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

I meet several people from work. I thought it was the easy way out. I thought "If you can't lose weight on your own, you deserve to be fat".

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

My insurance came back and ask my PCP for another letter stating I had been under a MEDICALLY SUPERVISED diet for 12 months. Make sure you have everything your insurance requires.

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

I ask lots of questions. I was ready !! I had done alot of research on my own. Ask questions, if the surgeon doesn't want to answer them, you need to find another surgeon.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only performs the OPEN RNY. I knew that I wanted the "GOLD STANDARD" of gastric bypasses the RNY.

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 worried about blood clots. Nothing else. I already knew I was dying, this was not an issue for me. Make sure you know the risk and that you are willing to live or die with them.

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

He didn't think I was "Large Enough" to meet the BMI of 40. I was 162 pound overweight ! LOL

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 5 days. It was good, for being in the hospital. The most important thing to bring is a LONG WOODEN SPOON to help you wipe yourself. When you cut from the beastbone to the belly button, and stapled....you need some help.

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

I have not had 1 complication.

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 schedule about 13 days ahead of time, so I didn't have much time to dwell on it. I had lots to do at work and at home.

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

I was very tired. I slept alot. I took the full 6 weeks off from work and needed every day !! Don't be in a hurry to go back to work, you need time to rest and get your eating or drinking schedule down to a tee before returning to the "Normal" world.

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

I traveled about 1 1/2 hours away. Didn't affect my aftercare. The only thing I don't do is go to that support group. I attend one locally.

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.

Clear liquid for 1st week Full liquid for the 2nd week Soft Food for 4 weeks (eggs, cheese, beans, peanut butter, crackers) Seafood at 8 weeks Chicken and Turkey and Pasta at 12 weeks Soft Veggies and fruit at 4 months Raw veggies and fruit at 5 months Red Meat and Pork at 6 months Going from the liquid diet drinking 1 - 2 ounces every hour on the hour for 13 hours to the soft food stage at only 3 times a day was hard. Off limit foods - Coconut - never Soda - diet and after 6 months Sugar - Never

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

Very low. I walked around my house every few hours.

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 problem I had was hair loss....between 3-6 months. I increased my protein and starting using NIXION Shampoo and cut my hair short. I have only mildly dumped from orange juice. I stay under 9 grams of sugar per serving......generally try to stay under 5.

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

Nothing.

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

I am part of 2 local online/ in personal support groups. Several website support groups such as this one. It is SO IMPORTANT. I try and tell everyone to get into a support group.

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

He told me it would be 4-6 inches long. It was 13. Now that my stomach has gone down it is about 5. It is Keloidy.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am on a PLATEAU now. From 9 - 12 months I have lost only 8 pounds. I hear people say they are on a plateau and have not lost anything for 10 days.......This is not a PLATEAU !!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES !!!! Very different. It almost makes me mad sometimes. I am the same person. (ONLY BETTER NOW)