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

I had heard about gastric bypass because both of my parents had it. I was very ignorant about it at first, and it seemed very extreme.

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

Actually, I didn't realize that there were insurance issues. I went to my physician and told him I wanted to do this, and it happened. I had my surgery on a friday, and I received a letter from Oxford on Saturday stating it was approved.

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

The consultation was very informative. People can get the most by hearing the physician when he says that WLS is a tool, not a miracle.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I couldn't walk a block without my back hurting, and I was 25 years old.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew about the surgery, and decided to have it. I really wasn't aware that there was more than one kind until I went to my consultation.

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 didn't have any fear whatsoever. I just decided to have it and did it. When they were helping me on to the operating table, my though was,"I wish this was done already". It was so time for me to have the surgery, I never had any doubts.

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 extremely supportive before and after the surgery. They all knew how important it was for me to have this surgery. I even told people at work, and they were all supportive as well.

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

Fine, I encouraged her to have the surgery as well, and she did. I stayed out for 6 weeks.

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

I was in the hospital a week because I had an open Gastric Bypass AND a splenectomy. My hospital stay was fine. Everyone was very nice. The most important thing to bring is (if you are female) a dress to put over your head when you leave. You don't want to havw to bother with pants. Also moisturizer for your hair because it can get very dry. Pictures are great, too.

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

The only complications I had were constant fevers. I hear they are common after you have your spleen removed.

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 great. I didn't have nay anxiety about having the surgery, I just wanted it done. I was never afraid either. I just kept thinking about how my life would change for the better after surgery.

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

I had pain the first day home after the hospital. I didn't have much pain after that. People should expect a slight pain in their stomach when moving around. I didn;t really experience much else. I stopped using the pain medicine 4 days after I left the hospital. I was released from the hospital on friday, and monday I was walking a mile.

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

I lived in canarsie, and traveled to lenox hill hospital in manhattan.

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 was on pureed foods for 4 weeks post op, ans tried other foods in that time frame. I can tolerate everything except fish. I can eat beef, chicken, etc. I threw up so much from the fish I might never eat it again. I did find that I can eat something today and tolerate it fine; eat it tomorrow and throw it up. This happened with baked potato chips. I am unable to eat Macaroni and cheese, and anything with sugar.

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

I was able to walk a mile three days afer being released from the surgery. Since then I feel like I can walk for miles. I have increased my activity by walking, doing an excerise tape, and getting things for myself in the house instead of asking my sister to get them for me. I also plan to join a gym. I have been walking every chance I get.

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

I had to take 2 anti-ulcer medications which I have finished. I now take a multi vitamin, tums (for gas and calcium), b-12, zinc, and b-6 pills.

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 did not have nausea. I experienced vomitting if something did not agree with me, or I ate too much. That wasn't so bad because there is no staomach acid. I was not able to sleep for more than 3 hours for about 1 week after surgery. I have not experienced dumping. I am still having air loss. I have extremely thick hair, and I would say to this point I have lost 6 handfulls of hair all together (but you can't tell). Doc says it means you are loosing weight and this will regulate as the weight loss regulates.

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

The first 3 days after the surgery in the hospital!!!!

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

I have not gone to any of the support groups, although I intend to. I have my parents (both have had the surgery, my sister in law, friends I made in the docs office the day of my consultation, and co-workers who I have encuraged to have it.

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

I had the open bypass and splenectomy, so my scar is longer than most scars would be. I don't care, though. I told the doctor whatever, as long as I have the surgery. I bought the Band Aid scar healing treatments, to see if they will lighten it. I expected a long scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am not at that point yet. I am steady loosing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are just paying more attention now, asking me about the surgery and how much weight I have lost. Everyone loves asking me about how much I eat and what I eat.