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

The first time that I really heard about it was when Carnie Wilson had her surgery. I always thought that maybe I would have the surgery and the though would leave my mind. That was until I really decided to go ahead with the surgery.

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

My experience was very easy since I had nothing to do with getting insurance approval. My surgeon's office did everything.

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

My first visit was very imformative. I had to fill out some forms then the surgeon explained to me what the surgery was about and the pros and cons of it. He also answered any questions that I had. I also got my surgery date that day as well. Those who have not met with their surgeons should write down all their questions so they don't forget anything so they can fully understand what is involved with this surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The thing that made me decide to have this surgery was when I found out that my younger cousin had the surgery. I figured if she had the guts to go through with it so can I.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I really wanted to have my surgeon do my surgery and he only does Open RnY so that I how I decided to have which procedure 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?

I really did not have any fears about complications or dying during surgery. My main fears were aftercare and how I was going to adjust to not eating junk food anymore.

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?

For the most part my friends and family were very supportive. The only one who did not want me to have the surgery was my father. He felt that it was too dangerous. He wanted me to lose weight and he felt that I should achieve this through eating less and exercise. The 2 people who were very supportive to me after surgery was my mother and sister. They said in the city with me during my hospital stay and did alot for me for a couple of weeks after of surgery. I couldn't have functioned without them those first few weeks.

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

My supervisor was supportive but a little unsure why I was having the surgery. Sometimes it felt as if she was trying to talk me out of having the surgery. I told her that I was having gastric bypass surgery to lose weight. I was out of work for 5 weeks after surgery.

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

My hospital stay was pretty uneventful. Most nurses were pleasant and very helpful. I was there for 4 days. The most important thing that I brought was pre-moistened cleansing clothes since I was unable to shower.

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

The only complication that I had from surgery was at 12 weeks post op. I starting to vomit mucus and was unable to keep anything down. I became dehydrated 3 times and was in the hospital 2 times. I was finally diagnosed with reflux and started to take dimetapp and have been fine ever since ( I am now 18 weeks post op)

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 was very nervous. Not so much with the surgery but the prospect of not getting insurance approval. The way I coped was to eat even more!

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

I got tired very easily during my first few weeks home from the hospital. I took 2 naps daily. People should expect to feel tired and they probably won't be able to do all that they normally do. As the weeks go by I gained more and more energy.

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

I travelled 1 hour to my hospital. My surgeon has a office on Long Island (where I live). Aftercare is easier in that respect since I only have to travel about 20 minutes.

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 really haven't had many problems with food. The things that I stay away from that I ate before surgery (besides junk food and candy) are beef and shellfish. I have a hard time digesting them since they are hard to chew. The first couple of weeks I only ate soups because I didn't have to chew to eat them now. Now I almost never eat soup anymore since I have become more accustomed to chewing my food better.

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

My activity level in the days and weeks after surgery was pretty tame. I didn't do much during those first few weeks. Sometimes I would go to the store or take a short walk but other than that I would just sit and watch TV.

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

I take 2 childrens chewable multivitamins and 2 viactiv (for calcium) a day.

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 had a hard time sleeping in the beginning due to my incision. After about 3 weeks it got better. My hair loss has gotten worse in the past few weeks. The nausea and vomiting stopped after I began the dimetapp to stop the muscus and phelgm.

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

The worst part was when I woke up in recovery after surgery before I got the pain meds. That was the only time when I truly questioned myself for having the surgery. This was the only time even when I was having the episodes with throwing up mucus and phelgm and was in the hospital 2 times.

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

My surgeon and his associates offer a support group once a month. I have only gone 1 time since it is in the hospital where I had the surgery and it is hard to get there after work. The one time I went was very imformative. I plan to make time to go to more.

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

My scar was 5 inches after surgery. Now it is about 4 1/2 inches. It is smaller than I expected. My only complaint is that it is keloiding. I hope that it flattens after some time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had any plateaus yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No not really but I do notice that they complement me more. I am a uncomfortable with all the complements though. I still feel sometimes that I have never lost any weight yet. It just mind games - because I can see a big difference in my appearance.