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

I first heard about when I was a little kid. My aunt had it in the late 70's (stomach stapling) It didn't work for her because she ate too much and I guess broke the staple line? She eventually got upto over 500 lbs. When I started thinking about it for myself I had no idea how many people were actually doing it. I went to a seminar at the Wish Center and that day I knew I was going to get it done no matter what it took. When I searched online further and found this site I was amazed at the number of people who had gotten it (or were in the process of getting it done) I used to sit on my computer from the time I got home from work till late in the night reading profiles on this site. My impression of the surgery was that it was a lifetime committment to make a drastic change in my eating lifestyle.

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

I was so lucky my insurance approved me right away. Of course my surgeon was an out of network surgeon so I had quite a large part to pay myself, but without insurance I would probably have taken a loan of some sort out to cover the rest. If your insurance won't pay for this just figure out a way to pay for it on your own, its so worth it!

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

My first visit with the surgeon was a very long day. I would have a list of questions typed out in case they don't cover everything. But mostly I would take notes about what the surgeons expectations are from you in order to get qualified. If they don't have any requirements then you are at the wrong place. My surgeon had me go on a strict 8 week regimen and that was the best thing ever to prepare me for surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew immediately when I went to the seminar. There was no way I was going to live with being 250+ lbs for the rest of my life and I was sick of failing at every diet I ever tried.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I let the surgeon tell me what he recommended. I was really glad that I had gastric bypass, it just seems more straight forward than the lap band. I wanted the surgery that had the best long term results and RNY seemed to have that.

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 did have those fears, I would tell someone thats totally normal, just keep reading the positive stories of others and that will keep you brave to go into the surgery. Also just tell yourself if you are meant to die on the surgery table that is what was intended for you. The chances are so slim.

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 address this in another question, but I would just talk to anyone who is close to you individually. Explain what WLS is, disspell the myths and just be honest about how being overweight affects your life. If somebody judges you for it then they are just mis-infomed and probably not somebody you need in your life during this time.

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

I didn't tell them, it was none of their business. I did tell my co-workers because we were all very close, but I didn't tell my boss, I just said I was having surgery and I would be out for 2 weeks. ( I ended up being out for 3--I could have gone back after 2 but I hated my job at the time so I really didn't feel like I owed them anything and I wanted the time to really get into understanding this new stomach)

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

The hospital I stayed at (Valley Medical Center in Renton Wa) was so awesome. They had a special bariatic unit so other patients and I could interact with each other. I only stayed 2 nights there so I can't say I really needed to bring anything with me.

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

I had no complications from the surgery. Your best bet is to work with a highly reputable surgeon even if it costs a lot more money.

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

Oh gosh, the anxiety got really bad the month leading upto surgery. I did a few things that I DO NOT recommend doing..they are 1) reading the WLS memorials---do not do that! 2)Watched a video on the Internet of the actual surgery being performed.---Do not do this either. I literally almost cancelled my surgery after seeing that. It was so scary. I had feelings of anxiety like I was testing fate and that this was going to not work, somehow I would screw it up. I kept myself busy the weeks leading upto surgery. I had a weeklong business trip right before surgery and that took my mind off of things...although the plane ride home I was so scared the plane was going to crash and keep me from getting my surgery. All the anxiety is really normal. I DO RECOMMEND: I took each one of my friends and close family members out to have a private conversation about my choice to have the surgery. I wanted the opportunity to educate and disspell the myths about WLS to each person that was close to me. I was really afraid that people were going to judge me for having it, but everyone was really supportive after I explained WLS to them.

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

The first 2 weeks were really a breeze because I had no appetite. Toward the end of the 2nd week I started craving things--I remember the one thing I couldn't wait to have was a salad and tater tots. I never really ate tater tots prior to WLS but I just had to have them as soon as I could have mushy foods. I could only eat about 3 of them. Enjoy the time that you can eat so little...once you get about 2 years out you will be eating a little more and you will always wish you could go back to that time just post WLS when you could only eat 2 bites and be full.

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

Just about 20 miles south, not a big deal.

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 really only have tolerance issues with high sugar foods, I can only eat a few bites of any dessert which is a good thing. I also get a little sicky feeling if I eat something that is too rich in creams (the worst sick I have ever gotten was after eating lobster bisque). I also can't eat too much of a food that is high in fat like potatoe chips--although it depends on the kind. Some foods I find I can eat alot of for some reason like angel hair pasta or other thin pastas, popcorn. I can also drink alot of alcohol...which has gotten me in trouble a few times at my lower weight. I can eat alot of salad and most fruits I tend to be able to eat a healthy amount of. I think that stuff just turns to liquid in my stomach. I don't really drink juice or milk, they tend to make me a little nautious, but I never drank that before (no soda either unless its mixed in with vodka or rum). My doctor said I wouldnt be able to eat steak or drink champagne but I do both and I have no problems.

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

I started walking 30 minutes per day on the 4th day post op. I stuck to walking or doing the elliptical trainer for about 8 weeks post op. I then added weights. I wish I would have been more diligent about weight training in my first year post op, it was really sporadic and I think I would have had better muscle tone if I would have done more weight training and less cardio.

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

multi vitamin, liquid b complex, iron, calcium, vit D. I have really struggled with vitamin deficiencies and anemia since WLS. I have also struggled with maintaining a regular menstruation. I don't know if that has to do with WLS or not

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 worst problem I have dealt with is hair loss from my anemia and iron deficiency. I have never had a problem with vomiting. I get nausious when I eat stuff that I'm not supposed to or I eat too much, which I rarely do.

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

The anxiety leading upto it.

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

I wish I was more active in a support group but I have just been too busy living life. I do log onto this site every so often to get updates and to look at profiles and FAQ's. When I had the iron deficiency issue I looked at questions other people had posted about that. If I think I am eating too much I will log on and look at posts about what other grads are eating. I really should be in a support group though.

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

I had open RNY so it was pretty big, although I just had it revised when I had my lower body lift so it looks alot better.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost very consistently for 18 months, but slowly. It took 18 months to lose 100 lbs for me, actually it took about 6 months to lose the first 50 and that was tough I thought I was doing something wrong. I weighed pretty much the same give or take 5 lbs from 18 months till just recently I have taken off another 10-12 lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Uhh, yeahhhh!!!!!! At about the 50 lb weight loss point doors started opening up for me, literally. Men who had paid no attention to me in the past were all of a sudden interested in what I had to say. I was getting job offers left and right....it was crazy. Now I am starting to get used to getting alot of attention, I almost expect it. If someone doesn't refer to me as being hot or gorgeous or somehow complement my looks I feel like its a down day. I know that sounds bad, but I deserve the attention, I went for so long without it.