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

The internet. All my life I've been looking for something to help me control my food intake. Being hungry always drove me back to the food when I dieted. I now will have a stomach capable of holding only small amounts of food and the dumping will prevent me from binging on sugar and junk.

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

Very informative, he described in detail the type of procedures he did, discussed possible complications and risks involved. Make sure to ask all your questions and do some research on WLS.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Nothing else was working anymore, I could not face another morning of cottage cheese and pineapple. My dieting days were over. I had exhaused all possibilities. WLS was my only hope.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon suggested the open RYN (he didn't to lap), I was hoping the dumping would curb my sweet tooth. I wanted the most bang for my buck. I didn't want a possible failed vgb.

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 biggest fear was that for some reason my surgery would be cancelled and I would be doomed as a morbid obese women the rest of my short life. I felt if there were complications I'd deal with them as they arose, nothing was as bad as living in this prison of fat and shame. I tell people to research WLS and find a surgeon you trust, and listen to your heart.

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?

I told very little people about my decision..I didn't want to have a explain, I told my Mother-in-law who then told a cousin (I had asked her not to). My father-in-law thought I was just wasting a hospital bed, I was only going to return to overeating. My husband was very supportive but very nervous about my decision. My aunt who is a nurse was very supportive however she was very nervous as well.

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 pissed I'd be taking time off work. Offered to pay for a hypnotist. Being a chiropractor she does not support surgery. I was away from work 2-3 weeks.

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

My stay was 6 days, I hated being in the hospital, I just wanted to be home. the hospital staff was ok, I just wanted my own bed, and wanted to take a shower in my own bathroom. I'm glad I brought my own nighties and night gown, the hospital ones where too small.

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

I had no 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?

I took each day, one day at a time. The first 3 weeks where the worse. I felt like crap trying to took after my house and kids. I didn't have much help, mostly my fault as I told none on my relations about my surgery. I just kept thinking things would get better, I kept thinking of how better I'd feel next week, next month, next year.

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

Limited mobility. I couldn't lift my 16 month old baby, every thing tasted sickly sweet, be prepared for the liquid diet, it's pretty limited. I tired very quickly, my first bath was pure heaven. I scrubbed away the surgical tape marks and felt refreshed and clean. Be patient with yourself, don't take risked and lift heavy things, rest when you need to, leave the housework if you can stand it.

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

1/2 hour away

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.

first week, 1/2 cup soup, 1/2 cup yogart, tomatoe juice, and more soup. Not very exciting, but I wasn't hungry anyway. The KFC and Taco Bell commercials drove me crazy. I was on full fluids for only two weeks. The next 2 weeks I was on puree diet, bananas, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, apple sauce. Crackers in my soup, eating 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of food is a miracle!!! I've been on a regular diet for over one month now, I've tried most food, white bread, hamburger, icecream, and fruit bottom yogart can't be tolerated. Everything must be chewed very well.

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

Not much energy for 4 weeks, I tired easily, walking was my only exercise, I didn't won't to try anything until all stomach pain was gone. I returned to swimming 9 weeks post op. Mainly to speed up the weight loss.

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

Flintstone chewable once a day Iron 3 x day (liquid for 1 month, it tasted revolting but I choked it back until the $19.99 bottle was gone) calcium 3 x 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?

If I don't listen to my body and eat too fast, I can overeat. The feeling is very uncomfortable, the food just sits, like its stuck. I make myself get rid of the food, I won't go into details, I think you can figure it out. At about 7 weeks post op I experienced pain about the sized of a nickel right above my incision sight. It lasted about 2 weeks. (Probably from picking up the baby too soon.

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

Waiting to see if I could have the surgery. Eating liquids only the first 2-3 weeks, not able to sleep on my stomach. No real problems though, grateful to be a wls post op.

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

I see a dietian for at least one year, I am still seeing my surgeon as well. I belong to the Ontario Surgery Support Group, attend monthly meetigs and post and read their daily email. this is the most important and helpful part of my recovery. Who better then those who know the pain of a pre and post op, who have had the experience and can share it with me.

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

Just as the surgeon described, about 7 inched long, red and looks like a centipede tattoo. I also have 2 one inch scars where tubes where inserted. Pretty ugly, my bikini days are over.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost 90 pounds my first year, maintained that lost for the 2nd year. Lost 25 pounds the last 3 months, over 2 years post-op and still able to lose weight!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Family are totaly freaked out because I've lost weight, the last 25 pounds especially. Men actually look at me and come to serve me in restaurants and stores. It makes me mad how I used to be ignored because I was fat and now I'm suddenly worthy of attention. Even my Mother reacts like this.