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

I had my gallbladder removed and my surgeon was so friendly. During one visit I had told him that I did want to lose weight but I couldn't, he told me the magic words..."have you ever thought about gastric-bypass surgery", he told me to just call my insurance company and ask if they cover it...and when he said that I began to really think about it and called my insurance...and they covered it! Initially I thought I will never qualify, they will never pay for it...but i did and they did.

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

My first piece of advise would be to call. The thought of picking up that phone and making that call seems impossible but it isn't. I called them, they gave me a short list in my area, and I chose the team. Second piece of advise would be to do what they want. It really was not difficult to get the information together need, it just took a couple of phone calls to my family Dr. and then waiting (that was the hardest part..waiting)

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

The very first visit with the surgeon was in a group setting, and it was FREE. He answered all of the FAQ in a seminar setting. Which was good for me because I wasn't alone staring at a surgeon explain something that I didn't understand. There were hand-outs and booklets explaining everything. He stayed after the meeting to answer individual questions. I don't know how long he stayed but he was there long before my questions and was there when I left. Get the most of this visit by asking question there and reading the material.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I realized what my weight was actually doing to me. The fact that the extra weight was killing me, literally. I had more than 3 co-morbidities and it was because of my weight. And when I realized that these problems would go away when my weight lowered, that was the deciding factor. And my Dr. assured me that you will lose weight with the surgery...I WILL lose weight..that thought didn't seem real to me, but the fact is that you will lose weight with the surgery...and I DID!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew when I went in that I wanted the surgery with best weight loss results. The sleeve or band just didn't seem powerful enough for me. But, I listened to my Dr. and he did approve me for the Roux-en-Y, that is when I when made my decision final.

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 scared silly. There are so many horror stories out there. But after listening to the team of Dr's and visiting the support groups, I realized that today, that my Dr. had done this procedure, and others, with such a great success that death or severe complications were possible but avoidable. They were NOT going to do this surgery until I was physically able and ready. They did not rush into anything. And I was determined to do what they told me to so that I would be strong enough and ready.

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?

Very few of my family or friends even knew I was having surgery. I chose not to tell them because I didn't want to hear negative feedback from them. I knew that I needed to do this and that I had made the right decision. Now I can't wait to tell them, so they can celebrate in the success of my new life with me.

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

I am a stay home mom, so fortunately I did not have to deal with an employer.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I was very glad I attended the first seminar. It was very informative. There were woman and men there that were post-op weeks and months, telling their success stories. That helped out so much because it help ease my fears...they were still alive...they looked great.

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

My hospital stay was good. They kept me well medicated and got me moving the evening of my surgery. I was there about 3 day and 2 nights. The most important things to bring I would say is moisturizing chapped stick, your lips get very dry. and your own pajama bottoms because you are going to be on your feet a lot.

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

I didn't have any complications. All the preparing and getting ready for the surgery. The waiting and optifast and Dr's appointments....and then a 2.5hr surgery, painless recovery and the go home. It almost seemed non-climatic. I suppose I was waiting for this big dramatic event...and it didn't happen, it was very easy.

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 very anxious. How did I cope? I asked question after question and read all my material over and over again. Noelle is my RN and she answered all my question even if I asked them twice.

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

My first week home (since I am post-op 1 week) I felt tired mostly. And I think for the first time in my life I didn't fight hunger. I ate because I had to, because it was time to. I got up at least every half hour to get my own drinks and exercise my legs. With three daughters it would have been easy to sit there and let them get my "things" but I knew I needed to get up and move.

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

The hospital was about 45-55 minutes from my house, depending on traffic, since it was in a busy city. This didn't effect my decision or aftercare at all. To me it was and is well worth it.

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 am only week 1 out right now, and my food has been limited to sf (sugar free) jello, sf Popsicles, sf pudding, sf cream cereals and soups, basically full liquids. Everything else is off limits but I really don't want them anyhow. On my 7th day out my diet was opened to sf pudding and creamy liquids and I struggled to eat 1 oz of pudding...it simply filled me up and I was satisfied.

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

The first week I felt very tired, and I literally scheduled my times to get up and move. I knew I had to move. Now only 1 week and 3 days out I am looking for things to do with myself. My energy level is pretty high and I don't want to sit for long. Who knew how pretty it is outside..LOL

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

I am currently taking a certain "stone aged family" chewable multivitamin with iron, calcium, B12 sublingual,and protein powder that I add to my meals.

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?

1 week out and the only thing that I have experienced it nausea (slightly) and a small amount of hair loss from the anesthesia. The nausea only last a couple of days and has subsided. I coped with the nausea with the anti-nausea medication that they prescribed and they worked very well.

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

Honestly, the worst part for me was the certain "fast" I had to do before surgery. I had not had the surgery yet, so I wanted to eat everything my husband and 3 girls ate. I had to rely on my own will power to complete those few weeks before my surgery. And I surprised myself because I did it! It wasn't easy but I did it!

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

Akron Bariatric Care Center/Dr Adrian Dan has a great support program, with meetings every month. This has been vital to me. I know I am not alone and there is nothing happening that someone hasn't dealt with.

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

I have 6 very small incision. 4 of them are merely 1 inch, 1 is slightly larger on my left side (about 2 inches) and on my right side is the drain site and that is about 2 inches also. I expect more or bigger. I was surprised that such a life changing surgery only left these small "marks" on my stomach.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am only one week out right now so I haven't had a plateau of any kind yet...The weight it just melting away, and my energy is climbing!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am only 1 week out, but 7 months into the program and I have lost about 50lbs already, and I went to see a couple of friends that lived out of town before my surgery. When I approached them I could see them "look me over" with a pleasant look in their eyes...I LOVED IT. They could see a change.