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

I have known about it for a long time. My fathers friend has the surgery about 25 years ago. I then started reading about it. I took about 5 years for me to get the courage up to call and just make an appointment to talk to a doctor about the surgery.

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

I got approved right away and that made me very happy. I was afraid that they wouldn't approve me. I was just fat. Nothing else. No High blood pressure and no other medical problems.

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

The first meeting was very informative. I got a booklet and they talked to me and gave me options. It was really good.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I got tired of being fat and tired and not being able to find clothes and to just be in public and not be laughed at. I also just wanted to be healthy and to feel healthy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didnt really care as long as I got it done.

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 fears. I just worked through them and decided that if i was going to die. I wanted it to be trying to 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?

My husband was not happy about it. He worried more about it than I did. I just wanted to start my new life.

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

They didn't know at first. Then they were happy for me. They were very supportive of the surgery.

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

I for the most part had a very nice stay. The nurses responded when I needed them. I was there for 2 days. I didn't bring anything but my cell phone. They provide everything that you need.

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?

very excited and nervous at the same time.

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

Don't expect to eat or drink very much at all. To also have a little difficulty getting comfortable sleeping.

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

35 miles

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.

Rice is the one food that I can not eat. I ate oatmeal and ground up chicken and broth and lots of babyfood. I lost a lot of weight in the first couple of weeks. I can finally tolerate beef after a year and a half. I eat a lot more now and I don't like it.

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

very active

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

I take a multivitamin and vitamin c and e and biotin and calcium and b vitiamins and fish oil vitamin.

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 have had vomiting and all that is listed. You have to learn what you can tolerate and what triggers the symtoms

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

nothing

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

I go to meetings and to my doctor

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

My scars are very little. I am happy

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It has been a 1-1/2 years and I am stuck and can't lose the last 50 lbs of weight. I do need some help for this.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES