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

I really do not know what made me start to think this is what I wanted to do but once the thought crossed my mind, it's all I could think about. I reserched it for about 3 months and then asked my doctor what she thought of the idea and went from there. I was so excited about having it done once I found out it was an option for me.

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

The day my doctor "okayed" me having the surgery, I called the insurance company to see what they would tell me and they said they do not cover the surgery REGARDLESS OF MEDICAL NECESSITY! I was so devistated. I cried and to my husband and gave up. Then about 2 months later, I saw a commercial on TV for LivLite and I heard they would work with your insurance company to get the surgery approved. So I called them and I found out that my insurance would have covered it anyway because of my place of employment, there is something different about our policy. I then became ecstatic and started the ball rolling with all the paperwork and tests. YEAH!

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

I was so excited about going to see the surgeon. I had so many questions and he had all the right answers. I had to make a list before I went because I usually cannot remember everything I want to ask my doctor and I knew I would need to write all of my questions down on paper so I could be sure and get all of the information I wanted. I suggest that to everyone considering surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew from the moment I first considered the idea that's what I wanted to do. My husband thought it was just an idea and it would pass but I was very serious. He was worried at first but after I shared the information I got with him, he started to feel better. I could not wait to have surger. I wasn't even nervous. Just excited!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wasn't really familiar with anything other than gastric bypass since that's what I had been researching but I went to an informational meeting and hearing all of the information about the other procedures, I felt like gastric bypass was the right one for me. I wanted the weight to come off fast and it was the most common so that made me feel better about it.

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 wasn't really worried alot about it. I knew there was risks but they were really low for me. I didn't have major problems before (just high blood pressure and pain in my joints) so I felt like everything would go smoothly. I do have 2 boys so of course I was concerned but I knew that in the long run, I would end up having more complications without the surgery.

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?

My mother was very supportive. My dad was not negative about it but I felt like he thought I should try everything else before going through with this life-changing surgery. My brother was not happy about it at all. I told about all of the information I had gotten about the surgery and he was more concerned about the risks. My boys didn't really understand what all was involved so they weren't worried. My husband was very supportive throughout the whole experience. Everyone is supportive now. They are impressed with my results.

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

I didn't tell my supervisor what kind of surgery I was having. Just that I was having surgery and I was only out of work for two weeks. Now that everyone has seen the weight loss, if they ask, I will tell them but I don't make a big issue out of it.

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

My stay in the hospital was hard for me because I didn't have a lot of visitors. My husband couldn't miss work and had to take care of our boys so he would come by for a little while and visit. My family came to see me a little, but I was very lonely and I had just had major surgery. I was a little depressed and in pain. I thought I had lost my mind choosing to have surgery (not any more of course) and I needed people around me. I was only there for three days but they were long days. I think the most important thing I brought was magazines and crossword puzzles. I also had a few pictures of my boys so I could see their faces every day.

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

I did not have any surgery-related complications. I developed a bad cough/cold immediately after I got home and I was in so much pain, to cough would just kill me. That lasted for a few weeks so it was hard to get through. But I've been very lucky and I feel very blessed.

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

Emotionally I felt horrible. I was so afraid that I made the wrong decision. I felt like I would never be normal again. It was like mourning the loss of food. I was so used to eating before and not thinking twice about it and now I had to measure everything and I would not be able to eat solid food for at least 4 weeks. It was a ver hard time for me. I just went day by day.

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

It was alot more painful that I thought it would be. The first week I was in a lot of pain. It started to get better the second week. I watched a lot of TV and slept a lot. I would make myself get up and walk a little every few hours and that was hard but I got through it.

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

I was lucky because I live about 30 minutes away from the hospital. I know people who had to travel from different states.

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.

The first few weeks were mainly jello and chicken broth. Nothing made me sick, I just got very tired of the same things. I was very excited when grits was added to my menu. At least I could chew them a little. And mashed potatoes - wow! I would just fill up so fast and my stomach was full but my brain was not satisfied. I would chew some foods I REALLY like and spit them out just to satisfy by brain. I'm 5 months out now and still cannot eat much meat. I've tried fish and turkey but it feels like it just gets stuck in my chest and it's VERY painful. So I stay away from that but so far nothing has made me throw up.

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

None. I would watch my boys play in the yard and my husband would take them swimming or something and I would stay home because there was NO WAY he was getting me out in a bathing suit! I would get worn out if I just did a little activity. It was very frustrating.

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

I take 2 chewable Flintstones and 2 Viactive. I do HATE the vitamins because of the aftertaste of iron. It makes me feel very sick. But I usually take the Viactive after the vitamin and it helps. I also take a B-12 shot once a month.

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?

The nausia was very bad. I have always hated that feeling but having it every time you eat is hard to deal with. I have not had the dumping problem yet and I hope that I never do. I am losing a lot of hair. That's probably the most troubling thing because I have thin hair anyway and I'm just wondering how much I am going to lose. That's one thing I did have control of (how I fixed my hair) and now I feel like I'm losing that too. I just go day to day. There isn't a lot I can do about it I guess. The nausea is better though.

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

The first week after. That is when you start to doubt your decision to have surgery and you feel like a failure because you weren't "strong enough" to lose the weight on your own. I felt that way anyway. After my first post-op visit, I got a new menu and that's when things changed a little for me. I started seeing the results and feeling better so I knew it was worth it then.

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

The support is overwhelming. I have only been able to attend 2 meetings but at both of them I had the opportunity to hear what others are going through and what they have gone through. It helps so much to have other people who know exactly what you are going through. I have a list of people to contact if I am having anxiety or have questions. It just feels so good to know there's someone there if you need them.

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

I have six little scars and they're still healing but my doctor tells me they will get better. They're not bad but still a little red. I knew the scars would be there and they don't really bother me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm going through that right now. I only lost 7 pounds in the last month and I'm freaking out. I was told that would happen and I'm not excercising so I guess I need to be doing that. I also need to stop weighing myself every day. I think I will try once a week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. They are very happy for me but the people that are close to me have always treated me so good.