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

My sister was on the journey to have WLS and I went to be her support person. Thought is was a good idea.

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

I tried twice and was rejected twice by OHIP for out of country. When Dr. Hagen from Toronto came along, I got my doctor to refer me, but he didn't think it would work. Don't give up.

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

Due to the research and information that I had learned through the Barrie Group, I had all the questions ready and brought my sister who was at that time post-op with me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had the surgery because I couldn't stand the pain in my body and how useless and helpless I was becoming.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Hagen and his Center of Excellence team were only doing the RNY at the time I had my surgery. I still think it is the best one to 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?

The only fears I had were due to my allergic reaction to all General Anestics. That was only my main concern.

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 husband sat on the back bench for a while but he did support my choice. Alot of friends think it is the easy way out. Little do they know, how hard it is to work on it everyday.

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

My employer was fine and I told them exactly what was going to happen. I was originally off for 4 weeks.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

It was very informative and helpful. They gave us alot of information and ideas on how to get some of the procedures done.

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 for 4 days and things went well. The most important things to take were my slippers as they provided the gowns and housecoat.

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

I did get a stricture at 4 weeks old. I called my surgeon immediately after not being able to even keep water down. They did some swallow tests and I had to have a stretch done. There were some complications at that point but I will talk about that at another time.

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 started to feel more energetic and couldn't sleep. When the strictre started, I got really tired and was throwing up all the time. Then I became very week.

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

Learning to eat differently for the first few weeks is definately a challenge. You are not hungry so you have to remind yourself to eat.

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

I travelled from Barrie, to Toronto. It took about 45 mins and was not a concern for aftercare.

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.

No answer at this time

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

My activity level became higher as I was starting to burn off calories.

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

I take a multi vitamin, calcium, vitamins C,D,E,B12 shots, biotin,and protien shakes everyday.

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 worst thing that happened to me was the vomiting from the stricture and the following surgeries. The hair loss was upsetting but I knew it was going to happen.

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

The worst part was the gas they use to blow up your abdomin coming up and out through my shoulders. That was the very worst.

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

I am presently the Leader of the Barrie Group. I am so glad this group was here during my journey. They taught me alot and I am paying it forward. You have to know what you are going to go through before you make the step into a new lifestyle.

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

Due to the extra surgeries, I have the scar from under my breast bone down to my belly button.Along with several small scars from the original lap.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I did not plateau until I reached 132 lbs out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People look at me differently and alot of them don't know who I am if they haven't seen me in awhile. I am treated differently by alot of people because I am normally sized.