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

One of my cousins had the surgery and has done really well. She's lost an entire person. It's a scary opertion and a huge decision but it is also life altering and from most accounts a positive one.

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. I'm sure it depends on your history and individual circumstances

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

Honestly I felt like I was on an assembly line. It was quick and rather unsettling. He just went over the basics and if I qualified. Then he met me with a group and went over the procedure. I would have preferred a one on one but he does so many of these a day and is supposed to be one of the best in NJ, so I didn't compain. He also was able to give me a scheduled date within 3 months instead of 4-5 so I am grateful.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My cousin is doing so well and seems to be much happier with herself. I don't want to live the next 70 years miserable because I can't win the battle and get to a healthy weight. I don't want to develop diabetes, injuries or heart issues due to the weight like many family members have.

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 have some fears. But I don't believe it is my time to go. I pray every day and am hoping that the Lord feels this is the right thing for me to do to live a happier and longer life. I have confidence in picking a well received and accredited surgeon with many surgery's under his belt with a low rate of fatality. Never underestimate the power of prayer and be totally honest with your Dr.'s. With out the facts, they can't protect you from everything.

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?

It is a split decision. Some feel this is the best opportunity for me. Other's feel it is too extreme and going to a gym is the answer. No one truly knows how it feels to be you. It is a personal decision but support and guidence is extremely important.

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

I've been at my job for 5 years. They were not thrilled to hear I'd be out 4-6 weeks. Especially since I was out on maturnity the year before. But since this wasn't really an elective surgery but a recommended one for my health and well being they had no choice. I was covered under short term disability and only took out 4 weeks. I could have used more time and was eligible but pushed myself to get back to avoid any negativity from my office. If I couldn't handle going back I would have taken more time. They couldn't fire me over it but I felt I needed to get back to work.

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 4 days. The first night the nurses were very supportive. But when they moved me to a regular room, the new staff was rude and practically invisible. I'm glad I brought my own stuff to make me less miserable. I brought my own pillows, a CD player, showering stuff and night gowns. It was important to me to be as comfortable as possible. Since they let you shower sometime on day 2/3 it was important to feel clean. I have a high pain threshold so I only recommend you do what you feel you are able to.

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

In the second month, I had a small irritation that made me throw up every 20 minutes for about 3 hours. I guess something was stuck but all that came out was saliva. I went to the hospital but they saw nothing. It worked itself out but it was awful. It reminded me that the MOST important thing is to chew, chew, chew. Everything you swallow has to be basically pureed in your mouth. If you concentrate you will have very few issues. I also have to be very careful with sugar. Don't eat anything fast. If you want to try something, do it at home where you can lay down if you have a reaction. Also, don't just try things cause they worked for some people. I heard extra zinc helps with hair loss. I started taking 100 mg's of zinc along with my daily vitamins. I was ill for 2 days. I mean, curled in a ball, intense pain, ill. Turns out the normal person can over dose if taking over 150mg of zinc a day. With my system, taking 130mg was way too much and my body couldn't tolerate it. Read up, talk to your Dr. or try things slowly first!

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

The first month the pain was tough. My back ached terribly and I could only sleep upright in a recliner. I hated the pouch and the drain bothered me 24/7. By eight weeks post op, things slowly got better. My biggest complaint was how tired I was. The body heals but your energy level is really low for a long time. I had a lot of support from family which is hugely important. I also knew my own limits and when to just give in and rest. I had to keep telling myself all the painand suffering was for a greater good and once the weight started coming off you feel so much happier. It was worth it!

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

The first 2 weeks were the hardest. The pain wakes you up and just going to the bathroom/ getting up is tough. The meds help and again resting is key. Sleeping upright seemed more comfortable and less stressful on the abs. The liquid diet also gets very boring so I got creative and pureed things like chicken with rice and gravy and ate that by week 3-4.

