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

I learned about bariatric surgery years ago - don't remember how. At first I was dead set against it and afraid of doing it. As years passed, and failed attempts to lose permanent weight, I decided to investigate it further. Now I am glad I did have my Gastric Bypass Surgery.

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

I was very lucky as my insurance approved it very quickly. I had no problem with that at all. If your insurance will not approve it - seek out other insurance that will approve it. It is worth it.

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

A very positive experience and I am very lucky to have such a sensitive and wonderful, experienced Bariatric Surgeon. Seek out a top-notch Bariatric Surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was a last ditch effort to lose weight and see results quickly. I knew with the bypass I would have a smaller stomach (pouch) and that is automatically behavior modification! And to date, it was the best decision I ever made to lose weight permanently.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I attended Bariatric Surgery Seminars and I decided upon the Gastric Bypass (RNY) because I liked the advantage of malapsorbtion. However, one must remember one has to take vitamins, calcium, and B-12 for life; however, that is not a problem for me.

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 really was fearful of the surgery. I was worried about possible leakage, the temporary gastric tube. But very quickly after the surgery I was able to swallow medication easily. The temporary gastric tube was just a precaution and was removed a week out of the hospital. I would advise people contemplating bariatric surgery to not worry and do it!

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?

Everyone that was informed was very positive and supportive. To date I have not received any negative reaction to having the surgery.

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

I am retired so that was never an issue.

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

My stay in the hospital was very positive. I had a very nice room and great care from the nurses. I was there 6 nites as I did need a blood transfusion. But that is not a big deal to go through. I watched TV most of the time, however one may want to bring a book to read. It's a good idea to bring a loose nitegown and robe to wear when you are discharged.

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

I did not have any complications from the surgery except I did need a blood transfusion. I have an excellent surgeon and I did not have a problem with leakage.

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 so excited! I was nervous in anticipation of surgery, however, I realized so many people have gone through this and I knew I could too. I looked forward to the weightloss and feeling physically good again.

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

I was weak physically as my body was recovering from the surgery and I was not consuming food. It was not the easiest time, however, as one recouperates and sees the weight falling off, one realizes how much it was worth it!

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

I only had to travel about 25 miles to the hospital. The distance for after care, appointments with my surgeon, was not a problem. I always carry bottled water with me everywhere I go. When being discharged from the hospital after surgery, I was prepared and had a bottle of water to sip on all the way home.

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.

After surgery it takes awhile for the stomach to heal. One is on liquid post op diets and gradually introduces food again. Dietary intolerances can improve or change very quickly! Three months post op I am able to eat just about everything. I still have a problem with brocolli. I don't want or eat foods like cake, cookies, or candy. I mainly want protein foods like chicken, beef, fish, cheese, nuts or natural peanut butter. But one should be reassured that after about 2 months post op, one will be able to eat just about anything. I have no cravings and I am losing weight easily.

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

Not as great as it should have been as I caught the flu. But after getting over that I began exercising on an exercise bike and walking whenever I could. I have stairs in my home so I had to climb stairs everyday which of course was great for me. If you are lucky enough to have your surgery done Laperiscopically, then upon arriving home you can start walking, cycling, or exercising whichever way is pleasing to you.

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

I take Bariatric Vitamins, Calcium, and get a B-12 shot once a month. It is not a hassle at all and should not sway anyone from having the surgery.

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 some nausea and stomach pain in the hospital from taking crushed medications in water. I did have some vomiting from this. When I got home I had to learn the new sensation of fullness. So I have had to vomit some, but now that I am post op almost three months, I don't have any nauseau or vomiting to speak of. I also have had no hair loss. But I have lost 47 pounds in less than three months. The vomiting was not that bad as one's stomach/new pouch is small and it just is not as bad as one might expect.

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

For me the worst part was the temporary Gastric Tube. It's purpose was to inject medications directly into the pouch. In the hospital it came out twice and I had to have it reinserted which wasn't very pleasant. After I got home, a few days later, it started to come out again and I had to go to my local hospital emergency room to have it removed. It is inserted as a precaution to make sure the patient is able to ingest necessary medications. But don't let this sway anyone from having bariatric surgery.

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

I do belong to a support group called Novuus. It is a wonderful support program and is very helpful. I enjoy the support group meetings and seeing all the weightloss success stories! Great motivation for me. They conduct all kinds of activities and even have a clothes closet for swapping clothing as the weight falls off.

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

I had Laperiscopic Surgery so I have several small scars that will lighten with time. Not a problem for me. It is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit plateaus quite regularly. My weight will go up and then drop down, then I will experience a new weightloss. As long as my weight continues to gravitate downwards I do not worry about the plateaus. They are normal.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really, but my doctors continually are impressed with my weightloss and are very supportive. It is very motivating to me to see them react this way. I know I did the right thing having my Gastric Bypass.