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

It first came to light when a co-workers wife was having the surgery and that the insurance company would pay for it.

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

It was fairly easy. But getting all of the agencies to code the everything correctly so the ins. co. would pay has been challenging.

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

I was very stressed out from work and worried that I would be able to take enough time off. Dr. H was wonderfull and staff absolutely superb!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that my knees and back hurt all the time. I never had any energy and was always upset. I hated going out in public and when I did I wanted to stay in the car as much as possible. I was ashamed of myself and was ashamed for my husband to have to be seen with me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance company would only pay for the RNY.

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 was so worried that something would happen during surgery. I also felt disgusted with myself that I would allow myself to be so selfish. I had to realize that I wasn't going to be around to help anyone if I didn't take care of myself first.

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?

I only told my family at first, they all said that I wasn't fat enough to have the surgery. Some thought that I was cheating. (Like only being able to eat 4 ozs three times a day if that and vomitting everytime something doesn't agree with you is cheating?!) At first I didn't want to tell anyone except my husband, but then I realized that wasn't very fair to him, that he was going to need support too. My husband is my best friend and if it wasn't for him I don't know what I would of done!

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

My boss was very supportive. He has been great through the whole process and still is. The five days in the hospital was rough, especially when my co-workers kept trying to call me to discuss work. I was on so many pain killers I didn't care : ) But my boss took care of everything for me. I was only off a week after I came home from the hospital, which I would not recommend! However, I have a desk job and went home early when I needed to.

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

It was very nice. I was in for five days including the surgery day. Come prepared for your menstral cycle! It didn't fail, I was late and that morning of the surgery bam!

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

Everything went normal. Every day after the surgery I felt better. Walking everyday was very important. I know you're sore and tired, but getting out of the house helps! I hated having the drain and G-tube in for a week after I left hospital. I would move in bed and it would pull.

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've kept some of my clothes and when I get depressed because I haven't lost any weight in a week or so I put them on. It's funny, because when I look in the mirror I can't really tell yet, but clothes don't lie! I try to focus on how I feel and not so much about how I look. It's going to take time. I have more energy than I've had in over a decade. I go to the park with my daughter. I actually got to fit in the swing and swing next to her. I get to participate in life now and not just wish that I could.

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

Don't do too much. Listen to your doctor! Even through you're loosing weight, there's going to be a lot of swelling, but don't get discouraged it will go down.

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

The hospital was almost two hours away. I missed my last appointment, but it's important to keep it up.

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.

Follow the dietary plan to the letter. Dumping is no fun! Sometimes I can eat chicken and other times I can't. Allrecipes.com has great low-fat tasty recipes. Eggs become your new best friend, so try to keep as much variety as you can. Since we've been eating healthier, my husband has lost weight too.

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

Slowly better every day.

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

At first just flintstones chewable, now I'm taking Centrum and calcium supplements. It's very important to take them. You can really feel the difference if you skip.

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?

Every once in awhile I still can't tolerate something. We don't eat out right now, but I'll go and get take out for the family and make my own. It's not that difficult anymore, since I've had some bad dumping episodes from trying foods that I shouldn't. I sleep better now. I haven't lost any hair, hope not to. I eat at least 2 ozs of protein before anything else at each meal.

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

Drinking enough water! I freeze bottled water so it stays cold for a long time after I take it out. I wake up in the middle of the night dyeing of thirst. I just can't seem to be able to get enough in me. I'm also scared of taking too big a drink and getting sick.

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

Since I live so far from Dallas, this website has been my main support outside of my husband.

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

Still dark purple. It's actually better than I thought. I've got a lot of stretch marks so I knew that I would never be able to wear a two piece anyway.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm in one now. I've only lost one lb. in the past two weeks and it's a little depressing. But my clothes are fitting nicer.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I've gotten a lot more attention, especially from my family about how great I'm looking. Not used to it yet.