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

saw it on tv but also knew someone from my past who had it way back in the 80's. I was skeptical but then saw the results and decided to go for it, my weight was gonna kill me if I didnt do something.

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

the first time i was denied, but then my ex husbad who was my current husband then re enlisted in the air force and i saw the doc and got it approved it took several months tho

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

he was great his staff was great. he is now in new york

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i had to do it or my kids might face life with out a mom at their young ages

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i basically said just do it and the dr told me what he felt would be best

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 normal what if fears, but you risk your life everyday that you get into a car. i would tell people to make sure they want a life long change and to be prepared for the waht ifs that come with any surgery.

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?

i didnt care it is not their body.

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

at home mom then

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

my stay was fine, the nurses forgot about me as i needed no help. i was actually out of bed walking with in hours and making my bed the next morning before the doc made his rounds. bring socks, chap stick, female items, leave the jeans at home...stomach incision

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

no comps at all

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

felt fine but was going through the beginning of my marriage falling apart so i just let things happen as they come to me. the hardest part was giving up coca cola, it was a mental recovery for me more than physical

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

expect to feel out of place at meals. expect to feel like your will drown if you drink any more water. adjust to the liquid diet for those first few days.

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

local hospital burlington mass.

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.

no cokes. no meat. not popcorn. liquids for the first week then scrambled egg, baby food, baked potatoe plain. lots of water, broth and jello. now lactose intolerant, apples make me feel icky, no ice cream. everything will be trial and error and what goes down today may not tomorrow.

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

i went to a movie 5 days after surgery and sight seeing with slow walking in 7 days. my surgery was done with a laproscope just treated myself like i had just given birth. used caution.

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

2 flintstones chewable calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, vit c, and b12 i get leg cramps now if i do not take in enough water and also from low potassuim

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 still get all of the side effects if i eat something that doesnt agree...dumping yuck hair loss with lack of protien sleep disturbances all the time....could be stress

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

nothing.....well being naked in front of total strangers and asleep isnt too fun.

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

nothing. had surgery in 2001

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

i have 7 dash marks. it is very minimal and considering i have stretch marks it is no big deal

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

well i go up and down. right now i weigh 153 but have been down to 133. usually stay at 144 when you hit a plateau you need to increase your water and protien and exercise more or change up your routine

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, they treat me as a normal person. and they actually make eye contact.