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

I work at a retailer in my town ,and one of my customers told me about it. His wife had had the surgery. He brought the card in for the Doctor a few days later. I made an appointment a month later. Then it was another year before I finally made the decision to go through with it.

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

I didn't have any problem getting approval from my insurance. I went through the physocological exam, and my general physican wrote a letter.

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

I had a friend go with me and he took the time to answer both of our questions. He took his time and didn't make me feel like he was in a hurry to get to his next patient. I think by having someone with me they thought of questions and concerns that I wouldn't have thought of on my own. And they give you someone to talk to who knows what is going on.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of coming home from work and going to bed because I was tired, and ached all over. I didn't feel like doing anything or going anywhere.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was the only one I knew about and the person who had given me the information about the surgery to begin with had had great results.

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?

It was the first time I ever had surgery that I felt like I wouldn't come back. I think it was an underlying knowledge or fear that I personally would not be the same person who went into the operating room. That the surgery would change me. It did.

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 sons had a very hard time when it came to meals. It bothered them to see me eating so little. Almost a year later they are more use to it. My middle son makes jokes like when I got the flu he asked what did I use for a barf bucket now a thimble. My husband at times especially after a throwing up eposoide would say that he never should have let me go through with it. I just tell him it was never his choice.

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

My work place was and is very supporative. I was off for 9 weeks. and when I did return to work they understood that my strength was still not 100%.

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

I had an allergic reaction to the heprin shots. I called the Doctors office. Also had some drainage out of the bottom of the incision. This is normal I found out after my husband called the office.

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 tired. Especially after I went back to work. I called the dr. office because of adominal pain and they suggested I wear the binder for a while. This helped. I did get depressed and upset when I tried to eat something and it came right back up.

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

Tiredness. Carefull not to over do. It is a big adjustment for your family to see the small amounts of food that you eat. It upset my son and he is in his twenties. You also find a lot of stuff that you can't eat that you use to before. My hardest time was from other peoples reaction. The weight comes off fast at first.

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

The hospital was over a 170 miles from my house. The Dr. office itself is about 40 miles.

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.

Of course the first few weeks are strictly liquid then soft foods. I tried some sweet cherries about 2 months after and couldn't tolerate the skin on them. I haven't tried them again yet, but it won't be long before they are back in season. I still have a hard time with chicken of anytype. Beef and pork makes a difference on how it is cooked. I have trouble with anything that is dry. So meat with a sauce or gravey goes down better. Chili is fine and sometimes a hambuger, no bun of course. Pop is a no no. But I can tolerate diet root beer with no sugar ice cream. Makes a nice treat on occasion. Just when I think I have it all under control, I find myself bent over the toilet. I have probably vomited more in the last 2 months then I did in the first 8.

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

Unfortunately I live to far away from where the support group meets. I did meet another lady while I was in the hospital who had already had the RNY. She was in having her legs done. I called her quit often.

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

long wide and very noticeable. Not really what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several in the last 3 months. But, I have found that while I'm not loosing I am still chaniging sizes. Also they come with food being reintroduced and slightly larger amounts being eaten.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I do. Some people that barely spoke to me before at work are becoming more friendly.