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

I learned of the surgery from television, I remember Oprah having the Fobi pouch doctor on her show, and seeing stars like Carnie Wilson, Jennifer Holiday and Ricki Lake have the procedure done. After researching the mortality rates, I opted against it.

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

None

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

Doctor Richardson was actually the second doctor I sought out for this surgery. I was absolutely mortified by a woman who was a patient of the previous doctor. She described at a support group meeting how she was struggling to keep her weight at 90lbs, she looked like a walking skeleton and was about 5'6. Her pre-surgery weight was less than 200lbs, so I ha to question the ethics of a doctor who would o surgery on this woman. I researched Dr. Richardson and was very impressed. After meeting him I was sold, his competence, dedication and committment to health won me over. I suggest asking a lot of questions when meeting your potential doctor, write some down and call back if necessary.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The possibility of being diabetes-free!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The favorable outcome for diabetics.

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?

Research, research, research!!! I had no fears going in, because I did my research!

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?

It was evenly divided. My partner and grandmother were in agreement, my mother and sister were against it. By the time of my surgery, my wonderful beloved mommy had died, and my sister was still staunchly against it, while I still had my grandmother and partner's support. My sister still does not want to hear anything about my "pouch"! LOL

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

Great experience. I checked in on Wednesday morning at 9am, and woke up around 3pm RNY completed. I stayed overnight and checked out Thursday evening.

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

None 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 was increasingly anxious, but did not freak out.

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

I was nauseous for the first 3 weeks with almost everything I ate or tried to eat. The doctor ran a battery of tests to ensure there wasn't a medical reason for this and my test results were normal. So I was probably introducing food too soon to my new pouch.

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

In town hospital

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.

I realize why almost everyone tries to eat before we are ready to do so, it's not a deathwish or a need to screw up our surgery, but you feel normal. You ate chicken before surgery and you crave it, so you attempt to eat it! So I was probably introducing food too soon to my new pouch. By week 4, I was able to eat regular foods again, my favorite is Hot Wings from TGIF in the freezer section of the grocers. It's low in fat, high in protein and only 150 calories for 3 pieces. I am not good with sit down meals, so this gives me an opportunity to spread my 3 wings out over an hour or so, so I don't get cravings as often for other foods. Also chicken is heavy enough to leave you full after 1 piece. I'm more than 8 weeks out and still can not eat eggs though. I've been introducing new foods slowly, so as to not get sick.

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

The 2nd day home I did about a mile walk, it tired me out and I was super fatigued the following day. But by the one week surgiversary I was walking my keister off! My doctor did not allow stomach crunches until week 6 and I then joined a gym. I do cycling, crunches and swimming 3 times per week and at home I still cycle and walk.

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

I take 3 multi vitamin gummy bears, a B complex, B-12 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?

The only thing I've had so far is nausea and that was the first 3 weeks post surgery.

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

The nagging thought that I possibly could have done this without having surgery. The surgery was fine, the doctor and staff are phenomenal, but the pre-surgery diet and post surgery diet seem to be the biggest weight loss facilitators. So I'm wondering if I'd tried a diet as restrictive as what I started out on BEFORE having a surgery to lose weight, would I have lost the same amount of weight and ben equally as successful. I mean I did a liquid diet the 2 weeks before and a clear liquid the 2 weeks after and a strained iet in week 3 post-op, so imiting myself to 800 calories for 5 weeks coud have produced this same effect.

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

There is support group at the hospital and I frequently use this website, ok I use this website ALL AY LONG! LOL But many questions are answered here that I would feel too uncomfortable asking at the hospital.

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

5 tiny scars, almost invisible.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am currently in a plateau and have been for 3 weeks. Since I've been able to eat regular foods, I've not lost a whole lot of weight. I'll admit, initially I would sneak a few slider foods in, but now I'm more focused on my weightloss and staying below 900 calories, with an emphasis on protein, so I'm not sure what's going on.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, not really.