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

One of my best friends had been going through the process with insurance and doctors and didn't tell anyone. Then one day she just tells us she was going to do it. I was very closed minded about it. I had heard nothing but horror stories about it. I watched her progress over about a 6 month period and I was amazed. I started researching for myself.

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

Getting insturance approval was very difficult and sometimes frustrating, but when it finally happened it felt really good. It was almost like I had completed the first step. People that are going though this stage should keep their chin up. Keep going and dont' give up.

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

The first visit was awesome, I knew I had picked the right surgeon. He was very informative. Answered all my questions in detail and helped put my mind at ease.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After looking at my family history with cancer and heart disease, and seeing the status of my heath at that time, (I was on 4 diffrent medications for asthma, blood presure, and the strongest of medications for GERD, which didn't help) I decided I needed to give myself a fighting chance. Dying from the surgery didn't scare me as much as dying from any of those I mentioned.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After talking with my surgeon we decided to go with the Lap Roux en Y. With the chances of having a possible open. I wasn't to sure about how do pick which one would be best, so with the help of my surgeon I was able to decide.

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?

Being overweight is just as bad has having this surgery. Except you have to carry your weight on your body. I was very afraid before I learned and I was VERY scared the day and morning before surgery, but all those pass. My surgeon and hospital staff were very helpful in helping me relax and feel better about what was about to happen.

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 mother, like me, was very scared for anyone wanting to have the surgery. I tired to educate her as much as possible before. Most of my family was afraid, but they were all supportive in the end, and still supportive now.

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 excited. Its nice to have an employer that is supportive of this type of thing. They relized that this would help me in the long run and I would be a more healthy person. I was only out of work for 1 week.

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

Hospital stay was okay. I mean, dealing with IV and cathater were very unpleasent, but is to be expected. I stayed one night. I really didn't bring anything with me except my cell phone. Friends and family called a few hours after surgery to get my status and it was helpful to hear voices that care and supportive while you are laying in bed with minor pain.

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

No 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 relised anxiety by going to they gym. I felt exersize really helped take care of that. I tired to see all my friends and try to use that to get it off of my mind. I had almost a month from time of approval until my surgery.

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

Pain! I had severe pain in my shoulders from the gas they use during surgery. This pain does do away after about 5-7 days if you keep up with walking. Food is very difficult to eat, but if you follow your surgeons orders you will have no problems.

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

I traveled 110 miles. There was no affect to my aftercare.

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.

The first 2 weeks were pretty much nothing but liquids. Anything else was quiet painful to eat. My 3rd week I starting having soft foods, "mashed potatoes, refired beans, etc." Starting my 4th week I was free to experiment with anything. I learned what I could and coudln't eat. Meats are very hard to go down. Steak was the most painful. Raw vegitables don't go eather, still at 2 months. Each day is diffrent and its almost like starting over. Today I can eat one thing and tomorrow I can't.

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

Activity was pretty much limited to walking. After the 3rd week I started working out at the gym 2 times a week. Every 2 weeks I incresed my workouts. Now I go 5 times a weeks, and somtimes 6. I very much enjoy the work out. with the weight I have lost already, the workouts are more enjoyable and not as painful.

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

B12, Multi-Vitamin, and Calcium

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 didn't have any of these side effects until about 1 month after surgery. I had vomiting. It happened once, (the time I talked about before when I ate steak) That was the only time. Walking helped, but as soon as I felt the urge I was ready to purge. Now at 7 months I have no real problems. I've learned to stop when I feel full, and contol what I eat.

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

The pain the day after. If you have proper medication then they pain will be controlled.

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

At this point I haven't participated in an aftercare support group. Currently looking into that.

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

Its actually not as bad as I had feared. Soft, but red after 2 months. Fades daily. Now after 7 months, 4 of the 5 you almost can't see. One of them had a hard time closing up. It took about 5 weeks, this one is a little more red than the others. Keeping Vitamin E on them really helps keep them soft.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau about 6 weeks after surgury. My weight maintained, and I lost inches. This lasted 2 weeks and then the 3rd week I lost 5lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Somewhat, people that know me give me lots of attention and go on and on about how good I look. I still get the looks from people, and I know they dont' know that I am losing, but it doesn't matter. I know what I am doing for myself. Now at 7 months, people notice me all the time. And people that have known me for years, don't know who I am. So after losing 16 inches and losing 125lbs. I really don't look anything like I did... So its to be expected.