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

Three people I knew had it down, at first I was scared for them, but once I researched the info I knew it was for me

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

I am a PIA when I want something and insurance is my game(I am a HR Director) so when I started having problems, I went to the big cheese, the Attorney General and soon to be govenor of NY Elliott Sitzer. faxed over all my info to his office and cc it to BCBS within 2 hours I was approved.

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

I first went to a different physician then who performed the Surgey, he was very hard to understand and only did Open RNY. Then once approved wanted 6 grand down, this made me leery and I switched to what I think is one of the best doctors in CNY to perform lap RNY. My first visit with him was great, he answered all my questions and I did not feel rushed. His staff is wonderful and I knew I was in good hands.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I hated looking at myself and I didn't want to leave the house for anything other then work.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I listed to the people I knew who had the surgery performed and I saw first hand their results and lifestyles. I knew I could live with it.

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 had no fear, thats just me

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 was scared, he is fine now. The first few months he thought I was going to get sick because in his eyes I was not eating enough to stay healthy. He sees now that I am healthier then I probably have ever been even when I was thin, because of the exercise and vitamins I take and do that I have never done before.

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

They were great, my superviors daughter had the surgery six months before me, she knew first hand what overweight people feel about themselves and was one of my biggest supporters. As is all of my co-workers

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

Auburn Memorial staff was wonderful, had two great nurses aides that were doing I guess some kind of an internship there who helped me wash my hair as I wasn't cleared to take a shower. I was only their two full days the day of the surgery and the next day, I can't complain about a thing. Although I have heard from recent patients who have had the same surgery that their level of care has decreased as they are trying to dig themselves out of a financial mess. To bad, they have the potential to be a great hospital but people are once again shying away.

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

I shouldn't have been given heprin due to a inherited form of anemia, so I had some blood loss, nothing that a couple pints of blood didn't cure

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

Impatient, I just cleaned my home like a mad women, husband was away on a business trip so that had me a little nerved up, just tried to pass the time in any way possible other then eating.

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

I was fine, tired, went back to work in five days from date of surgery part-time, fulltime in two. Hated the pureed foods they are all so sweet it was disgusting, but you get through it.

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

16 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.

NO SUGAR! Chicken was bad for me, I ate the pureed foods for the first two weeks, then went on to scrambled eggs, within two months solids were fine, trial and error on what worked and what didn't, and you'll know right away what doesn't

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

I was very tired, partly due to blood loss, the lingering effects of the ansthesia, and what your body has been through. Plus with my anemia I had an added curve ball. Things were pretty much back to normal once my anemia was under contraol so two months.

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

A multi vitamen, calcium, B complex, biotin and zinc (hair loss) I also take lycine for cold sores and perscription folic acid.

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?

Dumping is never good, still happens on occasion, but what bothers me the most is the hair loss started at four months and now at six it is still going on. Thankfully I have(had) a lot of hair, but it's scary in the shower in the mornings, just wish it would stop.

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

I can't think of anything. Best decesion I have ever made

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

I do not go to support group because the one in our area is horrible, I suffered through it in the beginning and only for insurance reasons, I have spoken with my physician about it as have his other patients, I get the feeling it is out of his hands. It is ran by a mother and daugher, the daughter is constantly throwing in comments like, soda is OK to drink, I eat potato chips, things like that. Not a very good example. Wish their was a good support group to go to, but for now I just use the boards when I have questions and gather information from the people here.

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

I have four maybe five small scars, teo look more like birthmarks then scars. They are better then what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Just came off of a month plateau. Once it was over I lose 4.5 pounds in a week, body changes shape so you must lose inches when not losing weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not the people I work with or my family or friends, bu I do notice when I have meetings with the public (which is a big part of my job) it seems people seem to listen to me more and tend to agree with me quicker. Funny huh, it's like their thoughts are FAT=STUPID. Where to people get these preconcieved ideas. This could just be me, maybe the weight lose has made me more articulate, ha ha