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

I first discovered bariatric surgery through the media. I was against it at first, then through the years my mind changed when the surgery was still being performed and the results were better then in the beginning.

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

Fortunately my insurance was approved the first time it was submitted. For other people I would strongly suggest that they just hang in there. The staff at the physicians office is very knowledgeable on this subject and will assist in any way that they can to help.

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

It went very well, I was well prepared with all of my questions and concerns. I also had all of the information needed to reduce time. Make sure that you have all questions and concerns written down.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My weight kept increasing and I was doing everything I could to lose it. I was finally tired of worrying if I would fit in a seat, asking for a table and chairs at resturants rather than a booth. Not wanting to go to amusement parks because I was worried I wouldn't fit in the seat. My health was beginning to deteriate slowly. I'm a Grandma and I want to run and play with my Grandson.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched all of the procedures

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 had these fears very bad. I even told the Dr as he wheeled me into surgery to Please don't kill me, talk about alot of pressure for the doctor!! I would tell others that there concerns are completely normal, check the doctors mortality rates. And last but not least I would tell them that fitting into smaller size clothes and watching the scale drop feels a thousand time better then the fears they are having.

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?

Actually I received alot of negative comments about having the surgery, this is when I held back from having the surgery. I told everyone I changed my mind, which I did. 1 year later when I decided to reactive the procedure, I told very few people, only those very close to me that would support any decision I would make. There are still close family members that have no idea that I had this surgery. Those that know were extremely supportive after my surgery and I really depended on them.

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

My employer was very supportive and gave me the time off that I needed, upon returning to work they were very understanding and supported my needs. I was off of work for 6 weeks and I feel that this was a very good amount of time to be off of work, any sooner and I don't think that I would of physically been ready to go back.

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

I was very impressed with the care that I received at the Hospital. I was very hesitant because the Hospital is in a rough neighborhood and I'm a suburb girl. I was in the Hospital for 4 days. I didn't take anything with me other than toothbrush and tooth paste and shampoo and conditioner. I also took my MP3 player which I didn't use. I slept a lot.

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

Fortunately I did not experience any complications.

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

After I got the call with my surgery date I was so excited that I felt like I was going to burst inside! Then as the date got closer and closer I began to have hesitations and was second guessing my decision, even right up to the moment that they wheeled me away.

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

When I came home I was really tired and would tire very easily. I just laid back in my recliner and relaxed. As the weeks went on, I began to increase my activity.

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

The Hospital was only about 20 miles 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.

From day 1 - 10 I was only allowed liquids, which wasn't really bad at all, however, around day 10 I really wanted to taste some real food. Day 11 - 28 was pureed food and in the beginning it tasted so good !!! Beginning on day 28 through today which is 7 weeks post op, I have been able to introduce regular foods. I have learned to introduce one new food at a time. I no longer have the desire for the fast food greasy burgers and fries. I'm choosing healthy food. I still find that some days I can tolerate chicken and some days I can't. I have learned to eat slowly, chew food completely, and just relax. It is really hard to eat with a group of people because they are still eating fast and I no longer can do that. In the beginning of introducing regular food it would tend to irritate my digestive tract, but that has subsided and I'm tolerating food alot better now.

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

I would take walks everyday and walk as long as I could. I began working on the elliptical after 6 weeks and I only do about 5 minutes on the elliptical but will increase the time as time goes on. I am still walking in the evenings or on lunch breaks at work.

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

I take a multi-vitamin which I break in half, also I take the following, vitamin D once a week, Calcium twice a day, Prilosec, vitamin b12, and Iron

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?

Immediately upon coming home from the Hospital my snoring has stopped, I can sleep through the night without being woke up. I have vomitted a few time due to not chewing my food enough and also eating to fast. This has gotten better with time and learning how to eat.

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

I think the worse part had to be the waiting and also the prep the day before.

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

There is a satellite group that I intend to join. I just haven't done so yet.

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

My scar is very minimal, I had the surgery laproscopy and is very small compared to my c-section scar from my 4 children.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, it is really quite funny, everybody has noticed a change, however, they just aren't sure what the change is, so they are all commenting on my hair!!!!