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

A friend of mine had a VGB about 5 years ago. I took immediate interest in the procedure and started researching my options.

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

I wanted the WLS ASAP I was unemployed and on Masshealth and Welfare. So i though I'd take advantage of the situation and get it done as quickly as possible although I did not think Mashealth would cover it. Well the Dr. Office took care of all the insurance stuff I never saw anything until the day before surgery the approval came in the mail.

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

I was nervous because I only weighed 223 and though i'd be laughed out of the office that was not the case.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Tired,sweat= lazy to most people. I wanted to run and play with my children, I wanted to ride the rides at the park and stay all day on an all day pass without passing out.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research, Research, Research === Open 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?

I have small children and like any surgery there are risks. I did not think I would die but I guess there is alway a chance so it is something you must think about.I am very optimistic and dont usually weight the down side of things.

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?

DON'T DO IT!!!! Your not that big!!!! You can diet!! You haven't tried hard enough to lose weight to do THAT!!!

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

Was not employed at the time.

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

Not bad I have a high pain threshold. 7 days in the hospital 3 in ICU and 4 on the regular floor. after day 3 and the swallow test the Dr removed the NG tube which is the only really bad thing I can complain about I did not like that at all. I brough nothing but in this hospital they did not even have the little bottles of shampoo so my mom brought me some.

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

I had no complication at all.

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

Im easy going my only worry was telling my childrens father because I did not want people trying to talk me out of my decision.

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

Like everyone, OH No what did I do to myself. and I was real tired for the first 6 weeks, again everyone just though I was lazy. It took a new job to get me up and going then things just got better and better.

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

Close to home. About 20 minutes. Could have gone to Boston but I did not want to have to wait months and months.

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.

Bread was ans is a big problem because it balls up when it goes down so i stay away from bread. I can eat anything. I think if i drink too much milk i get a slight dumping feeling but have never actually dumped.

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

8 months later you can not slow me down.

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

cvs 1 a day and xtra Iron everyday.

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?

none, Update. January 2003 hernia surgery it was worse the the RNY the surgey was in the same place at the WLS plus i had another hernia in an existing surgial spot. October 2003 3 year aniversery and i beleive i now have another hernia this time in the left side of the incision, before it was on the right I have massive scar tissue from the hernia surgery and will not do anything about the new one until i really really have to.

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

I know you will all find this hard to beleive but NOTHING.

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

OSSG Chat Im addicted. and email lists. NEw group was formed in Taunton but i have not had a chance to go to any meetings i went to the 1st one only.

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

About 5 inches very minor getting lighter. No i expected a much larger scar. UPDATE not as good now that i had the hernia surgery in the same place.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Because I started at a lower weight I have lost much slower than most everyone but I'm am thrilled with the results of this surgery. UPDATE have been gaining but not really sure Y.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My Brother is being nicer to me. must be cuz im not fat and lazy now.