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

I heard about it on the news and when celebrities started to have it done. I was interested, but afraid.

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

I initially tried to get approved a year before I got approval. I was denied, and felt that the denial was God's way of telling me to try something else. I started dieting again, but didn't really lose. I was diagnosed with asthma, as well as chronic knee pain during that year, and decided to try again, so my primary care physician wrote a very supportive letter for me to include in the application. I was approved on the first try this time, and had surgery within 2 months. My advice would be "don't give up, and make sure you have the support of your primary care physician."

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

My experience was good. The surgeon and staff went through lots of information about how the surgery would work, and there was lots of repetition so the info would sink in. Do research before the meeting and come prepared with questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I didn't feel like I had other options because of co-morbidities. I wasn't able to really work out because of knee and back problems, so I didn't think I could lose weight as well as I should.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Talking with my physician and nurses, as well as people I'd known who had had the surgery. It was an easy decision 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?

I was afraid, but I was also afraid to live like I was. I have a strong faith in God and I prayed a lot about having surgery. On the way to the hospital for surgery, I was afraid, and I remembered a verse: "Be not afraid, I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest." I knew that God was comforting my fears then, and I felt better about what I was doing.

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?

They were afraid for me, but supportive. I had a positive experience with family and friends. The only negatives were their fears for me, but they were afraid for me because they love me.

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

Very positively - wished me well and said he hoped I'd get all I wanted out of the process. I was out for 2 weeks, but probably should have taken 3 weeks - I was very tired when I went back

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 positive. I felt very cared for, and the staff was very kind. I was in the hospital for 2 nights after surgery. Bring your own robe and slippers - more comfortable than hospital ones.

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

I was very fortunate. I had no surgical 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 felt very up and down after the surgery. There was some depression just in getting over the physical aspects of surgery - being tired, being so focused on myself, and the small amount of pain I had. I prayed a lot, and had many people praying for me. I followed the "rules" set up by my WLS group, and doing so served me well.

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

I was tired a lot of the time, but was out walking the day I got home from the hospital. That helped a lot in my recovery. I made myself take short walks a few times a day and would "reward" myself with a short nap afterwards. There was some nausea and dumping, but not a lot because I was adhering to the guidelines for eating at each phase of recovery. If you follow the guidelines, things will go easier. Definitely drink the water you're supposed to, because it helps in many areas of your recovery.

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

Surgery was within my metro area, so I didn't travel far.

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.

I don't tolerate carbs, fat or sugar very well. I can eat many things that are healthy, but not a "sandwich" or regular pizza, or a hamburger - they all have too many carbs, fat, and sugar. I eat lean protein - poultry, eggs, lowfat cheese; yogurt, and things like that. Some fruit is good - especially bananas. As I've moved farther out from surgery, I can tolerate more carbs, but I still try to watch sugar. I eat no candy (haven't tried and hope I don't), baked goods like cake & dessert. I hope I always stay away from these things.

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

I tried to walk a few times a day starting 3 days after surgery. I was tired a lot, still, until about week 5 or 6. I started working out at week 4, and it feels great. I would suggest that everyone who is able work out as soon as their physician gives the ok after surgery.

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

Multivitamin with Iron daily, B12 dot daily, 3-4 calcium chews daily.

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?

Occasioinal dumping when I eat too many carbs - happens once or twice a week still. I just get light headed and my heart pounds for 20 minutes or so. That is the worst side effect. I just try to watch carbs and how quickly I eat so it doesn't happen.

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

Weeks 1 - 4 while your body is trying to sort itself out and there are gastric and bowel movement issues. Mine wasn't too bad, but it was kind of difficult because I never knew how I was going to feel.

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

I am on ObesityHelp.com many times a day to see what others are going through. This is so helpful to me. I post sometimes and respond to posts. I have found it invaluable.

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

I had a LAP RNY and gallbladder removal, so I have several small scars. They are about what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't had any yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, some people pay more attention to me and seem to value my opinion more at work. I probably exude more self-confidence, which may affect this as well. I get a lot of positive reinforcement from people who know I've had the surgery, which is very helpful.