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

my mother had it, at first when she told me i was agianst it. then i went to my dr to ask for help and he sugested it. I looked into it and realized it wasn't what i thought and that it was definately what i needed

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

I have blue cross blue shield of michigan and my bmi was high enough i didn't need prior authorization. i covered everythign 100%!!

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

It was great everyone was friendly and very helpfull

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i new it was right for me. I had to do something to loose wieght i was on the verge of having health problems and i knew if i didn't do something i was gonna die because i was overwieght younger than i wanted to

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Well i wanted it to be laposcopic and that wasn't a problem. My Dr explained to me to do long limb gastric bypass because my Bmi was too high. I knew if I did the banding it wouldn't work for me because i love sweats and fatty food, having the bypass it would remind me never to eat it.

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 work at a hospital so i was very aware of the complications and it scared me but i knew i could not go on like i was. I was still at a healthy stage and it was best for me to do it now rather than when i developed other conditions besides obesity

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 family was very supposrtive y mother had it one year ago. My father was supportive but scared for me. Overall I have a great family support system

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

I work at a hospital and they totally understood. I had alot of concerned supportive coworkers that helped me out. I took off 4 weeks from work and recieved temp. medical leave pay wich helped, but it was hard not to have a total income. Going back to work was hard i am an cna and it requires physical work. I should of taken more work off but i toughed it out and my great co workers helped me out

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

everyone should ask the nurse for a set of tongs...it's hard to wipe your butt after surgery, this nurse brought them too me and it really helped!! talk about emarrassing when she gave them to me but a life saver exspecially when i went home. Slippers are another good thing cause walking is important. and suport.

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

I was alergic to morphine so i found out, they quickly changed my pain meds. I also developed and baldder infection and yeast infection from that catheerter, which could happen to anyone. over it was just things that can happen. Thank god nothin major

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 hard, very tired and achey. had to set an alarm to wake up and get my meals and shakes in. Drinking water was hard to fit in. Just gotta keep going it gets better slowly

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

lots of sleep and rest and someone to help you.

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

4hours. i had a great surgeon it was worth it. the car ride home was terrrible. i followed up with my dr here and went back in two weeks, and at a month

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.

well i had to eat pureed food, i could eat just about anything chicken was the easiest. and carnation instant breakfast no sugar added was the best tasting protien suplement i had a great recipe for pudding with protien that came in handy when i didn't feel like drinking anything.

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

sleep and more sleep and walks around the house at first then i walked outside about one months after i would go swimming every other day now at 2 months i work out and swim

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

two flintstone chewable vitamins, two viactive, and a b12 everyday. I also do 2-3 protien suplement shakes everyday

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?

nausia and vomiting when i eat something i shouldn't. Some days are worse than others. i don't need much sleep anymore it's wierd, i had the dumping once and i have lost some hair but i have lots to spare

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

hmm just the fact that your tired for the first month and when your thirsty you can't down a glass of water, you have to drink slow

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

i talk with my mom alot she had this surgery

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

it's about 3 inches in the middle of my stomache and two small 1 inch scars on each side. i had lap bypass with hand assist

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet i average about 6-7lbs a week i've lost 55

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes they seem nicer, and they pay more attention. i get more respect