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

I think I read about it in a magazine, but I don't remember which one. Then my mother had met someone who was a member of this site, and she told my mom about it...so my mom told me. At first I wanted nothing to do with it, I thought it looked like it was too drastic of a step to make...and I thought "No way would I do that, I can lose weight on my own". But as time went by, I realized more and more that I was unable to do it on my own, and that I needed major help.

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

I think my insurance would have approved it sooner, had they gotten all the information they needed on time and up front. There were some "complications" with Dr. Chae's office at the time, and it took a lot longer than needed.

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

I had done a lot of research prior to meeting Dr. Chae, so I already knew a lot. The only thing I didn't ask, because I didn't think to ask it, was how much common channel I would have left and how far bypassed would I be.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After trying repeatedly for years to lose weight, I kept gaining and gaining. When I hit the 300 lb mark, I decided that I had to do something before I hit 350 or even 400.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew the Lap Band wasn't for me, and Dr. Chae really only does RNY...do that's what I decided to do.

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?

My thoughts were that if I was afraid of going under the knife for this, how much longer would I live if I stayed fat? Probably not long, and my quality of life would have gone way downhill. There are complications with any sugery. I had inner ear sugery and that carries the risk of going completely deaf (which I already mostly was) or having horrible balance issues among other things...I chose to do it, and how I have almost 100% hearing in my right ear! The first few weeks after surgery are the hardest, but in my opinion, it is totally worth it! I told everyone I loved that I loved them before I went in, and I told my kids that if anything happened to me, to know that I will always love them and I would always watch over them somehow. I just accepted that surgery was something I had to do to live, and I did 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?

All of my family and friends were very supportive! The only person that was a little skeptical was my sister. She was in college majoring in biology at the time, and was concerned about my health. Everyone has been very supportive since surgery, and some are even jealous.

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 actually really good! The nurses and staff were great and well educated by Dr. Chae. After they took me off the morphine pump, I asked for a dose of Vidodin...right after I took it, I wanted to throw up. I was there for 2 1/2 days. The most important things to bring to the hospital are: slippers (you will be getting up and walking a lot), a robe, DVD's if you have a DVD player or tapes, pen and paper if you feel like writting, and books or magazines if you feel like reading. If you like music, take a portable cd player or MPS player with your fav music as well.

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

I didn't have any 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?

As my date got closer and closer, I got more and more nervous. I kept telling everyone I loved them and to remember that I'm doing this for my health. I tried not to think about it too much, and tried to really focus on what I would do after surgery. I researched vitamins, minerals, and protein supplements, read a lot of books, and kept myself busy with the kids.

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

My first few weeks home were good. I had a lot of help from my hubby who took a week off to help me. I had a hard time sleeping, but other than that, I felt pretty good although a little sore. I didn't take anything for pain after I left the hospital, but I probably would have been a little more comfortable sleeping if I had. I was afraid to take vicodin since it made me sick in the hospital. But I wasn't in enough pain to take it, so why bother?! Expect a lot of regretful thoughts! Everyone goes through this, whether they admit it or not. Expect to take things very slowly, you will have a new baby tummy and know that you can't force or rush things. Get in as much water as you can, you will NOT stretch your pouch with water, and ice cold water might hurt so maybe try it with no ice.

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

Not far, maybe 5 miles, definitely less than 10 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.

1% milk made me sick, so I had to drink regular soy milk which didn't taste all that good. I ate a lot of strained soups, cottage cheese, and yogurt. Foods high in fat and sugar have always been off limits, as they make me sick. Bread also sticks in my pouch, so I don't touch it much. I also don't eat pasta, but I do eat a little brown rice now and then. I wasn't very adventurous in the beginning, because I didn't want to get sick. lol I remember the only time I've tossed since sugery was after I ate about 4 bites of salmon that was rolled up with lobster. I love salmon, but it took a few months to gather the courage to try it again.

