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

I have known about it for years, just did not take it serious until my sister started investigating it.

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

I had no problem getting insurance approval through Kaiser Permanente. My BMI was over 50 so that qualified me. I still had to get the referral from my PCP, dietitian and behaviorist before the board would approve it. They wanted to make sure I had taken other steps before deciding on such a drastic measure.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was short. I liked him right off... does not hurt that he understands why I have chosen surgery as a last resort. Bring a list with you of questions. I tend to write things down as they come to mind and then go down a check list with my surgeon or PCP.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Not being able to keep the weight off...

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Kaiser decided for me. They only do the 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?

Going in I did not know what to fear as I had never had surgery before. NOW I know the worst part for me was the nausea following my 2nd day post op. I think on some level we all feel like...I might die ... but I asked for and got an antianxiety pill to take the night before surgery to help me sleep.

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 sister had already gone through the surgery so I guess you could say she paved the way for me. My family is very supportive. My S.O. maybe less so. His fear is I will loose the weight and leave him. I tell him not to worry but...easier said than done. My work has been amazingly supportive.

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

As stated in question 9 they were amazingly supportive. I work in the medical field so that probably had a lot to do with it. I had surgery on 1/23/03 and went back to work the end of February.

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 not overly pleasant. Maybe because I am a nurse and expected more...not sure. I had lap surgery on Thursday and went home that Saturday. I brought radio headphones with me to drown out other noise. That was the only thing (other than a back scratcher) that I even had the energy to use.

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

No complications. I did go through a period of time at about 2 months out where I threw up almost every day but it did stop. I guess I was trying too much too soon.

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

If it had not been for the uncontrolable nausea it would have been a lot easier. The pain was fairly well managed after leaving the hospital with Lortab.

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

Once the nausea was controlled about day 4 life got easier. Found that if I got up every hour or so and drank some protien drink and walked a little and if I took my pain meds on a routine basis that I felt much better. I was more than ready to go back to work and Curves when the time came. At 4 weeks out I felt almost better than at any other time in my life.

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

KSSF was aprox an hour and a half drive from my home. The ride home with the nausea was probably the worst feeling ever in my life.

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 ate cream of wheat, sugar free pudding, pro-complex (with water only) 1-3 servings a day as tolerated, and water for the first week or so as well as soups that I liked by straining them smooth. I can eat anything now (over 6 months out)though dairy, for the most part, will go right through me. If I have too much sugar (say a jamba juice) then I have to follow it with protein or I become hypoglycemic.

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

I was able to walk from day one. I was very glad that I had been working out prior to surgery. It helped me move much better after surgery.

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

Week one...childrens chewable vitamin with iron 2 times a day, my prozac-30 mg each day, my vitamin B-12 SL on Mondays and Fridays, Senna for my bowels (one a day). After my first MD appointment I was able to start taking my mega multi vitamin twice a day as well as my calcium citrate twice a day. I take my iron pill mid day...you should not take iron and calcium together. I do continue to take a protein drink once a day for the most part.

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?

vomiting was the worst for me. Started at about 2 months and lasted several months. Hair loss though expected was a bit of a shock. It never got bad and started and stopped as I had expected.

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

The NAUSEA on day 2 - 4

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

My support group is through Kaiser, also on line at yahoo group (theothersidewlssurgery)

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

I had Lap so I have 5 small scars. Two of which are not visible any more and the other 3 are fading with time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

9 months out was my worst plateau so far...and I can't even call it a plateau cuz I still lost weight though VERY slow.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not so much different...many "hey skinny" comments. Still have a long way to go until that is a true statement.