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

I heard about it 18 years ago I had a friend who had it, and then I just looked it up on the internet one day and started researching I found it very interesting. And it has come along way in 18 years!!

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

Was approved after first reguest, and Dr. letter and Psyc eval. My insurance has been great!

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

I never met my surgeon until the day of surgery, I always saw his P.A. I would not recommend this surgeon!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Being fat almost all my life and wanting to live to enjoy my grandchildren!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The Dr decided for me as I had to much scar tissue from other surgery's!

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 biggest fear was blood clots, but they are right on top of things with the surgical stockings and the Heprin shots every 6 hrs.

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 against it, afterwards my husband was very helpful and considerate!!!

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

I'm a homemaker I don't work!

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

It was boring and I hate hospitals! I was in 4 days. Bring your brush, toothbrush, and lotion and a coming home outfit!

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

I got a secondary infection in my incision was in hospital 2 times for it. It was cut open and I had to pack it twice aday for 6 1/2 weeks.

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 4 months and it seemed like forever, I just read more about the surgery!

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

I was and still am 9 weeks out nauseated all the time I have lost 62 lbs. I slept alot the first month but have my energy back now!

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

I had to drive 200 miles one way.

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 can't eat much of anything. Can't tolerate bread,meat, some vegtables nothing fried and my taste buds have changed alot!!!!!:(

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

I slept about 16-18 hrs aday!

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

I take prescription pre-natal vitimins they are called Natachews

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 nausia has been and is the worst!!!

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

The nausea!!!!!!!:(

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

Just the Obesityhelp.com They are the best!

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

It isreally ugly but mainly because of the infection and them cutting it open!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Haven't had one yet hope I don't!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Just yesterday I had 5 people tell me how good I was looking!