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

Ten years ago on the internet and it was pretty scary, but no matter the process I knew it would happen one day..

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

Actually I had no real problems with my insurance, however one needs to remember it's been 10 years!!! When I first looked into it, the insurance companies made you jump through hoops, now that much more education has been made available I suppose the insurance companies are more aware of the obesity problems..

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

Education, Education!!! Educate yourself on what's in store for you!!! With that being said, my first real appointment went just as I thought. My doctor is wonderful and has been through out the whole process....

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I retired and my daughter is on her own and doing well, and besides the fact that getting older didn't help. Also my husband is 8 years younger than myself but don't misunderstand he would rather I didn't go through the process. I want this for myself!!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I needed to have more restriction, so the Gastric Bypass is what I chose...

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?

The only real fear was that the surgery would not be able to be don't due to adhesion's, I was at the point where stress was taking over. But my doctor told me he would do all he could to make sure it happened for me. So basically talk to someone don't let your fears make you crazy!!!

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 friends and family have been wonderful, at first I thought I might not tell anyone, but you need support, don't go through it by yourself!!!

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

I have retired!!

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

It was very exciting and scary, I think the only problem at the time was that I would have to wait for so long before the surgery could be done. All due to the insurance companies!!

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

My stay at the hospital was wonderful!!! I would suggest if at all possible you chose a hospital with a bariatric section, it is catered to larger people and they have the most educated care givers. They understand our worries and concerns..

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

My only real problem was the drainage tube, it hurt like HELL!!! The nursing staff was wonderful, they helped me through it all....

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 and releived..... Talk to your support group, it's very important

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

Well it's been my first day, and I'm a little sore. I had a little set back due to a migraine I got in the middle of the night. If you know migraines you know even when you get rid of the migraine you are still left with a headache all day, so walking outside in the sunshine was out of the question. Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow!!

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

Not far at all, maybe 5 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.

It's still new so time will tell, but I can say, "Everything is Sweet", I don't really care for sweets!!!

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

Hopefully will be awesome!!!

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

Chew able multi-vitamin twice a day, B-12 once a week and in a couple of weeks I will start on calcium.

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?

Too soon to tell.........

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

The "DRAINAGE TUBE", owie!!!!

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

This is it for now!!!!! And my wonderful husband!!!

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

5 little holes, woo hoo!!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Too soon to tell!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Too soon to tell!!