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

My best friend told me she was considering bariatric surgery. At first I thought the solution to be too drastic. It seriously took me about 6 months to come around and decide this is what I wanted. Once I decided it, there was no looking back for me.

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

You will need a medical team who is pre-pared and willing to fight for you in some cases. I have Cigna of California. Although, they did approve the surgery they are famous for waiting until the day before surgery to give final approval. Just be persistant and make sure your paperwork is in order.

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

My first appointment with my Surgeon was great. Dr. Billy was casual and approchable which helped a lot. The information I recieved was very informative and well thought out.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I thought about it for 6 months. During that time I tried one last time to lose weight on my own for 6 weeks I ate only salad, some fresh fruit, drank tons of water and worked out every night. At the end of 6 weeks I was only down 8 pounds and I knew I could not keep up the starvation / work out method for long. I also knew some of the weight lost was water weight. That was when I knew that I needed more help than what Weight Watchers could offer

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was a personal decision. I wanted something that would last forever.

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?

Most everyone was very supportive. I know there are a couple who do not believe in the surgery, but maybe they will understand a year down the road when I am finally healthy.

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

My co-workers and boss were supportive of my decision. I went back to work after 1 week. I was sore for a couple of days, but then had a couple days off to get over the hump and was fine.

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

The hospital staff at Sutter Roseville Hospital in Roseville CA, were great as a whole. I was there for 3 days and was treated well. Bring Shampoo and Conditioner, after they unplugg the IV you can take a shower and will feel much better. I was able to take off the hospital gown at that time and wear my own jammies, yay. Since everyone wants to see your tummy many times a day, bring a tee-shirt and loose shorts to wear as jammies. Don't forget your own undies, have you ever seen hospital undies - yikes. This is helpful if you have a drainage tube(laproscopic), you can tuck it into the side of your undies and it won't hang down to your knees.

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

The first day was rough because I was allergic to the Morphine. I had dry heaves all day and couldn't communicate well. After they switched my meds I was much better and was even able to flip (slowly) from side to side all night. Use a pillow under your tummy if you are on your side to eliviate pressure. Be sure and make a mental note when your meds where given and when the next one is due. Keep on top of that, if you stay on top of the pain it is not bad. If you go to long, it takes longer for the meds to work.

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

During the first week I had some bouts of crying. I didn't regret it, I was just scared of the new lifestyle. Having surgery can make you very emotional for a couple of weeks. I just wanted to feel normal again, that happend at about 2 weeks out, now I feel great.

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

I did fine with getting up and going in the AM. Although, at night, I have been in bed by 9 every night. I don't feel exhausted, just tired earlier. I am just trying to listen to my body.

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

The hospital that my Surgeon uses is about 2 hours away. After being release from the hospital, I had to stay in a hotel room for several days. I did fine, but really wanted to just go home.

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.

Days 1-2 nothing to eat or drink, until day 3 when they test for leaks Days 3-5 water, broth and jello, just go slow, Take a couple teaspoons then wait a couple minutes. Days 6-14 Pureed foods. This included Baby Food, Cream of Wheat, Instant Mashed Potatos, Light Yogurt. I made the mashed potatos with chicken broth to up my protein. I made the cream of wheat with soy milk to also up my protein. I made smoothies with Protein Powder, Banana, Soy Milk, Carnation Instant Breakfast (sugar free). Another thing I did with the Instant Potatos was to mix in Cream of Chicken Soup. I also started on Liquid Centrum Vitamins and asked my Pharmacist for Liquid Iron Supplement. I did better when I took them with food, otherwise, I had to sit for a minute. Week 2 - I was able to start soft foods today and had part of a peach for breakfast and Salmon for Dinner - yay.

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

I just started exercising today. I did arm weights, and leg exercises. I then laid flat and did some tummy tighening, just holding it in to build muscle. This did not hurt my stomache.

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

When I started on Pureed Foods, I started on Liquid Centrum Multi Vitamins and a Liquid Iron Supplement that I got from the Pharmacist. I also make a smoothie every other day for breakfast and include Protein Powder.

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 have dry heaves from the morphine and once from the Liquid Vicatin. Other than that, I had diarhea for 2 days, I took Liquid Imodiam AD and it went away.

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

The dry heaves on day 1 due to the Morphine.

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

There is a support group starting in Lake Tahoe this week. Our first meeting is on Wednesday November 28th.

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

My incisions were tiny. In fact my Surgeon was able to go through a couple of my scars from my Laproscopic Gall Bladder Surgery. Dr. Billy's incision marks where much smaller, I am pleased with that, he did a great job.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

2 weeks post op - None yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

2 week post op - Not yet.