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

TV, newspapers etc.

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

Complete every ounce of paperwork they tell you too and follow up, follow up, follow up. I didn't have a lot of issues with insurance approval but I was truly organized about the process.

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

I attended an information session with a large group of folks. The surgeon was charistmatic and his staff was terrific.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

A diagnosis of "pre-diabetes."

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The "pre-diabetes" diagnosis steered me towards RNY.

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 scared enough to write letters to my children and husband, in case something happened to me. That said, I knew my surgeon had done thousands of surgeries, just like mine and I was willing to take the risk.

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 think they were nervous, but wanted me to be healthy and happy. Because I'm a very open person, I told my boss, co-workers, family etc. I also considered that a good way to keep me on track... because I knew everyone would be watching.

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

I was off work for 2 weeks, and used my stored up sick time. I had no issues with my employer, co-workers or family.

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 two days. My pillow was the best thing I brought, as was a good robe to cover up when you're walking, walking, walking.

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

I had no complications from the surgery.

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

It was roughly four weeks from the time I got my surgery to the actual date, and it seemed like forever. Wrapping up things at work and getting things organized at home was a top priority, so I kept busy. I kept up with my visits to Curves and prayed a lot.

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

The "broth and jello" stage was difficult, not because I was hungry, but because I got so tired of the same thing every day. I threw up twice in the beginning, when I was able to progress to "real food" because I ate too fast or didn't chew enough. Rest is important, as is walking, walking, walking to help with the gas.

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

The hospital where I had my surgery is about 40 minutes from my house, so the trek wasn't all that significant. My aftercare was at the same location.

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.

My surgeon if fairly conservative, so the progression from liquids to purreed to solids was slow. I didn't eat beef or pork for six months. I still don't eat much salad or raw vegetables and very little dairy, because they bother my stomach (i.e. lots of gas.) Tuna and shrimp were my mainstays. I was religious about protein shakes as well (made with water, no milk).

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

I walked every chance I got, and went back to Curves at the 4 week mark.

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

I take multiple vitamins and do 2-3 protein shakes a day (Champion Whey Stack, Chocolate.) My vitamin regime includes bariatric advantage multi-vitamins, calcium, iron, b12, multi-B, folic acid, milk thistle, magnesium citrate, vitamin C and multiple stool softeners each 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?

I lost a little hair, but it wasn't signicant. I do not beleive I've ever "officially dumped" but I have felt "yucky" after consuming too much sugar. I have only vomitted 3 times, but have felt like I was going to many times, particularly if I eat too fast or don't chew well. Constipation is my biggest issue, though I do take six stool softeners a day, and add Mirolax to my protein shakes.

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

I don't really have a "worst" other than I'm not overjoyed about the constipation. This was an issue for me prior to surgery as well, it's just something I have to really pay attention more so now.

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

I did attend multiple support group meetings in the beginning but have tapered off my attendance as I approach the 2 year mark.

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

I had a laproscopic procedure so there are five little scars. One is a little bigger than the others (that's where the staples were) but they're still quite small, in retrospect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had several plateus lasting 3-4 weeks. Though they were frustrating, they did help me "re-focus" on the basics and eventually, the weight went down again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I was not heavy as a child and was popular in high school in college. For me, it's sort of like "returning to my old self." I have always been an outgoing person, but I notice men respond more now. As I am happily married, this isn't something I pay much attention to, but it definitely is a fact now.