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

My older brother had rny a couple of years ago and i read all about it then. My first impression of it was i'll never do that i like to eat too much. But when i had to make a decision to get healthy and feeling better i loooked more into it and really found out all that was involved.

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

Geting insurance approval took long but not as long as i expected. Had to do support group meetings nutritionist and psych consult. the whole process took like 6 months. Advice i have don't get frustrated there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I thought it would be like forever but it went by quickly keep your head up and be positive.

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

My first visit was very informative about the surgery and what i had to do to get approved for the surgery.My surgeon wanted me to go and research different surgeries before i actually made a decision. He spent time with me to make sure i fully understood everything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i finally decided to have surgery when i couldn't do anything without gettin ooutof breath, when i could not get off the floor by myself and it started to affect my health.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did some research about the different surgeries and figured that the RNY was the best surgery 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?

I thought about the possibility of dying but i have faith in my surgeon and trusted that he would do everything in his power to see that i came through it ok. People having fears think positively that everything will be fine and have trust in your surgeon after all you did pick that particular one.

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?

Some of my family was supportive and some weren't. They would say that it was the easy way out which it isn't. I would want to tell people it's not easy you still have to work at losing weight. After my surgery my big support was my husband and a friend that already had the surgery makin sure i was ok and helped me with whatever i needed.

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 supportive and wished luck to me. I told them that i was having wls and i was out of work for 7 weeks.

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 good i had some great nurses and people that helped alot. I was there for 3 days. bring some personal hygiene things and things taht make you more comfortable.

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

no i had no complications what so ever.

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 felt excited but nervous all at once. I tried to keep busy with work and my family and talked to peole about how i was feeling. keep yourself busy and it will be no time when your having your surgery.

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

Well the first week i was home was the hardest i had an array of emotions thinking that i had made a mistake and what did i do to myself. But when i was able to walk a bit better as weeks went by which made things better. People should take it easy during the first few weeks but gradually do things more and more each day, Also expect some pain but it's ok cause you have to heal. Drink your fluids and make sure that you get your protein daily.

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

I only had to drive about 10 mins away from my home.

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.

Well at first it's just liquids like i'm talkin jello broth or apple juice only could have 2oz every 3 hours but believe it or not that two ounces seemed like alot at first. then it was full liquids like pudding and strained creamed soups same 2oz every 3 hours. After that was like pureed foods. and if you can't tolerate something your going to know it at h=this point. after pureed foods is soft foods and then you realize whats going to bother you. Personally i can't tolerate cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, and sometimes chicken. also it makes a big difference on how you prepare your foods. Now i'm 2 months post op and i'm able to eat a little more than i could before but it also depends on what your eating.

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

Activity that i did was i would walk up and down my driveway until i could do more and gradually increased as time went on and when i was allowed by my surgeon.

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

Daily i take 4 flinstones childrens chewable vitamins, 2 caltrate plus D and one b-12 pill sublingual.

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 vomited a couple times which was due to not chewing my food well or forgetting to eat slow. If you eat fast can't really tell that your full until it's too late, then your over full. I lost some hair but not noticeable if you take the protein like you should you'll be fine.

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

The worst part of the process was waiting for approval from the insurance company, it's like an edge of your seat type of thing.

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

I go once a month to a support group for people that has just had surgery and up to one year post-op. I find it very helpful in knowing that other people have the same questions as you and they are experiencing the same as you. Gives you a good sense that your not in this alone

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

My scar isn't bad, it's nice and straight and lookin better every day. yeah i expected to have a scar but i had faith n my surgeon that he would do an excellent job.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had no experience with that at this time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No not really, except i don't get starred at as much as i use to.