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

Don't remember how I found out, possibly on TV. My initial impressions were that it was only for the rich, an extreme measure for people that were far more obese than I was, and that I would never be able to have it done even if I wanted it.

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

Insurance approval can be a long frustrating process sometimes. The first thing I suggest to people is to call their insurance company to find out if they cover it and then get DETAILED instructions on what they need to have submitted to them. Also, after submission of all the paperwork to call periodically to see the status of the approval and if any other paperwork needs to be submitted.

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 long and sucked. I got stuck in one of those beds that were filled with air and I couldn't get in or out of it. I ended up staying in the little recliner in the room and was very uncomfortable. I was in for 5 days because I was severly bruised and had lost a lot of blood during surgery. I didn't bring anything but wish I had had a toothbrush, a small throw pillow for when I walked to hold my on my stomach.

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

I was severly bruised on my whole left side which was very painful and lasted quite a few weeks. I also had a hematoma at about 3 months that caused severe pain. I kept in touch with my surgeon's office and went through tests to determine the source. I had an additional 3 day hospital stay when they were trying to find the source of the pain.

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

Totally crappy. Anxiety level was extremely high as they took me off my bi-polar meds for 4 days. I dealt by crying a lot and trying to get as much rest as possible.

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

My first few weeks were rough due to the bruising. Everyone is different and many people are up and feeling well after just a couple days.

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

50 miles one way. It didn't affect 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 week was clear liquids only - water, broth, tea, sugar-free jello. Weeks 2-4 were semi-liquid or pureed food. I ate protein shakes, baby food (meat, veg and single grain oatmeal), sugar-free liquids like crystal lite. Weeks 4-6 I was on semi-solid soft foods such as very tender chicken or meat, eggs, fat-free cottage cheese, very tender veggies, applesauce, low sugar low fat yogurt. After that I could eat tender meat, regular cooked tender vegetables, cheese, low-fat low-sugar yogurt, a little spaghetti, and even started adding in some fruits. Then at 4 months I started getting nausea a lot and eventually got to where I could only manage to eat cheese sticks, low-fat cottage cheese, low-carb low-fat low-sugar yogurt, strawberries, watermelon, peanut butter crackers and reduced fat Ritz. I still am at that stage. I try to add protein with bars and shakes and I can't drink plain water because it makes me gag. I have to put a little crystal light in it.

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

Not much. Walking short distances was painful even a month out. I started going to a gym after about 3 months but at 4 months I started to be nauseous too much to go.

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

I drink protein shakes, eat protein bars when needed, take Centrum chewable vitamins once a day, Calcium +D every other day, Biotin for hair loss twice a day, Actigall to help prevent gall bladder problems twice a day, and a sublingual B12 pill every other 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?

Nausea was the worst and being so bruised and in pain was probably the second. Still dealing with the nausea.

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

This has been a very tough road for me. Again, everyone is so different and my experience seems to be atypical from the majority of surgery patients so please don't make a decision based on my experience. That being said, I would do it again.

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

There is one in the area but I don't know who to contact or when they meet. I have a friend who had RNY done 2 1/2 years ago that is my biggest support person.

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

Just 5 little one inch scars. They are my badge of honor in my opinion.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

In the six months since surgery I have stalled and bounced around by a few pounds especially in the last month or so. I know it's to be expected and I just put away the scale for a couple weeks when it happens. Stressing over it doesn't help weight loss at all, so I just keep going and I always seem to notice the difference in my clothes.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Unfortunately, yes. It's stupid that people should change their reaction to you because you're thinner but that's the way it is in America. The nicest part is my husband keeps giving me great compliments like calling me 'skinny' and telling me I'm shrinking away.