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

Heard it on the radio. After I went to the informational meeting I had my doubts about having it done.

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

It did take a little while. But make sure you do everything your asked to do. Wait patiently.

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

Have a list of questions ready and written out before going.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After talking with my surgeon.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on RNY because of the maintenance and the amount of weight I had to lose.

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 think you get nervous before any procedure. the thing to remember is that if you keep going to way you are now YOU WILL DIE! with the surgery there is a CHANCE of complications but it is not the definite that obesity has.

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 family was extremely supportive. My oldest son and my mom were afraid they were going to lose me. But as I said before obesity was definitely going to kill me.

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

I was not working as I was a full-time student. My school gave me the time off I needed.

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

it seemed long (only 4 days though) Your binder with all the information you have collected about your surgery.

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

No not really

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

super excited. I only had 3 weeks from the date I actually got my surgery date.

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

frustration, emptiness, disgust(with the food)

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

15 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.

the liquid diet really made me sick. I had a difficult time getting in my liquids. The first foods I tried was cottage cheese(not agreeable as I became lactose intolerant)things that bothered me at week 8-12 I can now tolerate at week 16. It is a try try try thing. Also don't forget to chew because many things I don't tolerate are because of the lack of chewing.

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

Very low. No energy. Did not really get it back until about week 14.

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

I preferred the unjury unflavored powder so I can add it to my food as necessary. Did try the protein shots(not too bad) Also the protein powder from walmart(forgot the name) I take the multivitamins,b-complex,calcium and iron all store brand chewables. I also do the b-12 injection.

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?

vomitting was the worse the first 13 weeks and now the hair loss is driving me crazy. Not much I can do about the hair loss it is more than likely from lack of vitamins/protein the first 3 months.

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

I think the hardest part was training myself to chew, chew, chew.

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

there is a support group but I have a hard time getting there so I am part of 2 online support groups/forums. Support is one of the key components.

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

I have several very small incisions as it was done laparscopic. It was exactly what I expected as my gall bladder was removed the same way.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had one to date.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I think I do but sometimes I feel I could be imagining it. I noticed more people noticing me and talking to me.