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

I saw it on TV and thought it was an easy way out and I would NEVER get it! ha.

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

Very easy but thorough.

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

Very good. She was very nice and caring. Asked me a lot of questions and thorough.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Wanting to no be in pain and not take medicine.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon and I discussed it, it is a personal decision BUT input from a great surgeon is necessary to fit your lifestyle.

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 all the fears and prayed. I trusted that I would do the right thing to take care of myself and God did the rest.

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?

They were SHOCKED. Not a lot of support. My EX husband (left him 8 months later), was terrible to me. I finally, after 16 years had enough of it. I finally felt well and had strength and left his sorry ass. The surgery gave me the ability to move again and I moved on.

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

I worked a very little part time job. My two employers were very proud of me and kind.

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

I was there for a few days. It was great.

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

No I did not.

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 nervous at first, a little weak. Once the fact I could not have food, I cried- mourned literally- that food was not a way I could change the way I felt inside. I worked on that with my therapist. I found gratitude that I had the surgery and started educating and moving my body.

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

If you have children, you will need help. Have lots of jello, protein shakes on hand. Work with a therapist, there is a reason why I was overweight, it wasn't because the weight just came on by itself- I over- ate and I had to figure out why, how and what I was going to do to help myself deal with emotions, feelings and life.

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

5 miles to the military hospital on post.

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 FOLLOWED, repeat FOLLOWED THE SURGEONS instructions. Liquids, soft foods, protein shakes, then high protein foods. I did not have any intolerances that I know of. I made sure what went in had a reason for it and did not mess around with the surgery.

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

days- around the house, a couple weeks- I was walking around the block, a month- I was walking around the neighborhood, 2,3, and 4 months- I was jogging and doing yoga A LOT!

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

I followed instructions in the beginning after a couple years, I lagged on the mutli. Then at about 3 1/2 years I stopped all supplelements due to lab work being off. That was a MISTAKE. I AM NOW MAKING SURE TO TAKE B12 and IRON, calcium, and a prenatal (NOT PREGO) vitamin EVERY SINGLE DAY and will continue to do this the rest of my life.

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?

I had nausea was in the beginning but it was from the pain medicine. Once I stopped that, it went away. No sleep disturbance, no dumping syndrome- unless I had more than a TBS. of ice cream or sugary stuff (it is still like that and that is OKAY :) Hair loss freaked me out. I had a lot of hair and do have it, but around 5 months, it happened, it started to thin out and I was not happy. I upped my biotin and held tight to eating well, got it cut up to my shoulders : ) It came back thick, it is just temporary IF YOU EAT RIGHT!

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

The "NOT KNOWING" how it will go. Having to face my food issue was hard, it was needed though if I were to have a happy life. THe process of the surgery, having drains, stitches, boo-boo's was hard. Its part of the process and take it one day at a time and find gratitude in that day and all will be fine.

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

I see my bariatric surgeon once a year. THAT IS IMPORTANT, only THEY KNOW HOW TO READ BLOOD WORK for post op gastric bypass. that is wicked important! I live a life in recovery- living free of all things that I used to change the way I felt inside like FOOD, alcohol, smoking and etc. I live free of it all, one day at a time. Food we need to live, so I stay conscience of do I need it, how am I feeling, etc.

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

My scars are tiny, can't even see them anymore : ) It has been 4 years and life is great, better than I DREAMED.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None. If I do what I am supposed to do, even if weight kind of stays the same, hold steady and it will start back up.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Of course, Obese people are treated badly. I was at least, the looks, the comments, like I was invisible. Now it is different and that is something I had to deal with and work through because it still can make me angry- that people treat others based on how they look. I make sure to treat all with kindness.