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

My aunt had the surgery. Before that I had never heard or seen anyone who had it before. I aksed questions and thought to look into it more.

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

I was lucky my approval was fast and I did not have any problems. My advice for people would be to look into your insurance ask questions and be ready for anything.

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

I was scared and felt like I should not be there but when Dr. Hilga came in he made me feel like I was making the right choice over all.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My family and the fact I wanted to better my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

A lot of research. I also had a meeting with the surgeon who showed me the different options there were.

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 plenty of fears such dying, loosing to much blood, not seeing my family again. These thoughts made me question my choice to have the surgery. But in the end I felt I was dying already and this surgery could save me from that. My thoughts to others would be to have fears but know what YOU! truly want and consider whaT YOU MIGHT LOOSE.

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 scared complications and all. Family and friends took the information but did not really give me any feedback untill I was close to the date. My husband is very supportive as are my girls. Family and friends are here and there but they have no choice this is my life.

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

Does not apply.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I was happy and then I got scared and then I was freaked out. But it was all over after my questions were answered.

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

I have to say that I felt like a queen. They treated me so nice and was so supportive. I only stayed a day but it felt like more. The most important thing to me was the way the staff gave their true heart not their working side. They made me feel soo better about my self anf choice.

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

No everything went fine.

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 so happy I did not think it was real. I could not fathom this was going to happen. Then I got the news of how much I needed to pay for the co-pay and that all went away untill I go the money together.

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

I was alone just my family, husnabd and girls. But things went great. Had head hunger but I stuck to the program which meant a lot to me.

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

I had to trael 5 hours away from where I lived so it was hard on my the drive home.

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 was only able to eat CLEAR fluids. No kind of food at all I had sugar free ice sickle. Everything else as off limits untill my two weeks were up. Then I was able to eat mashed potatoes, pinto beans, things that were really mashed up. I also used a baby spoon because the amounts mattered. After that I was able to move up the ladder but it all depends on your body. You may not feel like the foods you once liked before. I still cannot tolerate noodles, rice, or ground round. But I do fine.

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

I was up and about. I wanted to keep the scale moving so I was ok.

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

I was on B12 sublingual, multivitamine, and calicum citrate. Now I take all those plus 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?

I had hair loss, dumping, and constipation. I have slowly over come the hair loss. I have not had dumping in a long while. and I still struggle with constipation. The hair loss I raised my protien and took biotin. The dumping I just stayed away from foods my body did not like. The constipation I take metamucil every now and then.

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

I would have to say the gas. I was in pain with the gas. Not being able to pass it on my own. But that only lasted a day or two. Then things were fine and rolling.

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

I live in a rural area so I only attend this website.

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

It faded you can see it a little bit but you have to look real close.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My first one lasted about two weeks and I was mortified. I thought I had did this for nothing. But the website helped me to cope with the time. I stated to take inches instead of the weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I get the looks and funny coments but I pass them on I LOOK GOOD!