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

The first week it was pretty low, but I would go for short walks as often as I could. I had a protein deficiency from about 2 weeks out to about 6 weeks out...and I could barely get up the stairs, my muscles would shake and burn so bad it hurt. I could barely lift my arms, and couldn't hardly hug my kids. I knew it wasn't dehydration because I was drinking at least 70 oz of water daily from the time I came home. Once I started getting protein shakes in, my energy level came way up and within 2 weeks I had more energy than before surgery.

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

I am anal about my vitamins, minerals, and protein shakes. I drink a minimum of 2-3, sometimes 4-5, shakes a day. I also put a tablespoon of wheat germ and a tablespoon of FRESH GROUND flax seeds in my shakes. I mix up my protein powders and have a variety so I don't get too bored. In my banana scream shakes I will throw in some frozen chunks of banana for extra potassium, etc. If you do protein shakes, make sure you get the right protein and not soy or milk protein, you want WHEY. Ask if you need help! Or go to www.vitalady.com, they have great products and good prices, and will try to answer any questions they can (both owners had WLS)! I take 2-3 children's chewable multis, 2000-2400 mg of calcium CITRATE, 2000mcg of B12, 2000-2500 mg vitamin C, 1-2 "stress" b complex, 75 mg Tender Iron, 400 iu vitamin E. I also take some Fiber Choice sugar free chewable fiber tablets, usually 5 days a week, 1-2 a day. I was taking a chewable form of Biotin for a few months, but notice it making much of a difference with hair loss or growth, so I stopped. Since I'm just now almost a year out, I will be getting a new set of labs in a couple of weeks and will determine if I need to make any changes at that time. My nutritionist told me to back off the B12, but my PCP told me not to touch it and to continue taking as much as I do.

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 dump with an intake of over about 6 grams of fat or sugar. I always feel hot and sticky, and I feel like utter junk for about 45 mins. Sometimes I'll eat something and not know it will make me sick, I always try to "flush it out" with water when I do (nutritionist told me to do that). I'm usually pretty good and I know what I can and can't eat, but sometimes I get a little cocky and eat an extra bite, which I pay for. lol I don't care for sweet things much any more, and 3 bites is about all I can handle anyway. lol I didn't have any hair loss until I was about 5 months out, then it started falling out like crazy. Luckily I have a lot of hair, so I still have quite a bit of hair left. I lost it for about 4 months. When I don't get enough protein in, my hair will start to fall out again (found this out a few months ago when I got lazy and was in the middle of moving), as soon as I started drinking more shakes...it stopped. I now have hairs sticking up all over that are about 1-2" long. I had long hair, and decided 2 weeks ago to cut it off! It's now at shoulder length and I LOVE it!! Anyway, hair loss for me wasn't really a big deal since I started with a lot of hair...I was just concerned that it wouldn't stop when it lasted for 4 months.

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

I don't think I can pick just one. Pre-surgery waiting to go in...always a nightmare for me! I HATE needles, and when the nurse came in there not prepared to numb the skin to put in the IV, I threw a fit!! I told her no way was she getting it in if she didn't numb it. So she tried, and failed. Don't listen to me...She numbed it after that, and had to put it in my right hand (that really made going to the bathroom painful and not at all fun). My blood pressure was sky high right before she put it in (I think it was like 150/110), and then after she numbed the skin and slid the IV in nicely, it went back down to 120/80. Not being able to drink water in the hospital sucked! And watching my husband and boys eat real food, when all I could "eat" was strained soup. That was really hard. The head battles suck!

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

I belong to several Yahoo groups, a couple of them being mostly local residents. We have monthly and seasonl meetings. We are all pretty good friends, and we always support each other.

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

Since I had Lap, my scars are small, and pretty faded now. They are what I expected, and a little better than I expected even!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a short plateau when I was about 6 months out. I was trying to get 100 lbs off before my grandparents came to town, and I stressed too much about it. I upped my protein intake, and dropped my caloric in take for a few days, and started losing again. Since I was about 4 months out, I've managed to lose about 10 lbs a month.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice people smile at me more, but I don't really see them treating me any differently. Everyone who knew me before and sees me now, stare at me and can't believe how good and different I look.