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

My niece had surgery several years before I did, and it was not very successful. I was scared, but determined to make t work for me.

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

Getting approval took me over a year. I was denied twice before finally getting approved. My best advice is not to give up!

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

I was very excited about t6he possibility of surgery. Doing a lot of research before going to the doctor is important.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally realize that it was the only way that I would ever lose the weight and keep it off.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I chose RNY because it was likely to work and it was permanent.

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 told everyone that if it was my time to go, then at least I would have died doing something that I very much wanted to do.

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?

Most of my family was leary about my decision to have suegery. However, they were very supportive afterwards.

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

They were okay with it. I told them the truth. I was out of work for four weeks.

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

I was in the hospital for four days. The surgeon was great, but the hospital stay was only fair.

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

No, thank goodness.

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 so happy that I could hardly stop smiling!

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

The first two weeks were awful! I had a lot of pain, and I had a lot of head-hunger. The best thing that I can say is that each day got a little easier.

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

My hospital is about 45 mnutes from my home.

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.

At the beginning, I drank a lot of sugar-free Carnation Instant Breakfast. Now, I can eat almost anything!

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

I began walking a lot two weeks after surgery.

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

Multi-vitamin, B-12, and Calcium Citrate are taken daily.

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 lost lots of hair at about three months after surgery, but it was no big deal.

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

The worst part was getting approval.

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

The OH website has been the greatest source of support for me. I don't know how I would have dealth with things if not for the support and friendships I have developed from OH.

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

The scars are very small.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had no major plateaus.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, thry treat me better.