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

The first time I read about bariatric surgery was on the internet and I said to myself "NO WAY!!!"

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

I had no problem being approved by my insurance company. I believe that my surgeon and his receptionist are very good at wording the letters to the insurance company.

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

My first meeting with the surgeon went alright except that I wish I had written down all my questions before going because I forgot most of them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Actually, it was this web site and my surgeons' support group that finally helped me decide to have the surgery. After hearing so many people telling of the wonderful results they had I felt confident that it could work for me also.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided to have an open RNY distal because it was what my surgeon recommended for me.

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?

My main fear was something happening that would make the rest of my life miserable such as not ever being able to eat again without throwing up.

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 (and his mother) were hard to convince about the surgery but I told them that I had definetly decided to do it and they slowly came around. After the surgery my husband and son were very supportive.

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

I told my employer and all my co-workers the truth. No one had a problem with it. I was out of work 18 days. Went back part time (6 hours a day) for two weeks and then back full time.

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

My stay in the hospital was alright. I was just uncomfortable and wanted to go home. I begged my doctor to let me go home so I only stayed for two nights.

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

I had no surgery 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?

I was excited when I was first approved for the surgery but as the date got closer I was petrified. This web site got me through it.

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

My first few weeks home from the hospital were mixed up. I had to teach myself how to eat small portions and eat slowly. I am still having a problem with the eating slow part. I must admit there were a couple of days when I cried and asked myself "what have I done?" That did pass though and I feel much better now. I highly recomend a recliner for sleeping for at least the first 2 weeks.

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

The hospital I had surgery in is about and hour and ten minutes from my home. I don't believe it affected my aftercare in anyway.

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.

I only had a dumping feeling once and that was when I had soup (pureed)that had little meatballs in it. Tomato products have also left me queasy. I have not really had anything that I'm not suppose to have like high fats and sugars so I don't know what they would do.

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

I didn't have much energy following surgery. I really felt when it came back it was right around the 4 week date.

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

I take 3 children chewable multibles, 2 vitamin B-12 and 6 Tums a day.

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 worst part for me was the queasiness from certain foods but this only lasted a couple of weeks.

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

I think the worst part of the entire bariatric surgery process was the not knowing what to expect.

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

Dr Lirio has a wonderful group of people that meet the first Monday of each month. I believe a support group is very important because you get to talk to people who are or have gone through the same thing you are. I can honestly say that I look forward to my meeting and wouldn't miss it for anything!

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

My scar is 8 inches long and really thin. I expected wider.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It's only been four weeks. I haven't really experienced any plateaus.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I haven't really notice any difference in the way people treat me but I have noticed a difference in the way I treat myself.