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

My sister in-laws...sister in law had the surgery...she was close to 400 pounds. I grilled her for information...she looked amazing & I didn't recognize her...when I saw her I was shocked, amazed, and WOWED! She really explained all the pro's and con's of the surgery and seeing her living life fully gave me hope.

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

My preliminaries before WLS surgery were all approved...I was "preapproved" for the RNY...until a week before the surgery....then I was denied...it was an awful feeling & I am very very thankful that I had the funds to pay out of pocket. My advice is to research EVERYTHING fully...get everything in writing and document every discussion you had with the insurance company..Name/date/time etc for backup.

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

I went to the informational seminar. Dr. Barba was very kind, humerous, and approachable. When I finally was able to meet him face to face he made me feel like the most important patient that he's ever worked with. :-)

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have the surgery after researching other options talking in depth with a person who went through the surgery....and looking at myself long & hard with all of the health issues starting to creep up. I wanted to LIVE to see my son graduate from college..get married..and (GULP) maybe someday become the COOL grandma lots of kids want to have. I had tried so long to get the weight off and I knew this was my last option.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

RNY was the only choice for me...it keeps me honest with my portions....I avoid sugar and very very little carbs.

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 honestly didn't have any fears....I was a little unsure of what kind of pain there would be...and there was but it wasn't too too overwhelming. I had total peace in my heart with my decision to have the surgery. If you are afraid..get good support people to talk with and surround yourself with POSITIVE people who have your best interests at heart.

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?

My family was shocked but supportive. My family is a little disfunctional where a few members told me "not to eat so much" or "just diet more"...it's unfortunate that people are ignorant where there is more to obesity than just "eating less". My results and health speak for the success I had with the surgery when my family sees me active and SMILING.

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

My employer was terrific and VERY scared for me. He is very spiritual and he would often pray for me that God's will would be done. He let me take any time I needed for appointments and was TRULY awesome about the whole process. I was laid off the week before surgery (our company closed) so I waited 4 weeks before finding new work..hindsite is 2-20 & I should have waited longer to heal..I overdid it and tired myself out at my new job and wound up in the hospital due to not taking care of myself with lots of liquids etc...Totally my fault and not from the surgery.

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

My hospital stay overall was a good experience the nurses were attentive. I had a nurse in training that spent a whole day with me..she was WONDERFUL..and we really bonded. Down side was the hall ways were extremely crowded and it was hard to walk the halls without having to manuever out of people's way.

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

I did get a bladder/kidney infection a few months out. I went to my local hospital and PCP for follow-up. I'm not sure if it was caused by my surgery or not taking care of myself due to going back to work and working ALOT of crazy hours.

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 EXCITED and our company was getting ready to close so my focus was making sure the people I worked with were ok and finding new jobs. I had anxiety and fear the week before surgery when my insurance Co reneged their approval. That was an overwhelming time in finding how to go about having the surgery but it all worked out in the end.

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

My husband stayed with me the first full week after surgery. He has been a wonderful support. I was out and walking about that first week (slowly) and making sure I was following guidelines to a T. Each week got easier...I did suffer from lightheadedness/dizziness and I'm thinking it was withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft. That was awful...otherwise I felt pretty good but a little sore.

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

Not far...a few towns over.

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 couldn't eat rice, pork (still can't) or steak.

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

Walked a few miles each day slowly after surgery. I did get tired quickly.. By week 4 was feeling like my old self. Joined CURVES once I got the go ahead from my WLS. Went 5 days a week for 30 minutes. LOVE to exercise & work out. 3 years out now & I go to the GYM 6 days a week for 1 1/2 - 2 hours a pop.

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

Calcium.. I'm naturally high in B12, Multi-Vitamin. My iron is a little low

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

I use the website. Haven't been to a support group meeting.

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

My scar is huge due to some recent surgeries. I was "recut" open. Not a happy camper with this.. as the scarring is very heavy/thick now.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I platued at around 6 months.. would go a few weeks then drop 7 - 10 pounds..it was a cycle that lasted until about 14 months out then I stopped losing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

ABSOLUTELY.... that's the sad part of the whole thing.. Society puts value on appearance.