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

I found out about bariatric surgery through a friend at work. His wife had undergone the procedure and so he introduced me to her so I could ask her questions. Another co-worker also had the procedure done and I remembered her before the procedure and then 6 months later the change was remarkable. She was a completely different person! Then recently a close friend of the family underwent gastric bypass. In almost six months he has lost 100 pounds and he feels like a new man!

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

I expected a battle. I expected to have a 5-6 week back-and-forth with them. Surprisingly, they were quick with their response. It took 10 days from the time of my appointment with the surgeon to get a YES from my insurance company.

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

I went to my appointment armed with knowledge from doing research about this procedure. I had a list of questions. Dr. Georgitis was a very warm person and I was very comfortable talking to him. He explained what was involved and provided me with further information. He knew exactly what to say and how to put my fears to rest. Before your appointment, do some work. Look up as much info as you can regarding this procedure. Then make a list of questions that you still need answered.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am just so tired of being uncomfortable. I want to enjoy a more full and active life and at my present weight, I'm not allowed this. If this procedure will help me once and for all shed this extra poundage, as well as let me be more active in my life, then by all means I wish I would have started the process a year ago!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Georgitis performs RNY procedure only. I'm not planning on entering a bikini contest so it doesn't bother me that I'll have a large scar.

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 am actually excited and terrified. I think about the complication of death with this surgery virtually every other day. At the moment I'm just trying to focus on the positive. They haven't lost that many people from this procedure. So I say take it one day at a time.

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 is supportive in the sense that he is looking forward to my being a smaller size, though he doesn't understand the work that will be involved in my recovery. My family is supportive also. I'm also getting support from most of my friends. I have a few who have begged me not to do it, so I have kept my decision from them until I feel the time is right.

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

My supervisor has been supportive in my decision. I was upfront with her from the start and continue to keep her informed.

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

My hospital stay was comfortable. I was there a total of 4 days. The staff was great. They were caring and understanding and always there whenever I needed a helping hand. The only thing I brought with me were clothes that I knew I would be comfortable wearing the day I was released. I immediately changed into my own pajamas as soon as I got home!

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

I did not have any complications from the surgery.

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

Each week varied. One week I was a complete basket case, then the following week I was walking on air. I finally learned to occupy myself with other thoughts so that my surgery wasn't the only thing on my mind. It made the six weeks fly.

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

I think my expectations may have been a little too high. I certainly didn't expect my husband to provide the same care that I had received in the hospital, but certainly some compassion would have been appreciated. In hindsight, I would have loved to have someone from Visiting Nurses to come by and help me a couple times during the first two weeks home. Then she could have helped me with basics such as rubbing my back or shaving my legs, etc.

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

The hospital was in the next town over, so it was only a couple of miles away. The surgeon's office is adjacent to the hospital.

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.

My first three weeks have been mostly soups and juices and such.

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

The first three weeks have been difficult. I have had to push myself out the door to take my walks. The weather hasn't cooperated, and I've been uncomfortable walking because the incision is still sore.

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

I have been taking two children's chewable vitamins daily. My husband thought he'd be helpful and bought liquid Centrum (liquid diet). Nasty stuff! YUK!

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 really have to say that the side effects were very few. I had some nausea but that was only if I didn't follow the postop diet or I pushed myself and ate just a bit more than I should. I did have hair loss that began at about 4 months postop. I was losing clumps of hair at a time. I am now 7 months postop and this has slowed back down to normal. I didn't lose so much hair that I have bald patches, but it definitely thinned out. I'm told it will grow back, but that my hair may never be as thick as it once was.

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

I have to say the worst part about the procedure was the second week postop (first week home). I was so weak and unable to do things for myself. I had an 18 month old who just didn't understand that I couldn't pick him up. My husband didn't understand how weak I was. It was an emotionally, physically and mentally draining week. I would recommend having a back-up support person just in case your support person doesn't "work out".

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

The closest support group is located over an hour away. There is no support system in my area. I have been able to keep in touch with friends who have had this procedure. I have also met people from Obesityhelp and have been in communication with them via e-mail. This has been extremely helpful for me to share what I'm feeling and what I'm going through.

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

I'm having a hard time adjusting to the appearance of my scar. I knew I would have a scar, but I didn't know what to expect since I have never had surgery. At the moment my scar is a raised ridge, purple-pink in appearance. I'm told that over time it will fade to a white line. I'm not ever planning on wearing a two-piece to the beach, so I'm adjusting fairly well. I guess it looks worse than it really is.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have encountered small plateaus just about every month. I'll be going along doing my think then get hung up. It usually happens right around the "time of the month". Sometimes I have to re-evaluate what I've done and modify a little bit. Maybe I didn't drink enough water, or I'm not eating enough, or I didn't do any exercise that last week. I find that exercise is a big part of weight loss. It makes the difference between staying the same, or losing 3-4 lbs in a week. When my exercise program kicks back in, the weight starts to drop again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely. This is not a good thing! Let me explain. See, before the surgery, I was, using my husband's word, FAT. Sure, people were nice to me, but that was about it. Now I've lost 80 lbs. I look better. I feel better. I dress better. I wear makeup and do my hair differently. I'm not so bad to look at anymore. Yet these people are now talking to me, saying hi in the hallways, etc. I'm the same person, yet now it's okay to talk to me? We live in a very unfriendly, fat-phobic society. I'm still that large person, but now I have a normal sized body. I'm a bit resentful that people are just more friendly towards me now.