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

My best friend decided to do it and gave me the information on it.

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

Get every single record from doctor's visits with your weights on them and how many times you discussed your weight with your doctor. Also, if you have other medical problems that adversely after your weight like hypertension or diabetes, make sure it is highlighted in your reports

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

I had already chosen my surgeon from my husband doing a background check by asking the ER nurses from where I was going to have my surgery about the Bariatric doctors. His name came up with the most positive remarks. My visitit went well because I had gone to the group's required seminar and the doctor that was there was the one who I had already chosen so a lot of my questions were already answered at the seminar. Make sure you go to one.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was sick and tired of being fat!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

A friend of mine who had the surgery said to me "well how do you want to get through a door? Through the keyhole or by opening it.?" Good point and I decided on an open procedure vs a lap. I had pain for about 6 days and that was 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?

My only concern was about going under anesthesia. It is a particular fear of mine. But I was only on the table for an hour and a half.

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 parents were very concerned. But, my Dad had someone in his office who had had it done and she called me and talked to me about her experience. Plus, by that time I had already had two friends that had done the procedure.

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

I took the whole 6 weeks off, which for me was ok because I work per diem and can schedule myself at will. I am glad I took off the whole time because I was just exhaused all the time. I know of some people who went back to work earlier and some later than me. Everyone is different.

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

I stayed in the hospital 4 days initially. The medications worked for pain control and I was able to walk around the following days after my surgery.

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

I went back in the second day I was out. I was so dehydrated because I could not drink anything. I had no appetite and I could not get the pain medication down. I told my husband I wanted the surgery reversed. It was that bad! I was in the hospital for another 4 days for IV fluids and medication. The doctor said my stoma was probably so swollen I could not get anything down. He said it was not uncommon after surgery. I was able to go home after that and start taking fluids.

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 wished I had never done the surgery. Just walking half way down my block exhausted me and I could barely get down 1-2 ounces of fluid. I had to resolve myself to what I had down and just allow it to happen. My friends who already were ahead of me in weeks said I would get better and I did but going through that first two months was very difficult for me. I

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

I was very lucky to have had people who had the surgery that I could talk to and bounce food and liquid ideas off them. I just learned that everyone takes to my kind of surgery differently. What works for one may not work for another. It was trial and error for the first 6 months.

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

Not far because it was here in my hometown. But I live about an hour from the hospital and doctor's office.

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 did very well with cream soups in the begining, then switched to lowfat and low sugar yogurt. I could eat mashed potatos, mostly bland pureed food. I was unable to eat eggs and I still have a problem with them to this day. I had to switch to low fat mayo and lactose free milk. I did not eat anything with more than 3-4 grams of sugar until I was well into my 10th month. I have never had a dumping experience and was very careful to follow my doctor's monthly food plan. Chicken can be good one day and bad the next. Soft beef turned out to be the best protein for me after 6 months.

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

Practically none, except for two walks a day. I had NO energuy whatsoever.

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

I took childrens chewables in the begining and liquid VB12. I am now able to take prenatal vitamins, chewable calcium and my VB12 liquid.

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 was unable to sleep for the first 5 week after my surgery so I took sleeping pills and they really helped. I was occasionally nauseated with some food. I had no dumping or diarrhea. I have had hair loss and to this day my hair is still thin.

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

The first 2-3 months adjusting to the physical and psychological changes that I had to make with my eating.

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

I have never gone to a support group. My husband and parents, friends have been very supportive and I got over my depression about the surgery about 8 weeks into it.

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

My scar had realy diminished. I used a scar medication, the kind you can buy at the drug store on it. Right now it is a fine white line about 5 inches long. It does not bother me and is barely noticable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I really never experienced any plateaus.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I can dress in whatever I want to. I feel people look at me differently (althogh they don't). I just feel like now I am "normal" It is my experience not other's.