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

I got a new doctor and he bluntly stated that I was a perfect candidate for WLS and that I would most die without it.

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

I was approved in 3 days. Even my insurance company realized how badly I needed it!

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

I had expected to be referred to a different surgeon who does the majority of WLS here so I was apprehensive. I took a list of questions and had 2 meetings with him before I decided to proceed. I'm very happy with him now.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was truly a "last resort". I was over 300 pounds and just could not get any significant weight loss with traditional plans.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was going to go with the Lap-band but the physican and surgeon advised that I would probably not lose the amount of weight I needed to lose with it. The surgeon was skilled at using the Divinci robotics machine which left with very little pain and a speedy recovery.

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?

My biggest fear was blood clots. The surgeon took some extra precautions with me because of my fear.

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 have not encounted any family or health provider that did not think it was a good idea. My oldest friends were surprisingly non-supportive but they have never had weight issues. I wish I would have tried to educate them but I was so hurt by their idea that I was "cheating" that I haven't spoken to them since.

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

I had a terrible time getting time off. I literally worked on it for months. It was harder than getting insurance approval. Luckily, I had 2 months of sick leave saved and eventually got approved to take it.

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

I was able to stay for 3 days. I had a private room and my husband "bunked" in with me. The staff was so attentitve and wonderful

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

One day my fever went to 102. I went to the Emergency room and they were not pleasant. They gave me some large pills to take in case I was getting an infection. When I explained that I could not take them, the attending doctor said there was "nothing he could do about it." I saw the surgeon the next day and he said I didn't have an infection (I had blood work done) and to not take the pills.

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

It's been 3 weeks since my surgery and I feel worse than I expected to. I don't have any pain from the surgery but I feel very weak and I had some horrible food reactions. I am so looking forward to this phase being over.

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

I think moments of irritability are common. Also, don't expect the person to be able to tolerate being in the kitchen. The sight/smell of some foods can make the person sick.

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

2 miles.

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 thought I would be okay if I just stuck to pureed type foods as the surgeon said only pureed/liquid for 30 days. However, I ate some dip and on another day, spaghetti sauce and had 24 hours of pain. It still makes me gag to think about those episodes.

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

I walk the treadmill every day for 10-12 minutes to ward off blood clots. I'm too weak for anything else. I swam one day (once cleared by surgeon) and it took me almost an hour to shower and dress because I was so exhausted.

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

Right now I just take a couple of flinstones. I got some Bariatric Advantage vits to start in a couple of months.

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 still have terrible nausea. The surgeon gave me suppositories for it but I can't decide which is worse! he also gave me Nexium which I take every day.

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

The weakness. Also, I have terrible food cravings all the time. If I was on a traditional diet I would quit it at this point. I missed going out to dinner for Valentines Day, my birthday, etc. Right now it doesn't seem worth it. But I've talked with enough people to know that this is a phase.

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

I am a You Tube fanatic. I don't know of any support groups in my area.

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

My scars have just completely closed. I got some Midera to help with it. I truly don't care about scarring. I'll have more when I do the plastic surgeries.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've been dropping 1-2 lbs a day. No stall yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I haven't encounted many people yet. Plus, I still weigh 275 so I don't think it is an issue yet.