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

I found out about it from a coworker. My initial impression was I want it no matter what it takes.

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

I had no problem with my insurance company at all. I started working with my Doctor years before I had surgery. I think it helped that I kept the same Doctor and had years of weight history

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

My first meeting was great, I had lots of questions and got lots of answers. Write down any question you have then take them with you on your visit, it helps you remember those important ones you want to ask

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I got to the point I was having a hard time standing or walking and it scared me to think that I would be confined to a chair. My health was declining fast and I got real scared.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the bypass because its 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?

My fear was living the rest of my life in pain and never walking again. I never once thought about dying after my surgery I only thought about the life I was going to have

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?

They were all very supportive. My family knew what shape I was in, I know they felt my pain and wanted me to get help.

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

My employer was upset at first, she asked me if my surgery was required or elective and my answer to her was "yes to both because I elect to live " I was out of work 2 weeks

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

My stay at the Hospital was good, I had no complaints the nurses really take great care of you Things to bring would be a tooth brush and robe because you are up walking around soon after.

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

Yes I had complications, I started bleeding, the nurses were right on top of everything and took great care of me.

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 just so excited to have a date, I had a calendar that I marked off the days, I knew I was going to have a chance at a new life, it was like waiting to be born again only this time I will be thin

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

It will take awhile to learn to eat again, there are lots of changes that takes place, just plan on taking time to lean new ways of eating

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

Not far at all it was in my home town

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.

Right after surgery for the first couple of weeks I couldnt eat much at all, only a few bites at a time and only items such as soups, cottage cheese and low fat yogurt and protien shakes. Months after surgery you can eat lots of items only smaller amounts I always try to eat meat first vegies next if you try the other way around you will be to full to eat the protien you need .I can not eat breads or sugars they make me sick so I stay away from them and besides those two items got me into trouble to begin with so it fine with me not to eat them.

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

I was slow moving due to the loss of blood, but after a couple weeks I was getting more energy.

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

I take a multivitamin, calcium citrate and b12 thats all no other pills needed

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?

Nausea and Vomiting were the worse for me, the worse of it lasted about 3 weeks and after that it would happen if I tried new foods that didnt settle.

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

Waiting to get it done

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

I attend our local monthly meeting

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

You can hardly see it, its very very small

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am on a plateau now with only 15 pounds to go for my goal weight

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes very much, people smile and notice me, they talk to me instead of looking away when I would look at them