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

From a friend who told me about how she lost weight and then informed me of when the surgeon was coming to the 2oz. group meeting to inform the public about the rny.

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

I have insurance throught the company I work for whom it is Great West. The policy states that I had to have letters from Doctors stating why they recommended me to have the surgery. I was required to have a physcalogical exam. And after all that they still only paid 50%. But it was better that not having any insurance at all. If you are going through insurance be sure to give them time because it can take up to four weeks to hear back weather they approve you or not. But if you know this is the surgery for you don't let insurance stand in the way. I would do the surgery all again. It has been the best decision I have ever made!!

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

I didn't know what to expect other that I had so many questions that I wanted to ask. He answered most of them with out me even asking. I had alot of questions written down from 2 oz. meetings that I haad previously attended that they couldn't answer in the meetings.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I made myself have the surgery- no one made the decision for me. I knew I deserved a better quality life. I come from a very large family. I didn't want to end up like them and be at the 400+ weight. It was better for me to start at the 247lbs. and loose.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I never looked into any other bypass proceedures since I live so far from a city I went with the RNY because of hearing about the possitive outcomes from the surgery.

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 never really thought of the fears going into the surgery. I have had so many surgerys it was old news for me. I new I was in good hands with the surgeon.

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 (emediate) were not for me to have the surgery. They were not supportive at all. My husband was very supportive. He was there for me the whole way and is still the best supporter I have. My father doesn't accept my weight loss now. He said his family is meant to big. So he doesn't really have a whole lot to say to me.

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

I did not tell any of my fellow coworkers or boss. I told them I was just going in for stomach surgery.

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

My stay in the hospital was very comfortable. Except for the pain of the incision of course. I was in the hospital for four days. If you have a favorite pair of "jammies" bring them. It makes it easier to walk in the hospital than having you "hinnie" hanging out. Every thing else is furnished for you. I even had a VCR in my room. My husband rented me movies to help pass the time which was nice.

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

The only complication I had after surgery was not being able to put down any water. I haad to fight to put the water down me. I was told by the surgeon if I didn't get the water in they would remit me and put a tube back into me. That conversation forced me to keep putting water in.

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 tired. I slept alot. I made myself get up and walk or eat. I kept telling myself the more I get up the more calories I will burn. So that kept me going after my goal.

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

I was very sore for the first three weeks. I told everyone not to make me laugh, cough or sneeze. Believe me you don't want to. I had a little pillow I made by folding a bath towel up and taping it solid so it was a hard pillow that I had to hold against my stomach when I did have to cough or sneeze. It really helped.

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

I traveled three hours to get to Salt Lake. I had to stay in the city for a day (should of stayed 2 days) then slept the whole three hours back home in the car. I made sure I took pain medication before we left for home.

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 few days were after I was home were tomato soup, cream of wheat and yogurt. It was basically trial and error to see what would stay down or what I would be running to the bathroom with. I still do not eat high carbs (bread, pasta, rice) I basically stay with high protein and vegetables with a little fruit. I deffently stay away from and carbonation and alchol. And NO caffein. I don't do sugar. It gives me shakes and fat makes my heart race.

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

I slept alot. Had to force myself to get up and walk or make a meal.

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

I am on a perscription drug call Trisicon. It is a high dosage of iron which gives me energy. It was the best thing to help me get my energy back. I also take Lecithin and Chromiom Piccolate (sp). I take GNC brand womens multi vitamen and 1200mg. of calcium.

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 never got sick in the hospital. I had a hard time sleeping on my back. I was used to sleeping on my side. I wasn't able to sleep on my side for atleast 8 weeks. I lost a lot of hair. I still am loosing hair. But I am also growing alot of it back. I still have dumping. Especially if I eat yogurt on an empty stomach or fruit. The sugar goes right through.

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

The incision!!!!!

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

I am the group leader of Elko and Spring Creek, Nevadas 2 oz. group. I really enjoy it. It keeps me informed and up on the latest ideas and problems. Keeps my want power going.

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

My scar runs from my belly button to the bottom of my breast bone. It healed very well. It is a little more crooked than I would like it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a plateau at 6 months. I had to really cut down on the calories and up the exercise to get over it and once I got on the other side it has been down hill all the way.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes! Men treat me differently. They make an effort to speak to me or more out of the way or hold open doors. Women are about the same. Freinds have stayed the same.