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

I've heard of it for quite a while but two years ago I had a girlfriend finally do it. That gave me the courage to finally do it also. I did tons of reading both from books and on the internet. I was initally horrified of it until I obtained some real knowledge.

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

Mine was very easy. Anthem has a bariatric clause and I was approved after just one week. I have secondary insurance, Sagamore, and they will not pay anything. They say you have to be on some sort of "mecially supervised diet" for something like 6 months before they would ever consider. I may still appeal this. I think it all depends on who your insurance company is and what plan you have.

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

Very good. We all asked questions, which is the key. Don't be afraid to ask anythng, even what his mortality rate is. Ask, Ask, Ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of my knees hurting all the time and having very little energy to do anything. I also wanted to get rid of my diabetes, blood pressure and arthritis pills. I would like to pay normal price for clothing, not $6 for a pair of underpants!!!! I'd like to be able to shop at a regular store for clothes, not just Catherines or Lane Bryant.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Actually, the insurance company decided. I believe it might have been based on my BMI.

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?

Read everything you can. Everyone is different. I actually had no complications or pain (was on the Q-Ball in the hospital - I recommend it highly). Some people are just going to naturally react differently. After all, this is major surgery. Try not to get too stressed out before the surgery. Have confidence in your surgeon and his team. After all, you are the one that picked him/her.

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?

I have a wonderful support group, from my immediate family to my co-workers. Everyone is behind me 100% because they know what a struggle it has been for me in the past being on Weight Watchers, Richard Simmons, etc. You definitely need some sort of a support group.

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

My work naturally had to give me FMLA. My immediate supervisor is also a "big girl" so she was thrilled and excited and also scared for me. I told everyone at work though. I didn't care who knew. I'm going to be out of work for 4 weeks.

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

I stayed 2 1/2 days in the hospital. All the nurses were super nice. Of course, I didn't get much rest, but I know it's not their fault. Realize they have to come in about every hour or so to take all your vitals. After all, it's for your own good. I actually didn't use most of what I brought to the hospital. I think I only used personal grooming aids and that's all. I really didn't feel like reading, because I would fall asleep. So, it's really not necessary to bring very much.

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

I had absolutely 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 excited. I had been looking into this for a year and couldn't believe I actually had a date. I really didn't feel any anxiety, just excitement. The only thing I said in any kind of negative way was to my sister. I said, "I can't believe I'm actually going to do this".

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

I'm two weeks out currently (surgery date was 4-19-07) and I feel great. My energy level goes up everyday. The doctors aren't kidding...walking does help. It took about 4-5 days for me to be able to sleep back in the bed instead of the recliner and another few days to be able to sleep on my stomach. I'm just now able to sleep on the left side. Driving is no problem, nor is getting in and out of the car. Be careful when you start to have the solid food. I like canned chicken, which doesn't have to be pureed. I recently had some chicken salad (mixed the chicken with some low fat mayo) and I must not have gotten it moist enough. It went down just fine, but I had terrible cramps that night. I felt like I was having contractions. I told my husband that I was sure I was going to pop out that third child any minute.

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

I drive 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.

Only being 2 weeks out, I've been on liquid and pureed foods so far. I'm sure, in the coming weeks and months, I'll find something that doesn't agree with me. Of coursse, we all know, sweets are off limits. Stick to sugar free Jello and sugar free popscicles.

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

On a level of 1-10, I was about a 4. My level goes up a notch each day. I don't feel tired. I'm sleeping good at night. My knees still hurt from arthritis, but I can at least do some mall walking. I'm going back to water aerobics next week too.

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

Bariatirc Advantage multi vitamin with Vitamin B-Complex (orange chewable), Bariatric Advantage iron tablet (passion fruit chewable), Creamy Bites Calcium Citrate (you think you're eating chocolate candy with this one). one B-12 sub-lingual weekly. I also drink Designer Whey protein mixed with milk or Carnation Instant Breakfast to make sure I get adequate protein.

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?

Being only two weeks out (surgery 4-19-07), I have not experienced anthing negative yet (knock on wood).

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

The first 12 hours after surgery. Laying on a hospital bed for that long makes your body hurt. And, of course, the ever present nurses taking blood pressure, sugar levels, oxygen levels, etc. It's hard to rest that first day.

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

There are mandatory support group meetings we have to attend, which is great. We have group meetings with the physiatrist and also the nutritionists. These are great because you get to see if the other people are going thru the same things you are (if you are having any problems). Other people might also have helpful hints.

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

Itty bitty scars. I call them holes since I was RNY lap. I was expecting something much, much bigger. Probably six months from now, I won't even be able to see them when I put my bikini on (hahahaha).

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Not to the point yet where I could have a plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, not yet, but it's still very early for me. I'll be anxious to go back to work to see how people react.