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

A friend of mine had it done successfully and I proceeded to research the option further on my own.

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

My doctor's office sent a letter and handled all the correspondence.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Knowing I couldn't afford to get any bigger. I knew things had to finally end going in the direction I was.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Left this decision up to my doctor who decided what would best benefit 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?

This is difficult to answer for anyone. I had fears to the point that I wrote letters to my daughter for every major occasion in her life that I would miss should I have died. I guess these fears are common. The final week before surgery, a calm came over me and I knew I had done all the things right that I could. The rest was out of my hands. Just keep the faith and tell yourself you can face anything one day at a time.. whatever comes.

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?

No one in my family was supportive of my decision but they kept they opinions to theirselves once they realized I had made my mind up. Afterwards is when they shared all their fears with me because they knew I just wouldn't listen beforehand.

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

A bit apprehensive... was worried because of what he had heard about the surgery .. but still supportive. I was out of work for 6 weeks due to the strenuous nature of my job.

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

My hospital stay was uneventful. In one way I was on my own alot. I was allowed to just hang out as long as they got they blood and other stats they needed from me. I was in the first time for the surgery for 4 days. I returned for gall bladder trouble for an overnight visist 8 days post op. The main thing you NEED is lip gloss to keep the lips moist.

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

My gall bladder acted up 8 days post op... some extra pain meds and a prescription had me feeling better in 2 days.

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 felt great. I don't recall having any anxiety once I realized I made it through surgery.

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

I did very little. My family was very supportive and helped in every way. I would suggest that another should expect to do nothing for several weeks except find a home on the couch.

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

My hospital was in the nearest town north of me... just 20 miles away.

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

My energy level was low for the for 2 weeks but gradually picked up and by the 5th week I was feeling great.

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

I currently take 2 childrens chewable vitamins in the morning... 2 calcium supplements (1 am , 1 pm) and have B-12 injection once a month. I also take Pepcid in the morning in order to prevent another ulcer.

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?

Vomiting seems to be the worst part. I don't often feel hungry but when I do become hungry... I end up vomiting. I have had no other symptoms at this point.

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

So far I would say the worst part of the surgery has been the "open or dirty wound" that needs to get packed (and unpacked) everyday. This has been the most painful part.

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

I attend a monthly support meeting and find the information to be quite helpful.

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

I have a total of 6 small scars and yes... I did expect this.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am currently experiencing my first platuea. I have lost 41 pounds in 6 weeks and at 7 1/2 weeks the scale has not moved. I am currently supplementing with more protein shakes and trying to increase my water intake.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have noticed that some of my "heavier" friends have not come to see me since being in the hospital although we still talk on the phone.