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

I went to the NeWeigh clinic in the Houston area. The doctor and staff were very informative and helpful. I was convinced that this is what I needed to do right away.

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

Fairly painless! I know that I have good insurance so I wasn't worried that I'd be approved. I did, however, call my insurance co. daily for updates. I think that this helped speed things up. My advice would be, don't give up!!!!

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

Good. Dr. Ferrari was very informative and answered all of my questions. Just come prepared with questions. Study all of the information you can get your hands on and be sure you understand the risks, possible complications, and rewards of losing weight.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Realizing that I was not going to lose weight on my own. I had tried and failed dozens and dozens of diets. I was getting fatter and fatter.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lots of research.

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 was a little worried about blood clots, but all precautions were taken to prevent this. Just make sure you have a qualified surgeon who has performed the surgery many, many times.

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 very supportive. My friends were cautiously supportive. I'm not ashamed of what I've done, so I don't have a problem explaining what surgery I've had to those who I want to know. I don't really care what anyone else thinks! I'm three months post op, 55 pounds lighter, and feeling GREAT! How can this be wrong!

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

I told my supervisor that I was having stomach surgery due to accute sleep apnea and GERD. I didn't feel that any additional information was necessary. My supervisor was great and had no problems with my missing work. I was out of work 4 weeks.

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

My hospital stay was probably the least impressive part of the whole ordeal. The nurses were very "mechanical", non-responsive, and downright rude at times. I was in the hospital 3 days. Bring a robe, slippers, pillow if you want.

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

The only complication that I had surfaced when I went on soft, solid foods at 3 weeks. I was vomiting a lot and had severe nausea. I went to my surgeon who scheduled an upper GI pouch study for me. An obstruction in my esophagus was discovered and cleared up with an endoscopic procedure. Things have been great since!

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 felt weak. A little nauseous.

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

The first few weeks were rough. Expect to be sore, weak, and weepy.

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

About 25 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 first three I had a clear liquid diet. This went fairly well. Then I started the soft, solid food diet. This didn't go so well because of the obstruction in my esophagus. Once this was cleared by an endoscopic procedure, things improved greatly. I'm three months postop and still can't eat much bread or beef. Very, very little sugar. Everything else seems to be pretty tolerable.

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

I didn't exercise like I should have during the first 2 months. I have begun exercising (treadmill) and feel so much better and energetic.

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

Iron and a multi-vitamin.

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?

Nausea and vomiting. They persisted until the obstruction in my esophagus was cleared through an endoscopic procedure. Dumping was the pits. Makes you think before you pick up that candy or cookie. I haven't had any hair loss (knock on wood)!

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

Not having done a year ago!

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

NeWeigh aftercare. It's adequate, but redundant.

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

Not too bad. I won't be wearing a bikini, but the scar's about what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've been on a three week plateau that's driving me crazy. I'm 3.5 months postop and I've been on the same 55#s lost for weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. The guys are starting to notice me more and the women seem jealous! I love it!