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

I was in nursing school and one of the first patients I took care of was a bariatric one and thats when I first learned about it. I have to say though like many others, Carnie Wilson was my inspiration. I was amazed at the results right ftom the beginning and knew it was for me, Then I found this site and was totally convinced.

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

My Dr. Office sent a letter to my insurance company and I got an approval letter in the mail about a week after. My experience was easy, but even if it wasn't I would have done anything whatsoever to get approved or pay for this surgery.

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

It was fabulous!!! I had been waiting about a year from the first time I called his office to finally get a one on one visit with him and was so excited to finally have it!! Make a list of ALL questions that you have about the surgery, preop, during surgery and post op. Find out all the info you can so you can feel prepared.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was just sick and tired of feeling tired and fat and knew that this was probably the only weigh for me to succeed with my weight loss ventures. I also felt 100% confident in my surgeon who has been doing this for 20 + years.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided RNY because of my love of sugar items, but it probably wouldn't have mattered because postop I never have once dumped from having sugar. I also felt it was a beeter procedure to have in the long term.

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 had no fears of complications because I have had 3 surgeries in the past and they were all very successful and I'm a nurse so I know what I had to do postop to be successful. I did however have some fear of some accident happening on the operating table. I wrote letters to my husband , my kids, my parents and my sister and brother in case something happened to me during the operation and that was very helpful for me to cope with that fear.

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 very supportive and thats all I have to say.

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

They were also supportive. I was out of work 6 weeks approximately. I told them the minute I knew my surgery date so that they had enough time to find a replacements for me and they appreciate that.

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

It was great. Everyone was so very nice. Bring a picture of your kids, a bathrobe and slippers and your makeup ofcourse.

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

The only complication I had from my surgery was from my NG tube. It was taped too tight to my nose and actually left a scab that took several weeks to heal and looked awful. Otherwise it was a complicaiton free surgery.

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 felt so relieved after I finally got my surgery dat. I spent alot of time with family and friends and kept busy. I also have a dear friend named Jena Tamasese that was having surgery 5 days after me and she was a great supporter.

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

I was in alot of pain at night and spent the first week sleeping sitting up on my sofa surrounded by pillows. Just take your time learning your pouch and follow your doctors instructions

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

No traveling really, it is just 10 minutes from my house.

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.

The first month I pretty much stuck to pureed everything and protein drinks. Then I started to eat barbeque chicken, italian chicken, mexican chicken, lettuce, cheese, cottage cheese and alot of wendys chili. By 2 months out I think I was eating mostly different meat and salads. In the last week, I had my first square of pizza and it was very delicious. Right now I can eat small amounts of most everything.

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

I started gung ho with walking and a month later added pilates and my exercise bike. Then unfortunately, my activity level has decreased since it has gotten colder and I really need to join a gym. There just is no time because I will be starting school in about a month.

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

Kids chewable multivitamin. Vitamin b12 shots q month and just recently added a hair, nails and skin vitamin.

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?

Constipation has been a horrific side efeect for me because I have been unable to get all of my water in. I usually have only one or 2 bowel movements a week which is a significant decrease of going once a day prior to surgery. Also when I do have bowel movements, I have alot of cramping prior to actually having a BM. MOM helps when I am constipated and in severe cases I use dulcolax suppositories. I don't want to become dependent on laxatives so I do definitely limit their use. An increase in exercise walking always helps and water, water ,water. Hair loss has been very hard for me. I've always had alot of hair, but it is kinda scary when every time you comb your hair or take a shower you lose literally handfuls of hair. I just started taking a hair vitamin from walmart and cut my hair shorter because of the breakage of my longer hair. I hope that the hair vitamin helps.

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

The pain immediately after surgery from stomach spasms was awful, but Toradol solved that problem.

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

My surgeon has after care meetings once a month, but due to the fact my husband works PM shift every wednesday, I am unable to go. I find much support at this site though and know several people who had surgery around the same time as me.

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

It is wider than I thought it would end up, but I think that is from the staples that I had instead of steri stips. It is about 6 inches long and a quarter of an inch wide. I'm just shocked that after five months I still have bouts of itching.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had a couple of plateaus, but nothing major. If I wasn't losing pounds, I was losing inches, so I was definitely not upset by that.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh definitely I do. People talk to me more at work and care more about what I think. Men look at me more and definitely pay me more attention. I think that my attitude has changed though also so maybe that is why. I feel alot more confident.