take someone with you, as well as a list of questions you have. Let your guest ask questions too, he/she will think of things you may not.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Wanting to live.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I let my doctor and insurance decide that.

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?

Of course I feared death, and I wrote letters to everyone in case I died. But I prayed, and God gave me peace, and everything went perfectly.

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?

Everyone tried to talk me out of it, usually by telling horror stories of others who had it. Now they are all jealous, HAHA!

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

I was a stay-at-home Mom at the time.

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

I was there 3 days. It was hard seeing my husband eat when I couldn't even have ice. I was thankful for the chapstick a friend brought me, and for my toothbruch and toothpaste. I had awful cotton mouth and equally bad breath.

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

I had a stitch abcess and later gallbladder trouble. I just faced them head on :)

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, and hungry. I was afraid of everything! I tried to focus on getting everything I needed, and picking out new clothes to get rid of the anxiety.

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

Life was tough for a while. I needed someone to help with my kids b/c I could hardly get myself up and down. I slept a lot too.

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

About 30 miles or so. Insurance has affected aftercare, not distance.

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 had a hard time with meats. They were very dry for me. Raw veggies are a big no no for me, and cause pains and gas. I had a hard time with dairy at first too. I would try small amounts of things here and there until I knew if it was a permanent issue or not.

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

I was still a little lazy :)

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

Calcium, protein, and B-12, as well as a multivitamin.

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 had pretty bad hair loss from about 3 month post op to around 6 months post op. I just keot styling my hair and feeling good!

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

THE DRAIN!

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

I belong to some online support groups that have been excellent.

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

My scars aren't as bad as I thought they would be. I have several, the biggest is maybe 1.5" in diameter.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Oh I hate plateaus! I had weeks go by with no loss, and I thought I had finished losing. But then, all of the sudden, I'd lose like 5 pounds and slowly lose a couple more.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I've come to believe no one hears a fat person speak until they lose weight. I get looked at by guys now, and my kids tell me I'm not fat like Santa anymore.