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

A very good friend had it. She was very successful. She had lost 140 lbs. I was happy for her and a little scared. I was afraind of future health risk. She is 1 1/2 years post op and is doing well. At first I never thought about it for me. She told me she thought I would qualify. I checked in to it and gathered more information and talked to others that had it done. Found out I qualified and here I am 2 weeks post op.

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

I have BC/Bs and had no problems what so ever it took 2 weeks.

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

I had already talked to so many people I didn't have a lot of questions I already knew that answers. But if you haven't done your research be sure to have your list of question.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to feel better and look better.

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 never had the first fear. I had a very real peace about it. I think you need to place your decision in Gods hands and ask Him to direct you. That is what I did and I never had the first anxiety about it what so ever. The night before surgery I slept like a rock. The alarm clock woke me up. I had to be there at 7:30

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 didn't tell every one. The ones that I knew would be supportive I told and the ones I didn't know how they would respond and one friend that is very opposed to it I didn't tell till after the surgery. Most everone has bee fine and concerned and supportive. The one fried that is opposed we just don't talke about it. I wouldn't changed the way I did it.

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

Not applicable

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

I was there from Thursday till Saturday. I was a Medical Center East in Birmingham, Alabama. It was a wonderful experience. I had no problem what so ever. I was put to sleep on the way to surgery and didn't know a thing till I woke up in my room some time that afternoon. I chose to wear hospital gowns. It made life easier. Bring a radio if your hospital will allow it. It helps with noise and you don't really want to watch TV at least I didn't.

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

none what so ever

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 excited and had no anxiety what so ever. I felt it was a win/win situation. All I ever said was if something should happen to me just donate my body to science. I never worried one moment. I was kinda suprised myself at the lack of anxiety. I know my husband was more concerned than I was.

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

I am only 2 weeks out and I feel fine. It is hard not to over do. Rest is a key point. Don't do to much. I have been guility of it and have experienced some discomfort because of it. Nothing Teylnol hasn't taken care of. BUt if I had behaved myself I probally wouldn't have had to even do that much. I haven't had any pain medicine since the hospital.

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

I live only about 15 minutes from the hospital

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'm not at the point of being able to answer that yet

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

I came home from the hospital on Saturday and I am the owner of a courier business. I am the only employee. I had to get a friend to drive me around starting the very next monday. I still had a tube. So I have been busy. I got my tube out on the Thursday after surgery. I felt like a new person. On friday I went back to my regular way of doing things. Like I said earlier it's been to easy to over do.

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

2 chewable multiable vitamins, B12 and calicum plus protein

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 haven't had any nausia since the hospital and no dumping. Sleep hasn't been a problem either. I'm not far enough a long for the hair loss stage yet. I am very careful not to over eat and not to eat the wrong thing.

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

The orange jello in the hospital and trying to find a decent tasting protein drink. The surgery its self was not a major problem for me. The day before the tube came out was a little rough. I got very uncomfortable but not even enough to take pain medicine.

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

I go to the support group as often as I can. It is encourages you when you have things that you don't know if it is normal or not. An example is for me water is not something I can drink, it makes my stomach achey. I found out that is normal. Most people go through that. You can drink crystal lite or propel water but no plain water. That feeling does go away with time.

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

I have 5 little scars. The biggest one is about 3/4 of and inch long. The smallest is about 1/4. I knew what to expect because of a friend.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have several plateau experiences some have lasted 2 weeks. I won't loose any weight then one day I will have dropped 5 lbs. Its is so strange, I don't know why that happens. Maybe not enough protein.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people are more friendly toward me and I am out in public with my job and men are apt to be more genllemanly ex holding the door open for me.