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

I had to live at my mother's for the first week because she is only 20 minutes from my Dr. and the hospital where he does it. Then I went home about 45 minutes away and she came to stay with me for a week. The extra help is critical. The less you are getting up and down the better for the first 2 weeks. By week three I was able to drive and do light shopping but

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 for 2-3 weeks. I stayed far away from sugary things. Anything with more the 15gms of sugar per serving cause me dumping. By weeks 3-4 I was eating pureed chicken and stews to add variety. Soda, alcohol and breads, raw veggies, course meat, popcorn were all off limits for the first few months. By month 4 I could pretty much eat what I wanted if I chew it carefully. Anything not chewed enough got stuck on the way down and caused intense pressure, and either it works its way down or you have to throw it up. I used to have to cut all my viatmins or take chewables but now I can take a normal sized adult vitamin with water and have no issues with it getting stuck. I rarely eat salad, nuts, soda, alcohol etc. because these can cause dumping and/or blockages and are harder to chew really finely. I'm 5 months post op. and can toreate more foods with sugar. I try to avoid them but have been able to test myself and know what my limits are. I don't over eat on anything. I know the signals my stomach gives when it is full so I just stop eating. I also consciously choose healthier foods high in protein because eating junk food will only set me back on my weight loss and that isn't worth it to me.

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

I was extremely tired and easily exhausted in the first 3 months. I slept deeply and often. As I've now lost 77 pounds, I feel great. I can take stairs and walk really fast and not get winded or start sweating.

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

I started out on chewable kids vitamins and the recommended, extra Vit. C, calcium,etc. Now I take a huge host of things daily: 1 multi vitamin, 2 Vit. C's, 1 Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc Vitamin, 1 GNC Hair nails vitamin and 1 extra of each of the following: folic acid, Vit. E, Vit. B6, B12, Vit D, and Biotin

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 never really had a lot of vomiting unless something got stuck. Less then 10 times total really. The nausea was and still can be the worst. It makes you want to lay down for 30 minutes or so. I get the clammy skin, heat flashes etc. with the nausea too. It was worse in the first 2-3 months, pretty consistent no matter what you eat. Now it only comes when I eat something that doesn't agree with me or too much of something with lots of sugar in it. The worst thing for me is the constant hair loss that has started around 2 1/2 months post op. I have thick long hair and it comes out heavy now. Not by the handful but still. I have no bald spots but I'm worried about how thin it has gotten. It is supposed to stop by the 6th month and I started watching every bit of protein I'm getting. I'm supposed to have 100 grams a day which is hard and I've also started taking Biotin with my GNC vitamin for hair which is all supposed to help.

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

The first 3 weeks. You are incredibly uncomfortable and miss eating normally. The pain is manageable with meds but it does hurt and your body is very sore, nauseous and exhausted. The drain is annoying and gross and in general you feel lousy 24/7.

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

I just have my family and friends. I live so far away from the town where I had the surgery that I can't get to the Dr.'s meetings. It probably would have really helped any anxiety I had to be able to go to them so I'd recommend you find one plus use friends and family as support.

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

My scar is thicker on top then down by my belly button. It looks like a red rope. It is raised off my skin and you can feel it though your shirt. It is ugly but I'm told if I rub it with Vit. E oil, it will fade eventually. It is actually better than I expected. My Dr. used the glueing method so I have no staple marks which makes people look like they have a railroad track or zipper up their stomach. I also have a smile shape scar from the tummy tuck. It is thinner then the first one and will fade in time. Underwear hides most of it and I might even be able to eventually get away with belly shirts which will only show a glimpe of the scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've consistently lost wieght in the 5 months since the operation. Some months are slower and less then another. It depends on my activity level and what I am eating. I also tend to hold water weight 1-2 weeks a month so I hit a plateau and have to increase mobility and wait it out to see the real weight loss. Now at 12 months post op, I've also had the tummy tuck and I'm down 110 pounds and counting. Everyone says I've lost enough but I need to firm up a lot of trouble spots like my gut, butt and thighs!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Big time. People at my office are constantly commenting on my shrinking form and I notice more men admiring me when I'm walking anywhere. I missed that for a long time. It feels good. I know I am dressing more confidently and carrying myself better now that I'm not lugging around the extra weight and hiding in big baggy clothes.