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

My father in law had his stomach stapled, then a friend had RNY, and then 2 of her friends had the surgery, and one of her co-workers. Before I used to hear all of the bad stories about these procedures, and then I actually knew people who had the surgery and they were ok. So that was a big part of changing my way of thinking about the procedures

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 problems with insurance approval. The btc sent a letter to my insurance co., and a few weeks later I got a letter stating I was approved.

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

I had a very pleasant meeting with my doctor and the staff. I went to the appointment with a list of questions and most of them were answered before I had to ask. My mom went with me for support and she asked questions I hadn't even though of, but were very important.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Seeing how it had helped one of my friends lose so much weight and have so much more energy even after 6 months. It helped lessen my initial fears

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Doctor explained pros and cons of different procedures. The facility I went to thought I would be a good candidate for rny

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 would be lying if I said I wasn't fearful of not coming out of surgery ok. I was ready to leave the pre op table. But having known personally 2 people who have had the surgery and they are fine, I decided it was worth the risk now, rather than the slow death of obesity.

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 husband, mother, and the majority of family and friends were very supportive. My sister and step father were the only ones who spoke out against it. My sister and husband came to pick me up the day I got out of the hospital. Several months after surgery my sister and I hugged as I was leaving her house, and she hugged me again and exclaimed "your getting so little!"

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

The hospital was accomodating, medical staff friendly and helpful. I had surgery on Wednesday and went home on Saturday. I should have brought my own slippers because I hate those slipper sock things they give you (just my personal preference)

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

Not really a compliction. I called to have one of my prescriptions (famotidine)refilled, because I was out. Pharmacy said I couldn't have it because it was too soon (what! I'm out!) Called the hospital, the nurse said just take 2 pepcid ac, chew well, it has the same ingredient. I never went back to the liquid famotidine (which was gross) oh well, the pharmacies loss.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Tired and cold (even in summer)first 2 weeks, energy returning slowly. I went back to work, with restrictions, at 2 1/2 weeks. Seem to be doing fine. Duh, I didn't read the question properly. The correct answer is I really didn't believe it so I didn't get anxious about it. Only the week before surgery I was like "Is this really going to happen? Wow!"

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

Needed help getting around, in and out of bed, chair, help needed in bathroom (loving husband wiped me). Just go slow.

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

Facility 1 hour away from home (60 miles). Not too bad. Not much effect on after care.

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.

week one: sugar free and no sugar added clear liquids, jello, popsicles week two and three: add sugar free and no sugar added full liquids, puddings, yogurt week four and five: add sugar free and no sugar added pureed foods, applesauce, mashed potatoes, anything that I could put in a blender or food processor. Week six: add soft foods, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese After that begin adding regular foods, chew well. Limit sugar to 2 grams, keep protein goal of 70 g per day, no more than 12 g fat in 1 meal. Can't have sugar, corn syrup, honey. I have an iron stomach, didn't have problems before and haven't had problems since. occasionaly have 1 bite of my husbands decadent deserts. Update: Ok, I had one too many bites of my husbands carrot cake with cream cheese frosting that I made. OOPS! I had to make myself throw up, then I felt better, but spent, and went to bed. Did it again (apple cobbler)8 months later. Had to force myself to throw up again, then felt better.

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

slow moving 1st 2 weeks, back to work at 2 1/2 weeks, started excercise program 2 months out. Energy better that I've ever remember it

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

2 a day chewable childrens vitamin, and 2 daily generic viactive chew for calcium

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?

starting at about month 2 I started losing hair, and haven't stopped. thankfully I had thick hair to start with. Only had upset stomach and discomfort when I ate too much of something during pureed foods stage. I just let it pass (about 2 hours)

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

When Mr. George from btc billing called wanting money. He is cold and uncaring and unaccomodating. Next, For my three month follow up visit with the surgeon and nutritionist at btc, I had blood work done at my local hospital and they were to fax up the results to the nutritionist. Local hospital didn't get the results there for my appointment, so I called local hospital to have them fax the results. then I followed up with the nutritionist at btc. She said, "oh, everything is fine. If something was wrong I would have called you." Didn't tell me what the levels were or what they ment or where they should be or anything. I was not pleased with that after It cost $785.00 (no ins)to get the damn bloodwork done. I haven't gone back to btc since.

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

I haven't been to any aftercare support group. The meetings are held at locations or times that do not fit into my schedual.

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

The scar is vertically from breast bone to belly button. I hardly notice it now that it is a year out. It had faded nicely. I expected it to be much worse.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been on several small plateaus. they might last a week or two, but then I evaluate and readjust my diet and/or excersize routine, and I begin to lose again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People that I have never met before do not look down on me the first time they meet me. People that don't recognize me that knew me when I was heavy I get the biggest kick out of. I don't tell them who it is unless they ask, or suspect. Some people that never used to talk to the fat me will say hello now. That kind of irks me. And yet others are very sincere when they tell me how good I look or other compliments.