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

Heard it from a friend (1998) went to a surgeon but blew it off I wasnt ready yet

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

My insurance company was great- I was approved after the first request. Have any and all documentation from your PCP relating to your weight ready to be submitted

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

I was nervous because of the two other surgeons I had consulted with- to them I was money in their bank accounts- they didnt make eye contact and god forbid- they show a human emotion. When I met Dr Bono and Jane his nurse, I was blown away! They were regular people like me! (jane had the surgery) I had all my questions written down and they took the time to answer all of them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Besides the fact that I loved Dr Bono and Jane, I finally felt ready! I was ready for a lifestyle change.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr Bobo and I discussed the options and the RNY was the best for me- I alos did a lot of research

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?

Like anyone, yes I was scared. Dr Bono takes every precaution with you pre operatively. He has you cleared by Cardiology-Pulmonology-GI and sleep studies, as well as blood tests and ultrasounds for blood clots- If you are over a certain BMI he also requires you to have a filter put in, this is to prevent an embolism (clot to hear lungs brain) I felt peaceful with my decision when it was time for surgery. A support system is the best thing, my family was behind me 100%

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 family and friends were behind me 100% they were satisfied that I did my homework and that iI was really ready for this

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

Im a school bus driver so I had the surgery over summer vacation, but my bosses and co workers support me also with e-mails and well wishes.

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

My stay was good. I was in for 4 days Surgery was Monday and I went home on Thursday. My surgeons protocol requires 1 1/2 days in ICU untill you pass your swallow test then I was moved to a room on the med-surg floor. The one MUST was chap stick!

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

no thank god no complications- I was done laporscopically. My surgeons protocal to fend off infection is to leave one of the wounds open with twice daily packing changes, my husband has been doing this for me and it is not painful- just annoying I also had a drain in place for about a week and a half, again, this is my surgeons protocol.

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

Im now almost 2 weeks and I feel that I am at 80 percent. The pain was significant for the first 4 days but then it got better and better. I had anxiety about everything at first, pain,moving,pulling,stretching, but you will be amazed at what your body can do

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

DO NOT expect to be superwoman or man! I had a hard time getting up for a while- rely on your support people as much as you can and if you need pain meds, take them!!!! 10 days out and the worst thing for me now is taking the tape off "booboo" area! The one thing, if you are taking pain meds- you will get backed up! Take stool softeners!!!

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

my doctor and hospital are about 35 miles away, this hasnt affected anyhting

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.

well, its too early for a full account but for the first 10 days I have been on clear liquids only. which was broken down into 3 "meals" and a snack in between if needed. My usual was 4 oz sugar free carnation instant breakfast with skim milk- 4 oz diluted apple or grape juice and 40z sugar free jello. I was never able to completely have the full 12 ozs, I was full after about 6 ozs- SIP SLOWLY and SMALL SIPS!!!! after my first post op visit I was release to stage 2 which is basically mushy foods in 2 oz portions Breakfast-midmorning-lunch-afternoon-dinner-night. This is all broken down into serving from 6 food groups- Im sure all doctors plans are different but my nutritionist is on call to answer any questions and give advice anytime- she also has sample meal plans and lists of what is allowable and in what portions. PROTEIN is the key

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

well, 11 days out and Im raring to go- I do the steps in my house and go for short walks with my daughter- DONT overdue it- be reasonable.

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

b-12 injection once a month and two flintstones complete chewable vitamins a day

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 havent experienced any nausea from the surgery itself but I did from the pain the first two times I attempted to walk after surgery. No hair loss yet. If i swallow too big of a gulp of liquid it hurts for a few seconds. No dumping. The main complaint is getting comfortable for sleep. I cant yet lay on my stomach which is what I usually do!

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

honsetly??? standing up for the first time and not being able to wipe myself fully the first few days (yuck)

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

I am lucky to have a few people who live by me who have had the surgery done by the same doctor- we all talk and compare notes and I have a co -worker who had it done on the same day with me so we talk and compare notes evert couple of days. The surgeon has a support group and he is available for questions all the time as well as the nutritionist. It is VERY important to have a strong support system at home

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

I have 6 trocar cuts (laporscopically) too soon to tell if there will be scars yet

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

too early

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

lol people are afraid to eat in front of me!!!!