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

My primary care doctor suggested I talk to the surgeron that we had at the clinic and through that and the internet and lots of books I learned all about it and decided it was right for me.

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

I didn't have any problems and was approved within a week.

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

He was very up front didn't hem haw around on the complications. Said I would be a good candidate for the surgery. Take all your questions with you and don't leave until they are answered.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Help from my family and friends on what was best for me and my health and I wanted to live alot longer.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance only pays for RNY-Laproscopic or open.

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?

Go in with a very postitive attitude. I was never afraid because of the positive attitude I had and that I knew this was going to improve my quality of life.

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?

Everyone was very supportive. My Sister was a little nervous and scared for me and she still is. I was very up front with everyone and answered all the questions they had and also sent them to sites on the internet including this one.

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

I am self-employed so that was easy!

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

My hospital stay was good. The doctors and nurses at NCMC are wonderful and they are very helpful. I stayed 3 days and really didn't bring anything but a loose shirt and sweats to cruise the halls in.

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

No, everything went great!

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 a little sluggish, tired but once I started walking and getting protiens in it was better.

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

I slept alot. I started out walking the first day home up the block and then went farther everyday. I had help which was a good thing because with help I was able to drink and eat on time where if by myself I wouldn't have gotten up to do it because I was so tired. If you can have help during at least the first week it would help.

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

Only 1/2 mile.

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 able to drink water, cyrstal lite, tea, broth, eggs, soup, cream of wheat, followed the doctor's orders to a tee and graduated on the eating programs when he said it was time. I only had problems so far with hamburger it has to be saturated in some kind of gravy.

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

Very high and still is. I walk 2 miles a day, train on exercise bike, and do water resistance training 3 days a week.

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

Everything that is recommended by the doctor, iron, calcium, vit. C, etc.

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 have only had vomiting a few times and it was my fault for eating a little to much.

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

Nothing everything went smooth and still has except for the loose skin.

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

My doctor has a support group that meets 2 times a month and it is very imformative and help full to go and talk and share with other people. Also has a after 6 month post op Momentum Group that meets once a month.

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

I have 5 little ones and they are barely noticable. I thought they would be bigger glad their not.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have lost 98 pounds in 6 months so the last 10 pounds have been coming off the slowest other than that no plateaus. At the end of my 9 months I have lost 107 pounds and I have not had any plateaus.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No not really. More stares from people who haven't seen me in a long time so it is a shock to them. Christmas card picture will be a real shock to some compared to last year. People not noticing me that haven't seen me for a very long time. People can't believe that I have had this surgery.