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

Pre op answered question. . . Television - I thought the commercials were so promising. . .I wasn't sold on the idea until after researching and failing yet again at the other options before me.

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

Pre op answered question. . . My spouse's employer switched Insurance companies at least three times, during that time though I had been told by the first that I needed 18 mths of consecutive weigh-ins with a Doctor program. Well, I started those and continued to keep up with them even through all the insurance changes, then my spouse switched jobs and that insurance company wouldn't cover it, at all. . . so again I continued weighing in, in hopes things would change. . . they did. My spouse changed jobs and after his new insurance turned me down for not having followed a doctor's weigh in, I had to call and tell them to look again. . . I had over 24 mths of weigh-ins. . .two weeks later I had my approval letter.

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

Pre op answered question. . . My first vist was a group visit and then a one on one brief encounter. Initially the group consultation was great. Questions were answered and discussed, the doctor gave a very good description of what I had researched for the last several years. In the one on one, she answered more questions that I had and was very kind. I didn't feel rushed or hurried, nor did I feel ignored or ignorant. Getting the most out of the meeting is to make sure you are informed too. Not only that, but ask your questions, no matter how silly they may seem, whether it be from sex to taking care of your personal needs in the bathroom. . .NO question is too small or silly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Pre op answered question. . . There were so many things, but the biggest were my kids. I want to live for them, if not for myself. My years are precious to me and that means I have to take care of how I live them, and that means losing weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Pre op answered question. . . I felt it was the best for me and the one that I would lose the most with. Also after talking to surgeons, they agree.

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?

Pre op answered question. . . I feared death for a short time. Not the death and how it deals with me personally, but how it would be handled by those left behind. I have had surgeries before and had only infection complications, which healed. That helps. I would tell someone that death is a risk you take the minute you step out of bed, but to not take the risks then you take a bigger one of not living at all. . . and not just in the physical sense, but the mental and emotional sense.

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?

Pre op answered question. . . Everyone was positive and supportive. I'd not have changed my way of communication at all. I was open and direct. I had my surgery yet, but I think they'll be supportive.

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

Pre op answered question. . . I'm a stay-at-home mom, so my kids are my employment. They were curious and concerned. I shared with them as much as I thought they needed to know about the surgery as well as how long it could take to lose the weight.

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

The stay was typical. The place clean. My sheets changed. The care adaquate, but not over the top. I was there 4 days. . . Bring a robe, yes, they have the hospital gowns and they double as robes, but you feel better in your own. Comfortable shoes... also, think about what you'll be wearing home. . .why choose pants? You had stomach surgery, go with a skirt, so going to the bathroom is easier than trying to pull up pants all the time.

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

I had some reactions to the stitching material. One incision remained purple, itchy, and swollen, but never infected. I just kept an eye on the incision, in time it has become a pink scar.

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 bit upset that once I got home I realized I should have been getting up on the right side of the bed at the hospital, not the left, like the nurses and doctors were having me do. The pain from getting up on the left side was rough, the right side was almost painless. I felt no anxiety. I simply accepted life and moved on.

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

Pain. It will go away. You may need help using the bathroom. This is no time to be embarrassed, so if you need help ask someone. You will get frustrated that you can't eat as much as everyone else. You may feel cheated by that, but remember in the end you did this because you couldn't control your eating habits before, now you are forced to. Take one day at a time.

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

Three hours.

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.

Eggs and chicken are very hard for me to digest. I've not had any issues with food or beverages.

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

5-8 (on a scale of 1-10 - 10 being the highest level of activity)

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

I take a multi-vitamen, calcium citrate, biotin, B1, B12

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?

No unexpected side effects.

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

The pain from the surgery itself.

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

My friends and family. . . It is extremely important. Without them this would be so much harder. They are my sounding board when I crave Mt. Dew, or bread.

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

I have 4 tiny scars and one larger. The larger is about 2 1/2 inches. It is a brighter pink, but that should go down. It is longer than the others which are barely 1/2 an inch.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES... but then again... maybe it is because I am treating myself better???