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

i went to a seminar with my room mate to see about getting the surgery done for her. i was kind of doubtful until i saw the post ops and their before and after pics. AMAZING!!!!! it was then that i started checking out the possibilities of me having the surgery.

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

once i wrote the pre approval letter to them, the office staff at Dr. Hitchcock's then took over and persistantly called the insurance company until we heard news, which took 3 weeks. Be tenacious!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hound the insurance company to get results quickly.

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

i was nervous and a bit scared, but he made me feel comfortable and hopeful. Have your questions ready to ask the Dr. Some of the Dr's need those probing questions to give you the info you need. Don't rely on the fact that the Dr. will give you all the info you need. ASK QUESTIONS!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My medical comorbidities!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i researched all the procedures here on Obesityhelp.com And asked lots of people about the various types of procedures. i also asked lots of Dr's about which procedure seemed to be more successful long term.

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 had no fears. with every surgery you put yourself at risk, and at least with this one, i felt very confident about the surgeons and what they do. Think of the benefits of having the surgery done compared to the cons. or of staying the same....

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 live in another state and i haven't seen them for 2 yrs. i have kept in contact with them on a regular basis and have made the journey with their full support! i am going to visit them in May. i haven't sent any pics of myself since i have lost all this weight, so they have no clue what i look like now, but are VERY anxious to see me. They are extremely happy 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 wasn't working at the time due to health problems.

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

the hospital staff was very understanding and quick with pain meds. i was there for 4 days. a comfortable pillow!!!!for the trip home!!

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

2 months out post op i developed an ulcer and got dehydrated and was admitted to the hospital for a week. Got everything under control. because of that, it was a minor setback but taken care of. i still take protonix once a day. it was great to get rid of the constant nausea!!!!

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 took it slow and napped a lot. but overall after the first week i felt pretty good. i talked with my roommate and friends about any anxieties i felt and they helped a lot. Even just to listen and let me vent.... lol

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

pain and discomfort. nothing that medicines can't take care of though. it's weird because you aren't hungry, but boy you sure get sick of jello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's nice when you can eat solid foods again!

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

i live in Springfield, MO and traveled 3 1/2 hours to Shawnee Mission, KS for my surgery. with the price of gas these days, i did miss my 6 mo. appt. but will reshedule it. But all i have to do is call, and they return my calls quickly.

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, at first it was difficult to eat more than a bite or two of food, and i'm still not able to eat and then consume 64 ozs. of fluid each day. Salads right now, do tend to bother me, and so do things with dietary fiber in them. Like V8 juice.... i drink it, but deal with a bit of diarrhea the next day. But it tastes so good!!!!

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

slowly i was able to do more, and before surgery i was pretty sedentary. Now, i can even run a bit(i have a total knee replacement so i have to watch it). i am more active now than i have been in my entire adult life. i actually have more energy now to do things. i want to go hiking this summer and camping for the first time in my life! And with no air mattress too...... lol

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

i have been on a multivitamin. i haven't taken B12 because i seem to produce enough of it naturally and/or with the foods that i eat. And of course.... the protein drink! lol

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?

the nausea was the worst, i coped well after the ulcer was diagnosed and treated. i have now experienced a slight hair loss, but my hair is sooooo thick that i did that anyway somewhat. i have plenty of hair to go around, but i will start consuming more protein! my fingernails haven't grown much either lately.

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

the waiting to get it done.... lol! and the waiting to be able to eat solid foods easier.

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

there is a support group here in town called New Beginnings that is great! it has been majorly helpful!!!

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

not much. my c-section scar is worse... pretty much, i was told that there would be five places with a few staples there. and that's what happened.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

at first i was losing 10+ lbs. a week. Around the 5 month mark, it started tapering down to 3-5 lbs a week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

God yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!