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

I remember when I started my last job and my boss was going thru the stages of getting the surgery and I started learning about it and decided it was time for me to make the change too.

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

I have bcbs highmark and I waited about 4 weeks to get approved. I got all my testing done before we submitted to insurance, the surgerons office was the one to submitt to insurance for me. I had no problems

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

The first meeting was during a open room with many people who like me are overweight, he was open and honest with the surgery. Ask questions, I think I asked more than any one else.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I realized that if I dont change my life I will end up sick and so overweight that my life will be shortned, and I want my kids to have a mommy that can do things with them.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Im going with lapro-RNY, I didnt want to be cut open and I didnt want something put in my body. after surgery- I have six little cuts on my belly

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 have no fear.. I have a better chance of dying driving my car then during this surgery

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?

they are supportive, I told them how it is and how it is going to be

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

I was not working when I had my surgery done.

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

I went in the hospital at 10am on a friday, surgery was at 2pm, I got my own room at 8pm, I slept most of that time, Sat morning I got up and walked down the halls, I really didnt have much pain, I only took with me a tootbrush and toothpaste, and I had my mom bring me some lotions and face wash. I took my robe, and slippers also. On sunday morning they let me leave around 12 noon. all of my nurses were great...

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

The only problems Im having is trying to wipe my tush because I have on a body wrap to hold my wounds and drainage tube in place. I also have a really bad pain in my left shoulder.

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 happy, I made sure I ate all the foods I know that I will not be eating after surgery.

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

rough,no sleep

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

The hospital is about 30 mins from my 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.

well right after surgery applesauce and pudding were my fav. and most everything else came within time. The bigg no nos are still bread, pizza and anything really sweet like cake. Im at 4 months now and I cant eat that stuff. Wine coolers are still hard to drink too

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

I went back to work after 4 weeks, I did a normal day, got my son up took him to school went to the office worked, came home cooked dinner and went to bed. I have not exercised since surgery.

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

I take a small little pill everynite before bed, CVS brand multi vitamin and then i get b-12 shots once a month and I take a b-1 100mg every other day. and a sublingual dropping of b complex

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?

Im now at 4 months I have lost alot of hair due to my male hormone kicking in, from losing weight so fast, so the doctor says. I still throw up if I eat too fast or eat too much. I sleep okay, the bad side effect is the lose skin on my belly now

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

Having the drainage bag tube still inside of me and having to carry it around for two weeks after the surgery and then having the staples still in for a few weeks. The other bad things were the scars and getting use to eating so little

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

Well I have my husband staying at home with me for now, and helping with me, and my mom is helping me also.

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

So far I have six little scars all about an inch to inch and half long on my tummy and I hole where my drainage tube was.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have plateaued at four months, for the past 3 weeks I have been the same weight. but the doctor said that I would have moments like that

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES, I have been able to get doors opened for me , men telling me Im pretty. I have people telling me I look like Anna Nicole Smith.. but I dont see it there. I think I look like Natlie Manes from dixie chicks..