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

A magazine article. I was ready to do it.

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

It wasn't hard I have Medicare as my primary as long as it benefits you they will pay for it.

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

It was wonderful. Ask the bulk of your questions at that visit. That is when they want you to ask questions not when you go home and make sure you write any questions down so you are well informed. Don't expect the doctor to take charge of your care you need to be in charge of your health not him/her.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

when I couldn't loose any weight without starving

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

research and asking lots of questions and Medicare

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?

none I knew I was going to die obese if I didn't do something

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?

some positive some negative. no I informed them as best I could. very much so after I started dropping pounds.

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

N/A

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

My stay was wonderful. I was there 3 days. make sure you have all your personal hygene products and a litlle extra

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?

I was sore but felt good about the decision I made. I didn't feel any anxiety

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

It took some getting use to because I still had a family I had to cook for. I really had to make a concious effort not to taste as I cooked. It deffinately changed the way we eat and cook at home.

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

not far about 30 minutes away from my house.

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 could only eat liquids for about three weeks then I graduated to mush for the next three and then I began incorporating solid food back into my diet after 6 weeks. I now eat just about anything I want. I can no longer eat broccoli it is way to fiberous and corn can be at times. I have to becareful with beef and pork. I don not eat rice and meat together. I still like to eat soup. I guess it is a comfort for me. But like I said as long as I chew my food thuroughly I don't have any problems.

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

It gradually got better. Now I can out do my husband

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

I take a multi vitamin and I take amino acids to build my protein and I take a digestive aide. I still take my b-12 shots.

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 think nausia was the worst because I needed to take a digestive aide and didn't realize it. I am a year out and it just stopped happening after I started taking the digestive aide 2 weeks ago. I ate a lot of soup.

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

I had to relearn my body all over again and it wasn't easy one day i would do fine with a food and the next it would come up.

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

I go to a support group once a month it has been helpful

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

It doesn't bother me I expected it to be worse. I wear a two piece and don't think twice about it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I didn't have any

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I get more respect as a thin person and that is sad because my abilities and brain didn't change just my size.