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

My sister-in-law had it done. It brought good results for her..

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

It was really tough,I was denied 2 times.. I finally changed Drs.and I owe everything to Dr. Cadigan! I did everything twice,I fianlly found a Dr. that understood!

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

He was very friendly and explained allot of us. My husband and I went together. He wanted to do me first,but I got denied,so my husband went first,3 years ago.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I just couldn't take it anymore and couldn't lose any weight. I would lose and gain it back right away!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't have much of a choice,I had my gall bladder out and other surgerys. The lap sounded like too much surgery for me..

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 didn't have any fears or even worried about having any complications.. Everything went so good,no problems at all,I always had someone saying they knew someone that had it done and had problems!

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 had already had it done,so he was really happy for me,because he knew how depressed I was about it.Especially after he had it done and was losing all his weight and I was fat!

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

I had a hard time with my work. I didn't have sick days built up and they weren't going to grant them to me. I work for the school and they said I should wait until the summer. I didn't want to wait,I had waited for almost 3 years!

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

Don't remember too much the first day,was very sore and slept allot! I was there for 2 days. Just bring personal items and thats it!

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

None 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?

I really felt like crap! Everything I ate,drank,tasted awful!! I felt like I wasn't doing anything right at all!!

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

Find a hobby,go out for a walk,it gets really boring,stay out of the kitchen,too!

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

About a 90 minute drive,but it was worth it. My poor husband had to drive back and forth,but hes a truck driver,so hes used to traveling! I am not,so have to depend on people for rides!

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 had allot of problems with salads,things with skins. I still have alittle problem eating salads. I can eat almost anything now without any problems as long as I don't overeat. I think I can fit one more bite...

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

Not much of a exersizer,did ride bikes,walked,and have a gazelle I would get on once in awhile!

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

B-12,calcium,one a day,hair and nail,caltrate..

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?

The hair loss I'm going through right now. Its a good thing that I have thick hair! Never had the dumping that everyone talks about!

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

The pain---! But it does get better,also th big ugly scar!

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

None at all arounf our area. I do know 2 people at work that had it done and my sister-in-law and brother and huband. So we kind of compare notes!

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

Its big and ugly...,but my family history of healing it was expected!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Seems like I have one every week! Just can't seem to get the weight off fast enough for me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yea,its kind of funny though.