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

At first, I was scared to death. The thought of doing something so evasive petrified me and I just wanted to ignore the issue. My PCP brought it up to me, saying that my weight was one of the reasons I had such health problems and that I couldn't do this myself. He wrote a referral for a consult and I reluctantly went..

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

Once I had my referral in.. my approval was within a week. For those of you who are having problems getting this life saving surgery approved, my advice is ... don't give up!!!

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

Very informative. The surgeon drew diagrams and completely explained the procedure and what would be expected post operatively. Make sure you research the procedures fully before your appointment.. and bring a list of questions!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My PCP basically stated that without it I would be dead before I hit fifty. That was enough incentive for me!

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

I was in the hospital for 4 days. It was a nice hospital and the staff was very empathetic and knowledgeable on WLS. For me, the most important thing to bring was my own PJ's. You just feel better in your own PJ's. I brought: slippers, PJ's, cross word puzzles, books, chap stick, feminine products..and lots of undies.. FYI...I didnt read at all while I was in the hospital. I hurt too much to focus..

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

No,not really. I had some problems with my breathing and needed to have breathing treatments every four hours but other than that things were pretty uneventful. I did spike a temp on Post op day 1 and 2 and had to get tylenol suppositories for that.

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

Ironically, the closer I got to my surgery date, the calmer I felt. I was just anxious to get it over with and start my new life.. The anxiety I did feel though, I talked through with my husband and other friends who had surgery already.

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

I was very tired, sore, and a bit down in the dumps. I missed my old friend, food. It was a battle to be able to eat and not throw up. I was always thirsty.. but if I drank too much.. I couldn't eat anything. Try to have some help from family during this time..

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

an hour... not a big deal. After surgery my surgeon wouldn't let me leave town for 3 days.. so we hoteled it... but it was okay

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.

This is an interesting question. Now that I have been advanced to a regular diet.. I am finding a lot of things that just don't agree with me anymore. It is a day by day struggle. I eat a lot of cottage cheese. I don't do well with meat.. but I can tolerate a little chicken. Vegetables are touch and go as well. I can't eat.. anything gassy.. like cauliflower, brocolli.. cabbage. I can tolerate milk... in very small portions. Nothing tastes the same to me anymore. Everything tastes different.. and things I used to like.. make me sick now. On average... I am able to eat about 800 calories a day.. most of which is protein. I eat an egg daily.. and drink my protein shakes.

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

For the first 4 weeks.. I was very lethargic and didn't want to do too much of anything. Now... I feel light as a feather. I get lightheaded a lot which I think is either dehydration or low potassium, but... I can go!

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

I take 2 calcium suppliments daily and two prescription vitamins with extra iron. For the first 6 weeks... I only had children's vitamins

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 nausea for sure. I can't stand feeling sick to my stomach and a day rarely goes by that I don't feel sick.. or get sick. My hair is starting to fall out... but I am not sure that has hit home yet. Sometimes I am really down about these things.. but most often I try to problem solve my way through it. It took me 29 years to learn my old eating habits... it will take some time to learn the new ones..

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

Well... hmmm.. it's a tie between pulling the stupid drain out.. and the showers. My surgeon required all his patients to shower with special disinfectant... starting with post op day one. Man.. that hurt.. the whole thing sucked. But.. I didn't get an infection!!! The drain coming out.. really really hurt... but.. it's over quick..

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

There is a support group that meets once a month in Wichita Falls, but it is quite a distance for me. I have become friends with people from this site as well as Spotligh health and they have been wonderful resources for me..

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

My scar is big... and ugly and I really don't like it at the moment. I am hoping it will fade with time, but right now... my daughter calls it "Mama's zipper" because it looks like a zipper.. I didn't expect it to be so pronounced... but.. this scar is a small price to pay for my ... constant shrinking!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit a few small plateus mostly dependant on my period. I have noticed my weight loss will slow down significantly.. and then.. ironically enough... will improve if I eat more. :)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Definately! I am being noticed by men for the first time in forever. It is as if I was invisible all those years and now people can finally see me.