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

at first I had a Freind that went through it and she did really well I had alot of neck and back problems and my surgeon for my neck is the one who said this might help my back and neck problems if I didnt choose this surgery to help me I would need to have my lower back fused and that would not be good for someone that is only 39

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

So far I have not had any problems with my insurance which is Anthem through my husbands work they have approved all of the other necessary consults for the dietician and phsyc evals.They have been really good so far anthem was very good i was approved with in 48 hours after they got the paper work .. thank you anthem!!!

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

My first appointment with Dr D'Augustine went very well he is a very nice man I had a very good first impression of him he answered all of my questions and put my mind at ease he was very good at describing the risk and how often that they occur I completly trust this man with my life

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

there were alot of factors I decided that I needed my life back for one and the rest was that my neck surgeon told me that if i didnt do something like this to get the weight off I could really damage my back and need to have it fused and I do not want that . The last reason is that I am on alot of different medicines for diabetes and asthma and I was told by the doctors involved that I should be able to get rid of most of my medications which will save me 400+ dollars a month in perscriptions .So I think my decision was a good one all around for all the right reasons

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

When I went to see my surgeon I thought there would be only the open way to go but he informed me that he felt that I would do much better having it done laperscopic which will me less scarring and less heal time which would be great, so that is the way I am going, I will go with Dr D's recommendation that he feels comfortable in doing

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 do have those fears of dying like everyone else but I think the possibiltiy of having a much better and healthier life overcomes the fear of dying ..........

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 husband was great in supporting my decision for the surgery he wants me to be healthier he has been great going to the support group meetins with me and supporting my decision, our daughter was nervous and fears for my life .. which I understand because I have so many medical issues.. but the Doctor said it would be fine . My mother feels it is taking the easy way out, but my thryroid does not work and being on 2 kinds of insulin I cannot lose the weight so I cannot think of any other way I have tried alot of diets and nothing has worked this is my only option

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

I do not have a employer so that is not really a issue I do fill in as a sub teacher at some of the area schools but they understand that I will not be able to sub for a while . They are fine with it

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

my hospital stay was very good, i was there from tuesday thru friday,,, i found this most important thing was make sure you bring chapstick that is a life saver

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

no i had no complications from the surgery , the only thing i had a problem with was the morphine , every time i tried to move i would get very sick and that hurt so once i got off the morphine i did much better

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

the closer it got i got a little nervous but support from my husband and family and this site got me though everything

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

this is only my first week home, but i am doing fine no pain at all i am doing really well

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

i traveled 8 miles for my surgery

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.

so far havent found anything that i cant tolerate alot of people say they cant tolerate milk i have been having carnation breakfast with 1 percent milk for my breakfast each morning

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

my activitly level at first was i was tired all the time,, but since about the second day or third day home i have been doing great more energy i have started to walk a little bit at a time and have been doing well with that

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

i got to see the dr on the 3rd and he will tell me then what vitamins i will need and will get step 2 diet

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?

the only sideeffects i had after the surgery was the morphine killed me everytime that i moved i would be sick talked to the dr and they got me off the morphine and i did great no pain or anything the following day after the surgery i started feeling better cause got rid of the morphine

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

just the wait but the reason for the waiting is good to make sure you know what you are getting into and are sure that you will be able to handle it .

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

I go to support group meetings once or twice a month I go to the OH website at least once a day to talk and chat

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

I have 6 1 inch to 1/2 scars that is not bad at all

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had 1 week that the scale did not move but then I started to get more protien and the weight stated losing again

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really people are just suprised that I had this done