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

I found out about bariatric surgery from my family doctor. I was curious about how it worked and if it really worked. My doctor let me watch a video about the surgery. After the video, I knew that it is what I wanted to try. I felt it was my last chance to get my body under control.

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

Although it was a long process, about 3 months, my insurance did pay for almost the entire surgery. I did not have to battle with them to get them to pay, they just said it was covered.

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

The first meeting really explained to me what the surgery was going to be like and what was done. You really need to write down any questions you have, because I was so nervous when I went, that if I have not written down my questions, I wouldn't have remembered what I wanted to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt the surgery was my only hope, so the decision seemed to be made 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?

With any surgery comes the fear of being but to sleep and dying. I was not afraid of the surgery as much as the fear of not waking up. I would do it again, though, in a heartbeat. For the majority, there are not any complications.

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 friends and family were very supportive of my decision to have the surgery and just as supportive after it was over. The only problem is, they weren't going through what I was going through. It was a very selfish time in my life, where I could only deal with my feelings. I don't feel bad about that either.

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

I checked into the hospital at 7:00am on a Monday morning. The room was very nice and the staff made me feel very comfortable. I was at the Addison Hospital (Bariatric Treatment Center, Michigan) They were very concerned about how you were feeling and helped as much as they could. I checked out on Thursday, so I was not there that long. It is important to bring clothes that are loose and comfortable to wear home.

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

No complications

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 very excited while a waited for the day of my surgery. I spent a lot of time wondering how fast the weight was going to come off and looking at clothes that I wanted to wear after I reached each goal I set for myself (every 25lbs I celebrated). This really helped with keeping a positive attitude.

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

During the first few weeks home, I was having a hard time adjusting to the new lifestyle I was going to have to live. I was told about the pain from the surgery, but I was not told about the possible depression I would feel afterwards. As a person who ate when I was depressed, it was a terrible time for me. I felt depressed, and for the first time in years, I was not able to eat away the depression. I spent a lot of time crying and felt very emotional. I turned away from many friends and family because they didn't understand what I was feeling. I am not sure even I understood. I think it is important that you find someone who has gone through the surgery that you can talk to while you adjust to your new life. The first 6 weeks were very difficult for me. The pain from the surgery was much better after the first 2 weeks, but the emotional pain lasted a lot longer.

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

I traveled almost 3 hours for the surgery. I am 4 1/2 hours from the follow-up center, so my family doctor has done my follow up appointments. I have not had any problems, so I have only went for my 2 week appointment at the hospital.

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.

During the first week, I was on a clear liquid diet. During the second week, I was on liquids...jello, pudding, liquid soups, skim milk During the third week, I added soups blended in a food processor, very liquid mashed potatoes 4th and 5th weeks I was on soft foods...noodles, crackers, toast, etc.. After the 6th week, I was back to eating normal foods in small amounts. I was limited to 2 grams of sugar at a time (not including natural sugars) I stayed away from red meats, as I was told I may not be able to handle them. I was also told not to drink carbonated drinks for the first 6 months, but I was able to drink them ok at about 4 months. In the months since my surgery, I have found that I can eat a limited amount of whatever I want, with the exception of sugars, which I still am careful to limit to 4 grams at a time. I eat red meat now with no trouble. Basically, I am eating what everyone else eats, just in smaller amounts.

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

I was slow to move at first, but with each week, I found myself able to do more and wanting to do more.

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

I took chewable sugar-free bugsbunny vitamins after surgery for 6 weeks. Honestly, I hated them and quit. Now, I am taking a daily vitamin pill faithfully ( I am trying to get pregnant and I need to take it for that reason!)

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 was lucky. I did not have very many bad side effects from the surgery. I did have nausia at times and lost hair for a couple of months, but it was fine after 4 months post op. If I over eat, I feel sick to my stomach, but if I am careful, I am fine.

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

The worst part of the surgery process was the depression I felt afterwards. I really needed someone to talk to and I felt like I didn't have anyone.

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

I do not attend support groups

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

The scar was hard to deal with at first. It is a small line now that stretches from between my breast to below my belly button. It was exactly what I was told, but a shock to see at first.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I did go through a 2 month plateau. I didn't lose any weight, but I did lose inches.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I can definately see a difference in the way people treat me. People talk to me more. I sometime think "These people wouldn't even bother with me if I was still 293lbs." Even though I am 135lbs on the outside, I still feel like I am 293lbs. at times. When you are heavy, people say "There is a thin person inside all that fat." Well, sometimes I feel there is still a overweight person around me. I still get very offended when people make "fat" jokes or put down people who are overweight. I think I will always feel like a obese girl in a smaller body. So, even when others treat me like a small person, I find it hard to take it at face value. I am always wondering what they would have thought about the "real" me.