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

I have always said this is something I would never do because of all of the horror stories I heard. Then a patient at the clinic where I work came in for a preop and we talked about it and she educated me and it all began from there.

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

I was lucky and my doctor's office sent in for the approval and my insurance company said I must be under observation for 3 months of dieting to prove I could do it and then they would pay for it.

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

Educational. Write down ?'s before you go or you'll forget to ask everything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Finding out the risks were not as as they used to be.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went in wanting to go with the band but after some education I was worried I wouldn't get the results that I wanted and opted to go with bypass.

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 was worried about dying. I had never had surgery before and didn't have any idea of what to expect. I don't think there is anything you can tell someone to make them feel better. Their going to have fears but you can tell them about your experience.

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?

everyone was supportive except my mother. She had a friend who had her stomach staples years and years ago and she died on the table from complications so you can understand her fear.

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

I work for a family practice clinic and they of course are very educated and were therefore very supportive. I was off work for 2 wks.

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

I was extremely tired. The hospital nurses were great. I had no pain. I was there for 2 nights.

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

None what so ever

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 so excited but I was sched with in 2 wks of getting approval from my insurance so I didn't have too much time to dwell on it.

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

I had no pain. I walked around the house the first day and around the block the second day a couple of times.

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

I live about 65 miles away from my surgeon. It does make a ways to travel for f/u appts but it's worth it.

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.

on a liquid diet at first, then soft foods, the slowly introduce solids and no red meat for 6 months.

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

walked at first twice a day 30 minutes each time.

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

optisource, protein, 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?

i have had very mild side effects. hair loss wasn't too bad but I have thick hair. dumping I have if I eat too much sweets or fatty food. NO MILK, I thought I was going to die when I tried milk.

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

Honestly there has been no part that has been bad. I have been very lucky.

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

I have my f/u appts but that is about it. I live too far to drive for support groups. I do have a aunt that had this done and I find it helpful to talk w/ her. I also subscribed to OH magazine. I now have the internet at home and hope to get more support on line.

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

I have 5 small scars. Yes it was what they told me I would have.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I went a month w/out losing anything. It was not good.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have lost weigth and regained it so many times that people do not say anything to me now about my loss. I know they think I will gain it back again. I will show them!