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

My sister was told she needed it or she would die and I was unclear about most of the surgery. I got to see her battle and recover everyday her first year and it was an eye opener.

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

I had no problems with insurance, but I understand that it is now more difficult. Remember I had my surgery 6 years ago.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After seeing the results my sister had.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted what was permanent and help me maintain it for the rest of my life. The r-y was for me.

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 really did not have any at the time. The biggest thing is this is the hardest thing you will ever do but it is the best thing you will ever do for yourself. There are complications with every surgery - you have to way your risk of not doing it.

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 were excited but my mother was very worried and nervous.

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

They were very supportive and I was out about 5 weeks.

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

It was good, they had a great nursing staff. I was there 3 days. Comfortable clothes and shoes. If you have the laproscopic version - then you need really good shoes because I walked for hours trying to get the air bubbles/gas to pass through.

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

The only one was a bladder infection from the stupid catheter.

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 just kept praying and asking God if this is supposed to help me then he will make it happen, and it did.

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

It was rough. I was scared to intake anything, so I was very cautious which turned out to be a great thing. My surgeon had a very strict regime and I stuck to it like glue and followed everything. The hardest part was the low energy, because even taking a shower wipped me out. The lack of food was torture, and I had a breakdown. Then I started cooking for my family and ironically I watched Food Network around the clock. For some reason it was soothing and the only thing I could watch. It helped that I walked around my house 4 or 5 times a day.

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

75 miles. Yes it did affect my care because I felt very alone and disconnected from them because they were so far away and I could not drive initially. It was too far to go for the support groups and I think my emotional breakdown at about the three week mark would not have been so bad had I been able to go to the support group meetings. I advise to get the surgery done as close as you can and attend the meetings because I wish I would have been able to.

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 was on liquids the first 6 weeks. It was Pure Protein drinks that had over 30 grams of protein and tasted pretty good on the protein drink scale. I also had limited sugar free popsicles and jello and broth. We could puree meats but the thought of that was disgusting. After that I could eat 1 oz of soft scrambled egg. Slowly introduced other soft protein related foods. At the 6 year mark - I can not really eat any red meat, absolutely no rice, grits, anything that still absorbs liquid after eating is totally off limits. My sister and I have come up with some great high protein chicken and ground turkey recipes. Canned chicken works great and goes through much easier than regular chicken no matter how its cooked. Year 1 was the learning curve and testing ground. Year 2 was the toughest because I pushed and tested the waters and paid the porcelain price and the pain that goes with it. Years 3-Current have been good I know what I can and cant have, what will make me sick or not and how to help myself when I mess up. I always eat my protein first and my breakfast almost everyday is 1/2 a protein bar, 3 oz of cottage cheese and a couple pieces of bacon. Lunch and dinner are always protein first with about 2-3 oz of a carb on the side. I snack on the other 1/2 of my protein bar, drink diet soda and crystal light. I can count on one hand the number of times in 6 years I have dumped hard and I make sure I am very careful because there are hidden carbs in things we don't know about or realize.

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

I walked around my house and driveway about 5 minutes anywhere from 5-10 times a day. Once I lost about 100 pounds I started doing pilates and lost the rest of the weight I wanted to.

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

I take multivitamins with iron and slowfe iron pills, glucosimene.

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 did not have any since I was so strict in the beginning.

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

When you have to throw up a good meal because I did not chew something well enough in the beginning because I was so hungry and ate to fast. It is the worst part because there is no stomach acids to help make is wet. Its awful to have to vomit after the surgery. On the other hand, at least if you have to it is over with in a couple of rounds and then you feel better.

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

I was not able to get to one and I wish I would have been able to.

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

You can hardly notice them. It is better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At the 120 pound mark I plateaued and stopped loosing. I had to add doing pilates 3-4 times a week and then I lost the other 40 pounds I wanted to.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Definately, especially men