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

I found out from a friend that had it. I thought it was great because it changed her life and she lost ALOT of weight. And I wanted it for myself but it still took me 7-8 years to really committ to it.

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

UPMC for You is great. It took them 7 days to approve all of my paperwork. I didnt have to worry about much because Dr. Quinlin's office handled everything. I had to do a 6 month monitored diet & exercise program via my PCP and under go lots of medical testing, but in the end it is so worth it. I recommend UPMC for You and Pittsburgh Bariatrics to any and everybody.

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

It was kind of brief. He asked me what he could do for me and I said, help make me healthy. He examined my abdominal area and told me I was an excellent canidate for surgery. After that I met with his staff to make all of the necessary appoinments I needed to get approval.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I caught a glimps of my reflectoin in a window and I hung my head in shame.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research I did on the internet.

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 dont have any of those fears. I know that God wouldnt lead me down this path for me to have anymore difficulties. My faith has what's been able to get me through this whole process. That is my recommendation to anyone, turn to your faith and you will get through it.

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 havent really told many people. But those that know are very supportive

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

She/they have been very supportive. She/they only offer 2 weeks for medical leave but she is letting me have a full 3 weeks with pay because she knows the medical issues I have been having and feels this surgery will save my life.

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

My stay in the hospital was quite nice, except you dont get ANY rest with people coming into your room all day and night. I was there for 2 days. The MOST important thing is chap stick! Your mouth is sooooooo dry after surgery that even water wont help, so bring your chap stick!

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

No.

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 received my surgery date when I had my consultation with my bariatric surgeon. So it was killer trying to be patient enough to wait for my date.

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

You'll be sore, tired and gassy. Just bare with it. It has to be all up hill from there.

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

Not far. 10 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.

I had a problem with sugar free drinks, jello and anything sweet. It seemed that after I had my surgery the everything tasted VERY sweet.

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

At first all I wanted to do was lay around but that didnt help in my soreness. So the more you move, the better you will feel.

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

Bariatric multi vitamin and calcium citrate

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?

None.

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

The Gas

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

I have lifetime after care with my Bariatric Program. I had to pay a program fee which gurantees me lifetime aftercare.

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

I had my surgery lap, so I really dont have any scars, I have tiny cuts where they inserted the surgical tools.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I havent got that far yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, like Im sickly or like im suffering or something. They aren't really focusing on my weight loss more than they are focusing on the fact that I had surgery