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

My sister talked with me about it and I thought there was no way I'd ever do something like that.

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

I was initially denied by my insurance company. I then went through the pre-op testing for surgery and throughout all the tests, I was able to obtain 100% coverage.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was very good. Do your homework, ask questions, learn about the reputation of your surgeon, learn about what to expect after the surgery. REALLY think about if it's something you can live with. It's definitely a lifestyle change, especially if you love food. Your stomach changes size, your eyes don't!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Being healthier.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I already had laproscopic surgery, so discussions w/my Dr. proved the incision method would be best for me due to already having scar tissue.

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 have extreme fear of dying from the surgery. It is something that happens. I knew that if I didn't have the surgery, I was going to die from being overweight too, so the risk was worth it for me.

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 husband was very supportive of my decision. He never swayed me one way or the other. He knew this was something I had to decide for myself. I did not tell many people outside of my family of my choice to have surgery. It was not something I wanted to talk about regularly.

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

My supervisor was extremely supportive/surprised. I was overweight, but he did not realize this was something affecting my general health. I was honest with him and he was appreciative of my honesty. I was out of work for approximately 5 weeks.

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

My hospital stay was 4 days. My surgery was scheduled for early morning...the 1st night after my surgery was difficult, but the excellent nursing staff got me through it and made me realize I had made the right decision for me. The most important things to bring would be slippers (for walking, walking, walking), robe and a positive attitude.

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 was EXCITED. I had already made the decision to have the surgery and couldn't wait for my new life to begin.

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

The first few weeks at home were very tiring. I was on a liquid diet for 4 weeks. In the long run, I think this really helped me out, allowing the healing process to have time to do it's thing. People should know not to expect your body to bounce right back from surgery. It will take time. It will happen though.

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

I traveled 200 miles to have my surgery. It did not affect my aftercare in any way. I chose the hospital due to it's reputation and staff.

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.

Right after surgery I was on a liquid diet for 4 weeks to allow the healing process to do it's thing. Since surgery, the foods I find I cannot eat are: hamburgers (meatballs are okay), anything with fat & sugar (dumping syndrome), pasta & rice fills me up way too fast and does not stay with me, so I avoid it. As time went on, I found my appetite returned, although the quantity of food consumed was drastically reduced. I can eat most foods (with the above exceptions) in very very small quantities.

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

Walking every day. Now I have an elliptical machine at home and use it 1 hour each day. Sit ups, crunches, etc.

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

Calcium, B-12, Multivitamins

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 was fortunate to not have extreme side effects. Immediately after surgery I suffered from nausea in the hospital, but they took care of that with medications. I do have dumping issues, but only when I eat something I shouldn't and I typically know before I eat it what the ramifications will be. I cope with them by not eating what I shouldn't

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

Going through the Insurance approval process.

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

My family is my support group.

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

My scar is about 7 inches long down the center of my torso. Initially it was very red, now (2 yrs post op) it's obviously still there, but fading nicely. I do not wear bikini's but could.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

About 1.5 yrs post op I stopped losing weight and stabilized. I have now been at the same weight since. This is huge for me because I've never been able to maintain a healthy weight once weight loss has been achieved.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Definitely. They want to talk to me now, not ignore me.