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

I had known someone who had the surgery so I asked my family doctor to refer me to a surgeon. My first impression was that it's drastic but some time you need to take drastic measure to get your life back.

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

I didn't have a lot of problems. It all went pretty smoothly.

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

My first visit was very informative. I made sure I asked a lot of questions. I think I brought a list of things to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I didn't want to end in a wheelchair or die of a heart attack by the time I was 35 because heart disease runs in my family badly.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had to have the RNY because I needed an old surgery converted to a RNY. I had a previous surgery for GERD which was kinda botched and it needed to be fixed and converted. That surgery was a nissenfundoplication.

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 mainly concerned about the vomiting and hair loss. I did have some vomiting and I have just started to lose some hair. The vomiting passed and I was told the hair loss will subside, too.

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?

Some did want me to do it and others didn't. They are very supportive now.

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

She didn't want me to do it. She thought the surgery was the easy way out. I told her I needed the surgery to eat like a normal person(food got stuck in my throat all the time) and so I wouldn't have acid reflux anymore not just to lose weight. I lost my job due to the surgery. I was told I would have my job when I was ready to come back but she hired someone else and gave them my job. I was ready to work after 5 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 for 6 days. I absolutely hated it. The nurses were really nasty. When I needed to use the bathroom, it would take them 20-30 minutes to come to my room. By the time they showed up, I had already urinated and I had done so in my bed. That was very embarassing. And it happened more than once. My main nurse was really mean and I actually had to tell the person in charge that I did not want her for a nurse anymore. She yelled at me and on my second day there, I needed a pillow to put on my belly while I coughed and she wanted me to get up and get it myself. I told her I couldn't get up so she threw the pillow at me.

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

I did have alot of pain and nausea. I feel good now.

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 had alot of pain and nausea. I was really tired and I was dehydrated. I had to get IV fluids once.

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

I wasn't very hungry. I was tired and very sore.

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

10 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.

I can eat pretty everything except a lot of sugar and butter. I can tolerate and have always been able to tolerate alot of different things. There really isn't anything that is off limits except excess sugar and butter.

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

I was very tired up until about the 4th week and then I got all my energy back and then some.

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

I take a multi vitamin and get B12 shots.

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?

Nausea was the worst. I was nauseated alot. I get nauseated a little here and there now but nothing like before. I had to take anti nausea meds in suppository form and by IV and injections. I am starting to lose some hair now. I get the dumping very easy. The way I deal with the dumping is that I watch my sugar intake.

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

The nausea was the worst. I was so nauseated sometimes that I couldn't eat.

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

I go to a monthly group. It's good to hear others experiences. In this group, we have different topics we discuss.

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

It's big which I expected. It is from between my breasts down to my belly button. It looks like a zipper.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't had any plateaus yet. The weight loss has been pretty consistent.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I get alot more looks from guys. People are nicer to me now.