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

My close friend had it done. and i really didn't want it because i was on the atkins diet and i was doing really well on it. i lost 60 pounds in 5 months. so i just though i could do it on my own.

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

I have tricare prime. hubby is in the military and they are awsome. they pay for EVERYTHING.

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

It was good. Dr.Owens was awsome he was nice and honest. just be honest with them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i wanted to never have to wake up and say ok what am i going to not eat today. how am i going to starve myself today. i needed a new life

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i wanted gastric bypass. a do not return surgery.

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 did have fears of dying. that 1 in 200 scared me. i have to small girls. but i know i was going to be ok and god was with 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 mom and sisters and brothers were all there for me. my husband who was current in baghdad at the time of the surgery didn't want me to have the surgery not because he wasn't here. because he thinks i could do it by myself. and his family aggrees with everything he says so i had no surrpot from them either. it was very hard for me.

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

i am a stay at home mom

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

i loved my hospital. Chapman medical center in orange county. it was so nice. i stayed 2 days. i bought my own nght gown and slippers...

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

no

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 very hard for me. i had to be one protien shakes for 4 weeks. my head hnger was really bad. i thought i was going to die of hunger. the head hunger was my biggest battle

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

i had the jackson prat tube for 7 days and that was very hard and painfull for me. take it easy with that tube always drain it to.

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

almost 2 hours away. i was fine had my family to take care of me.

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.

Bread is a big no, no for me right now. i know they say you shouldn't eat bread well i tryed it to see and yup there right. i am only 9 weeks post op so i still have a hard time eating alot. but chilli and salad seem to be fine right now

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

i was slow the first 10 days. but after i was really good.

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

all the vitamins were suppose to take.

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 throw up alot. i have notice some hair loss but not to bad. it is hard to throw up. i am still new at this so it is hard to learn what my stomach likes and dislikes

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

not being able to eat something and it hurting going down or throwing it up.

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

i am on alot of gastric bypass yahoo groups they help me so much.

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

i had lap. they are not to bad

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

not had on really 9 weeks post op

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

i notice men looking at me. and my daughters friends do look at me weird anymore.