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

I knew a few ladies that had it done, I talked with them and then researched online.

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

It was very easy, I knew what steps had to be taken as I read up on my insurance website before I even went to any Dr's. So I followed each pre req of the insurance to a T..No trouble

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

Awesome, he is amazing

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health, I wanted to live...

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was a no brainer for me..no foreign objects in my body and insurance only covered the RNY or band..so RNY it was

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?

None, I made peace with it way before the surgery. I was slowly dying anyway, I was partially dead because I really couldn't or didn't want to do things in public due to shame..so No fears for Me. I Love my God and if it was my time, I would be anywhere not just on the OR table..

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?

HUbby was a little concerned at first but after I explained everything and told him what the Heart Dr. said he was gung ho

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

His brother had just had it done, so he was very aware of the procedures and he was so good to me..All the time off I needed and I could work from Hone if I didn't feel well...

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

OMG, for the most par tit was awesome, but the shortage of nurses and the skill level and or bedside manner of some nurses leave a lot to be desired...Can you say Blown veins and screaming fits???

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

Nope

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 sore aand tired for the first few weeks and it gradually got better

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

Sleep in a recliner, have plenty of stuff near you to do, walk walk walk, drink drink drink

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

36 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.

1-Broth 2-Broth, Jello, Popsicles 3-Broth, mashed potatoes, COW 4-pretty much anything I chewed Off Limits - Avacodos, SUGAR, Cheezits, I don't really venture out there too far, so if I try something and it doesn't settle the first time it gets no more chances..

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

Days - Walking Weeks - Walking on treadmill Months - WII FIT

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

Calcium, Flinstones, B12 and Biotin

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?

At first, sleep was hard..only a couple hours at a time. Nausea only when I eat to fast or something I can not have..You learn...I am only 12 weeks out so I really can't speak for long term.

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

I think the thinking you were well read about the procedure only to find out that you didn't know near enough.

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

I go to the Surgeons Support group meetings

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

Small lil things scattered on my tummy

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

UGH, lots of those so prepare for them. They come and go and it tells me that I need to adjust something in my diet. Usually up my water and protein.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Why yes I do, and it is very aggrivating sometimes as it proves the point that the only reason some get places on the worksite is because Of what they look like not who they are and the work that they perform.