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

My friend was getting it and I really was interested.

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

I had zero problems getting approved. Blue Cross of CA was EXCELLENT.

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

It was wonderful. I felt so much at ease and excited to take the next step. Ask TONS of questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I got sick of being obese. I got to the point where it was either do something or continue gaining weight and get health problems.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the least amount of scarring so I chose Lap RNY. (I want to look good in a bikini when I am done losing weight :)

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 just scared. I canno pinpoint it but when I was taken to the OR I cried.

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?

Everyone was so supportive.

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

My employer was very supportive. I told him the truth about what I was doing. I never went back to that job because I was offered a better job while I was off work recovering.

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

I was there 4 days and it was the best experience I have ever had in the hospital. The staff was so supportive. Very important to bring slippers, socks, toothbrush/paste, hygine stuff.

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

The only complication I had was SEVERE nausa the days following sugury. The night of surgury I was vomiting blood. I dealt with it by getting as much compazene as I could and by rinsing my mouth with cold water and mouthwash.

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 so excited. I was not fearfull untill I was in the pre induction unit getting preped. I got very scared and cried when I said goodbye to my loved ones as I was wheeled into the OR. I dealt by telling myself that this is the beginning of a new life.

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

I was very weak and tired. Expect to be emotional, tired, weak, and possibly pass out or feeling like you will pass out. Also expect to feel like you cannot drink a thing or get your protein at the beginning of the period when you get home and start your liquid diet and feel deprived when you are towards the end of your liquid diet.

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

I traveled 2 hours away. Did not affect my aftercare.

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.

Weeks following I could not stand tuna. All I wanted was scrambeled eggs and soup. I was craving peanut butter so bad!! (maybee the protein in peanuts??) Shrimp, I did not like so much. White fish and salmon went down great. Popsicles, crystal light, cream of wheat, jello, and cold gatorade were my best friends. Isopure is great for protein. Dark meat turkey is off limits. At 3 mos post op, I like beans, cottage cheese and tomatoes, fish, white meat turkey, cereal with bananas, skim milk, melons, homemade vegitarian chili (beans, tomato sauce, canned tomatos, onion, green pepper, chili-o seasoning, topped with cheese), I went from not even eating a half egg to tolearting about 1/4-1/2 cup of food. Sometimes I still have trouble eating because the appitite is not there. Important to get protein in even if you do not want to eat.

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

very low the days following and has steadily increased since I recovered. I have so much energy now at 3 mos.

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

sugar free kids chewable vitamins and subligual b-12. I will soon be starting calcium.

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?

Only side effect was nausea and I still get it occasionally at 3 mos. Also, when I ate dark turkey meat I felt pressure so I had to vomit it up.

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

the night after surgury I was MISERABLE. I got better after I got off the pain meds.

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

no specific program. I just go to the DR as required. I plan on attending support groups.

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

scars are not bad at all. they should be pretty much gone by next year. less than what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Just a short plateau at about 2 months and 2 weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES. I get more respect and I notice men look at me more. People are nicer.