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

My OB/GYN first reccomended the procedure. We had been working together for years for my infertility issues. We had even worked on a diet together. I had lost 20# and was thrilled... only to gain it back. Then my weight plataued. I was at a loss. This is when she told me about Dr. Roller. My husband and I have never thought of this route before. For once in my life, I was hopefull that this will work!

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

We were fortunate enough to have a great insurance provider. We had no hassels or problems. My OB/GYN and my Physician both supported me and their offices were very compliant when I needed records faxed. If your insurance doesn't require it, I do reccomend a written doctors referal to the insurance company to help speed things up.

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

Our hospital had it's own Bariatric Suite. It was still like a hospital room, but they were private rooms. I had no complications with surgery and I was walking aroung on our floor that same night. Dr. Roller was impressed with my recovery. I had a barium swallow the next day and as soon as the Dr. recieved the results I was able to leave. I was there for a little more than 24 hours.

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

I feel fortunate that I had no complications 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?

I was excited. A little nervous, but more excited. I had a great support system that really helped. Both my parents and in-laws were excited for me as well as my friends. I think my boss worried the most (had a cousin, surgery didn't go well for him, yadda, yadda, yadda). But he saw how informed I was about the procedure (thanks to Dr. Roller's program!) He did enouph worrying for the both of us!

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

I was able to stay home for the reccomended two weeks. I am thinking it was long enouph! I never experienced nausea, but I did have problems sleeping on my side. It was quite painfull. After about a week, I was feeling pretty good. On my program, we had to do a liquid diet for 2 weeks. 2oz. protien every hour and 1oz. water every 15min. I never got hungry, but I sure so despise protein shakes now! The more you get up and move around the better...

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

Again, I got lucky. The weight loss clinic and hospital (they are next to each other) are only 3 blocks away.

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.

The only thing that still bothers me (7 months later) are scrambled eggs... this includes ommlets. Hard boiled eggs are fine. Anything high in sugar and fat are off limits! No more birthday cakes, candy bars, sodas, etc. No more fried foods either. They make my stomach naseated. Mostly everything else is ok... just take it slowly... soft foods for the first 3 months (stomach still healing). After that you can handle raw veggies and salads.

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

I take a complete chewable multivitamin (that contains 18mg. iron) twice a day. Calcium about 3 times a day, an hour or two away from the vitamin. 40mg. of Prilosec OTC or the generic once a day, Birth control pill once a day and a sublingual B12 dot. Oh, and 5000 mg of Biotin for my hair and nails (your body loses hair a couple months after surgery due to stress... it comes back, and it's not very noticable hairloss to the general public...)

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?

Just the hairloss, which is more annoying than anything. Just give it time and it'll grow back! I am 7 months out now and thank goodness I have not dumped yet. Read your labels carefully!!

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

The two week liquid diet. Other than that, I have no regrets... I am saying this while I am a 100# lighter!

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

My surgeon provides a support group on a monthly basis. They cover a topic then afterwords they open the floor for Q and A's for everyone. It's great to hear about other ppl's experiences and also to be able to offer advice when possible.

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

Scar? What scar? Oh, you mean those six tiny red blemishes on my stomach! At 7 months out, you can hardly see them. I am surprised how small the incisions were and how small the scars are. I suspect after a while that they wouldn't be noticable at all!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

So far I have been lucky in this department. I am sure one is coming, but my Dr. said that some people don't ever plateau...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Maybe not treating me differently, but deffinately noticing me more!