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

I forget how I first found out about it but my first thought was that this was a very radical surgery and anybody would be a fool for risking their life. However, that has now changed. I have realized that the way I am, I am at a greater risk of dying than I will have during surgery. I'm only 38 years old. Heart disease, diabetes, high chlorestoral, obesity, & cancer are all very present in my family. After my mothers heart attack at age 55 (she is average weight), I knew I had to make a change.

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

My experience with AETNA was not too bad. I was denied initially because I didn't have the 6 month Dr. supervised diet. Once I met their criteria, I was approved rather quickly.

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

My first (and so far only) visit with my surgeon went very well. He seems very knowledgable. He is with The Bariatric Treatment Center and they have a great staff and support.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My mother's heart attact 2 years ago at age 55 plus my new baby (almost 2), and my older daughter needing to have a mother around for at least 20 more years or so. I don't think I'll make 20 years without the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After researching the more common procedures, the Roux-en-Y seems to have the best results for the long run. Even though it is an "open" procedure, I'm only doing this once and I want to have something that's going to work for me down the road.

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 don't know...I'm still having those fears. Even now that I've had the surgery and had no complications whatsoever, I still worry about the future. Are there going to be things happen to me medically as a result of this surgery that wouldn't have happened otherwise? However, on the other hand, if I hadn't had the surgery, I probably wouldn't be around long enough to worry.

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?

Initially, my husband was a little uneasy. But after he went to the consultation with me, he said if that was what I wanted to do, he'd support me 110%. I believe my parents were a little hesitant also, primarily due to the risks involved. Now, all are very supportive.

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

I was off work for 6 weeks after the open RNY procedure. I told my boss the truth after I had my initial consultation in Jan. 2003. Even though I knew it was going to be a long process for approvals, apnea tests, etc. I wanted her to know from the start what was going on. She was very supportive and still is.

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

I was at the Bariatric Treatment Center in Groveport, Ohio for 3 nights. My experience was wonderful. The staff is fantastic and there are only about 30 beds or so there (maybe a few more now since they've added on) and you get a lot of attention. They provided everything you'd need (including tongs and chapstick). Now, of course you'd still want your personal items - combs, brush, etc.

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

I had 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 only had one week from when I got my date to the date of surgery. I didn't have time to worry. I just spent the weekend cleaning house.

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

I was very very tired for the first 4 weeks or so. Most likely from not being able to eat. I'd had 2 C-sections and was shopping within 3 days of those, but not this time. I was wiped out. After the first week, the pain was minimal, but eating/drinking was a challenge.

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

I only traveled about 15 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.

Of course I couldn't lift my 2 year old for about 2 months. As far as food goes, I pretty much followed my surgeons plan. The only thigs that I had a hard time tolerating were pork and cube steaks. Pork still bothers me, but the cube steaks go down just fine now.

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

My activity lever was low for the first 4-6 weeks. After that, it got a little better every day.

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

I currently take 2 prenatal vitamins and 2 calcium supplements daily as well as Biotin, sublingual B-12, and the occasional iron tablet

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 only had nausea while in the hospital. I have not experienced dumping and have vomited only 3 times and they were my fault - either eating too much/too fast or not chewing properly.

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

For me, the worst part was about weeks 3-5 post-op when my surgeons diet left a lot to be desired. I just didn't want to even try to eat.

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

I haven't attended a support meeting, however the Bariatric Treatment Center has nurses/dieticians that can be reached 24/7

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

My scar is about 7 inches long from sternum to belly button. It is not bad at all and the redness is starting to fade.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateaued about 3 weeks post-op and now that I'm 3 months post-op, things seem to be slowing a little. I'm lucky to lose 7-8 pounds a month now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, but I don't know if that's because of them or if it's because I've changed and I approach people and talk to them differently. I have much more confidence and I'm not as embarassed about my weight, so I know I'm treating people differently too.