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

I have known about bariatric surgery for 11 yrs, but in the beginning a lot of people did not have success and the risks were greater than the chance of success. Last year a friend pointed out to me all the changes that have occured over the years and how it can now be done laproscopically for a quicker recovery. I like the fact that there are no foreign objects in my body, all of my body parts were just re-adjusted.

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

I really enjoyed meeting my surgeon, he was very informative, took his time, explained everything to me. He seemed like he had all the time in the world to spend with me. It is important to ask questions, anything you are curious about you should write down prior to your meeting with the surgeon so you don't forget to ask anything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I went to Colorado with a friend and I could hardly climb the stairs from the basement (where we slept) without having to sit down for 5 minutes to catch my breath!! That is when I knew enough was enough, this coupled with the research that I had done on the surgery and my surgeon, I was more than ready to go ahead with my WLS.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only likes procedures that do not leave a foreign body inside your body. Eventually these items can become harmful and risky to your health. I was fortunate to be able to have it done laproscopically.

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 on a path to an early death, my size made me struggle everyday. I had already invisioned my dying at an early age from weight complications. I decided to put it in Gods hands and if I made it through the surgery my life would forever be changed for the better. For me, it was completely worth the risk.

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?

I was suprised by my family, they were very supportive and continue to be. Most of my friends are in the healthcare profession and they too were very excited and proud of me and my decision, and continue to be to this day.

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

She was very happy for me, she stated that it would improve the quality of my life and she wished me all the best. I had no problem getting approved for time off for the surgery. I returned to work part time after 3 weeks, and full time after 4 weeks.

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

The first day was bad. I had a lot of back pain which was finally undercontrol after about 10 hrs, then I had little to no pain. I was in ICU for the first night, the next day I was transfered up to the floor and the ICU nurse told me that she could not push my bed with me in it and asked me to walk to the elevator and up to my new room!! I was drugged at the time, so it really didn't hit me until later how inappropriate she was to suggest such a thing!! After this incident the rest of my stay was great. I was in the hospital for 4 days. The most important thing for me to bring was my tooth brush, tooth paste, and brush!!

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

I was fortunate not to have any complications post-op.

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 so relieved to finally get my surgery date, and excited!! I really didn't get nervous until 2 days before surgery. I broke down and told my parents that I was having surgery, I wanted to keep it as a suprise, but they were very understanding and supportive!!

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

I took it easy the first 2-3 days after I got home. I followed the diet plan closely and even skipped quite a few meals. I was careful not to over-eat!! I think the most difficult thing is to drink enough fluids in the beginning, you have to take small drinks, but very frequently!! I took no more pain medication after about 1 week of being home.

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

I only live 7 miles from the hospital so my travel was insignificant.

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.

Foods I still can't eat much of is Bread and heavy pasta. I can handle a small amount of angel hair pasta, but very little!! I cannot eat even a portion of a breakfast burrito (at all)!! Lettuce was difficult at first, but I was able to eat a small salad after 2 1/2 months. I stuck with pureed foods for about 3 weeks, and then I ate regular foods VERY SLOWLY!! I chewed my food forever before swallowing!! It did beat the pureed food though!!

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

My activity level has increased by 400%!! I started out walking and would be exhausted after 30 minutes!! Now I ride my health-rider machine for 3 sets of 500 with a 1 minute break inbetween to take in some water and check my pulse-rate!! I can complete 1500 reps in 32 minutes!!

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

I take a multivitamin twice a day, vitamin C twice a day, Calcium/magnesium/zinc supplement three times a day. A Protein bar now and again also helps out!!

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 have only vomited twice since surgery. I have been nauseated a few times, especially trying out new foods. I have tried to be very careful to eat small portions!! I am sleeping better than ever, I have not had any dumping accept for post-op day 2-7. I had dumping immediately for 5 days and have not had any since. I have not lost any of my hair, if you remember to try to take in as much protein as possible, you have a better chance of not loosing hair.

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

Having to be cared for in the hospital. I am a nurse and have been for 11years. It is difficult for me to be the patient after never having been one before!!

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

We have a gastric bypass support group meeting once a month for people in all stages of the surgery. Some people just there to inquire as well. That is how I decided to go ahead with the surgery. It is neat to be able to ask questions of post-op patients in various stages of being post-op and get true answers from several different people that actually lived the experience before you!!

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

I was able to have the surgery laproscopically so I have a total of 7 small scars that are purplish in color on my abdomen. 6 were actually from the scope and 1 is from a drain that was in place for 2 days. One of them is so healed that I can hardly find it. The other scars are so small that they are barely noticable. I am very pleased with how things have turned out for me so far!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people want to know what I am doing, they have more time to talk with me now than before. I also get a lot of support and encouragement from my co-workers, friends, and family!! I was boarding an airline reciently and when I showed my ID, the attendant started up a conversation about my weightloss and showed 2 of her co-workers!! Then she upgraded my seat!!