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

A family member had the surgery about 4 years before I did, she had an open cut and I was afraid to do that. My endocrinologist suggested a doctor to me about three years later that did the surgery laproscopically, I thought this was a better option.

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

I did not have a problem with my insurance, but I also had almost every weight loss attempt documented either thru my primary car doctor or actually having my old weight watcher records that I copied and sent to the insurance company. I also documented thru my doctor how I was trying to be as healthy as possible even though I was morbidly obese. (Going to dietitians, and diabetes seminars, etc.)

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

I had a very positive first meeting with my surgeon. It was actually a group of about 15 people and it was an iformational meeting of about 4 hours and all our questions were answered.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Something the surgeon said to me after our first private meeting. He told me that the surgery was a tool, and if I really wanted it to work it would. If I did not put the work into it, it would not. I was sold after that because I was ready to do the work.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i went in all along knowing that the RNY proceedure was best for me and never really looked to hard at anything else.

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?

Oh i had all the fears, at first I thought I was being selfish, I have a husband and two teenage sons and thought what would they do without me, but then I realized that if I didn't have the sugery and the chance at better health they would probably loose me at an early age anyway.

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 family was very supportive as were my freinds, they all nknew how hard I tried and thought it was a brave decision.

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

I didnot tell many people outside of my close family and freinds, most people thaought I had gall bladder surgery, of course I had to tell them when I started losing alot of weight and they were all very supportive.

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 a typical hospital stay, I was surprised how easy the surgery went, I had no complications and was able to go home in three days. The most important thind is a toothbrush and toothpaste, your mouth gets so dry because all you can do is sip or do ice chips.

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

None at all.

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 not anxious at all, I was very happy (I did feel nausea quite a bit ) But the weight just started falling off wich was amazing.

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

You should plan on folowing doctors orders to the letter!!!! Do not stray from the plan at all. And most importantly drink your fluids! You will be tired for the first couple of weeks but then the energy kicks in and look out you are ready to take on the world. (Sometimes you feel alittle sorry for yourself that you cant eat everything but the rapid weight loss gets you over this pretty quickly)

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

I was very lucky I have two very large Hospitals two towns away from me, so only about 20 mins.

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.

This is the only problem I have had all along, I don't tolerate many foods well any more. I rely alot on protein shakes and bars, yougurt cottage cheese and high protein soups. Even now I really cant eat chicken or beef. I do OK with some seafood. I still do not eat much more that 800-1000 calories a day, by my doc says my bloodwork is fine. And I feel great.

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

It started off slowly but increased rather rapidily. I almost think my body had reserved all its energy all my life so I could use it all now!

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

A bariatric multi vitamin, two injections of B-12 per month, calcium, flax seed oil, COQ-10, and an antacid.

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?

Nausea happend alot in the first few months now only once in a while, I will still dump if I have something inapropriate. I coped by being as diligent as possible.

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

The plastic surgery after!!!

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

My surgeons have a monthly support group. We have recently divided it into two groups. Newer post ops and over 18 month post ops, I think this is very important to my success.

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

I only had five small scars because my surgery was done lapriscopically.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost weight like crazy for the first 10 months, then didn't loose anything for about four months, then lost the last bit of weight in about the last five months, just before my plastic surgery.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely. I am almost embarassed to say this but people are nicer to me now that I am thin.