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

My father who is doctor told me about the surgery and suggested that I start researching it. I off course treated it as I did every other diet idea with complete skeptism. Then Carnie Wilsons story came out and I really started thinking that perhaps this was something that might actually work.

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

This was actually a painless part of the my WLS experience. My doctors office has a full time insurance person who spends the day getting approvals. I have great insurance and they paid for most of the surgery except for some co-pays here and there.

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

I actually was not impressed with my first visit ot the doctor. I felt like I was just part of the factory being pumped in and pumped out. I left there feeling a bit discouraged BUT I vowed not to give up and realized that in order to get what I needed I had to be my own advocate. I also realized that this was an emotional journey and that perhaps I needed to bring someone with me each time I saw the doctor so that I could have a second set of ears hearing everything since sometimes you can be so emotional you do not absorb all the right information.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have to surgery because I knew that it was time to make a change. I wanted to improve my life while I was still young (I was 31).

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor decided which procedure I was going to have. I knew I wanted a Roux n Y rather than the Lap Band and then I learned that unfortunately I have a very small torso so the surgery was going to be open rather than Laproscopic.

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 actually did not have any fears. I knew of the complications and I knew there was a risk of death BUT at the same time I knew of the complications and risk of death that I had staying obese. I decided the risk of surgery was worth it. I would tell people who are thinking of having the surgery that its worth the risk because on the other side life is WONDERFUL

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?

I actually told very few people that I was having the surgery. I wanted to do this journey on my own at the begining with just the support of my immediate family. I knew i was going to feel really crappy so I decided that it would be better for me to not have a ton of phone calls and visitors, so that was how I came to my decsion.

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

I love this question since I own my own company. I really had to rely on my employees to hold down the fort while I had the surgery which was something I had never done. I was out for a little over 2 months and then I had some time where I was working part time for a month more.

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

I was in the hospital for 5 days and it was actually not an unpleasant experience. I think the most important thing to bring is a good attitude! I brought a book and some magazines but really did not read. I brought a night gown but I really did not need one. I think what was really important the first few days was that my mother spent the days with me and that was very helpful, because she was not only a companion but she was my advocate if I needed a nurse or something.

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

Yes I did. I allowed myself to get dehydrated about 3 weeks after surgery and as a result I was put back in the hospital. I also suffered from TERRIBLE NAUSEA. I dealt with them as they came up. I know that I wish now that I had paid more attention to the classes that were taught as far as side affects, because it might have helped in the long run

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 did not suffer from any anxiety I was to busy trying to get enough food and drink into my body. That in itself was almost a full time job. I also was battling nausea so I spent a lot of time trying to deal with that.

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

During the first few weeks I think we need to be reminded that we have just had MAJOR surgery and that we have to deal with that. I think we have to be paitent as our body heals and try not to do to much. I know I am a very competive person so it was very hard for me to hear about people who had surgery around the same time I did doing better or worse than me. I think learning how to relax is the most important thing

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

The doctor and hospital was about 45 minutes from my house and the only time that really affected me was when I was put back in the hospital for dehydration and we had to drive up to the ER at 10:00 at night

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 could barely eat anything right after surgery and we found out that one of the things causing the nausea was the fact that my body cannot tolerate an all protein diet. Once we started added a few carbs to my diet, I was a new person. As the weeks progresed I was able to keep adding foods to my diet. What I found most interesting was that one week I could eat a food and love it and the next week be completely nauseated by it. It took at least three months before I could tolerate chicken, pork and beef. I think the hardest thing is that as I get farther and farther away from my surgery date, I am noticing that I can eat more and that I am more tolerant of sugar and that terrifies me. It is definately something I have to watch.

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

The first few months I did very little. I was staying with my folks since I live alone and needed the help. Everyday, they made me at least walk around the block. I was slowly able to do more and more. At about 4 months, I was able to start working in a gym with a personal trainer

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

I must admit I am the worst person when it comes to taking my vitamins, I never remember to take them! WHICH IS BAD

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 had terrible nausea that lasted about a month. I was given medication and I just had to stick it out. My hair began falling out at about the 3rd month and now it seems to have slowed down and that was just an pain in the ass but you can live with them. Other than that i have been fine

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

I think the relearning how to eat slowly (which is not as easy as you think) Also learning how to drink enough and excersise enough. The worst part was the first few weeks after surgery when you feel like you have been hit by a mac truck

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

I occasionally go to the support group that my surgeon has. I belong to a few on line groups and I work with a therapist. I find them helpful, BUT I find I dont need them as much as I thought I would.

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

My scar is actually quite long, BUT it is a like a battle scar, I am proud of it. It had faded quite a bit in seven months and once I have a tummy tuck to get rid of all of my scars I think the scar might be close to no existant

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am actually on a plateau right now. I have not weighed myself in a long time so number wise I have no idea how much I weigh BUT my body is still changing shape and I am growing out of my clothes so I am pleased as to where I am.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Of course, everyone wants to know how I have lost the weight and how wonderful I look. It is a bit overwhelming