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

I had to switch insurances to get approval for the surgery to be done in the city that I live in. Once I did this I then had to to the psych consult, dietitian consult. Once I was able to start doing the requirements, it did not take very long to be approved at all.

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

My surgeon's office has a weight loss seminar that is required before you even get to go to the office. It was very informational and helpful. They showed the R-N-Y surgery and also had people with before pictures and their stories. They also send out an informational book to you to read as well

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Walking around with a cane because my knee hurt so bad. Also, I was on blood pressure medications.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance only covered the R-N-Y procedure at the time

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 and friends were very supportive with my decision. They had all seen me struggle with my weight and saw how much pain I was having with my knees

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

They were very supportive as well

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

My stay at the hospital was relatively good, for a hospital. The staff were very knowledgeable and helpful. I was in the hospital for 2 days. The most important things to bring are a loose fitting bathrobe and slippers as you are up walking the halls the first evening and you may as well be comfortable. I also brought a blanket as the hospital tends to be cold when you are recooperating.

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

No complictions

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 had one week to be nervous but I was nervous about the surgery in general, general anesthetic. I was not really worried about the surgery itself

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

The first week was the worst. Only clear liquids for that first week, and sugarfree. I would recommend that if you live alone, have someone stay with you or stay at a family or friend's home. Gives you peace of mind to have someone there to help

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

It is in the city that I live

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.

At first I ate a lot of eggs and tuna or chicken salad. I ate my meals with a small shrimp fork and a cappacino spoon so that I wouldn't take such big bites and make myself sick. I chose these instead of a baby spoon and fork as it looked a little better when I took them out at restaurants. I kept them in a toothbrush holder in my purse which was the perfect size. I still have trouble eating chicken and pineapple and bread fills me up really quick. I haven't tried sweets as I don't want to know if I have dumping syndrome wit them.

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

I walked every day, going further each day. I had to have surgery on my knee 10weeks after my gastric bypass surgery, so once I was in less pain in my knee, I was able to increase my activity levels.

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

I had started out with Bariatric Advantage, too expensive. Then Optisource which was okay but I would forget one of the tablets which you have to take 4 times a day. I switched to Centrum chewables twice a day and chewable calcium

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 side effect that was troublesome was the vomitting when I ate too much. I learned that when my stomach said that I was full, I did not add another bite. Now I rarely vomit.

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

I have been lucky to have a good experience with the entire process.

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

I have a support group that meets once a month but I have not been there. The aftercare is great with my surgeon's office. The dietician was great in the 2 weeks after surgery to help you get started on your protien intakes and what you should or shouldn't eat. The office is very helpful with any questions as well

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

I have 6 small scars, 3 that are barely visible and 3 that are less that an inch long.