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

I cannot remember how I first found out about bariatric surgery. My initial impression was that I would be viewed as a coward, but after learning about the whole process it is a courageous thing to do.

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

My first visit with the surgeon was awesome. The waiting room was filled with people at all stages of the surgery and the hour long wait was not a wait at all - it was a mini support group.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health is failing and my husband and I would like to try to have children. I need to be healthy before I can consider getting pregnant.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I feel that the RNY procedure is more lasting and has a higher chance for success with me.

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?

The only fear I have is the fear that I will never feel "normal" in terms of my relationship with food.

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 and friends are so supportive and so excited for me to have the surgery. My niece tells me she loves me just the way I am, but I remind her that the surgery is for my health and not for my looks.

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

My employer and co-workers are all very supportive as well. I am very lucky. My immediate supervisor was slightly surprised that I would be qualified for the surgery. He thought I should be much bigger! :)

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

It was terrible!! I got no rest and the bed was awfully uncomfortable. On the bright side, my roommate was also a GBS patient so we were going through the same things. Another plus was the hospital staff. Everyone was very kind and professional. Except for one nurse, all of my nurses were outstanding. I was in the hospital for five days and spent the first two in ICU due to unexpected complications. Bring an extra pillow to hold against your stomach. Also bring your own night gowns to make you feel more comfortable.

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

Yes. My liver was enlarged. They do not know why. They said it looked okay despite its size so they didn't do a biopsy but did do follow up bloodwork and everything was normal. I was also having trouble breathing on my own so I was in ICU for the first 2 days. The night of the 2nd day, I was brought to a private room. I was scared as heck realizing I was in ICU for 2 days. I had tubes up my nose & down my throat & couldn't talk to anyone. I had a headache constantly for the first 3 days from the morphine and then they switched me to Demerol. I prayed to God constantly for support to get through that time and it worked!!

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 excited and not anxious at all about my surgery date. I'd been preparing for this - researching and talking with people who'd undergone the surgery and medical professionals - for 3 years so I felt very comfortable and very prepared.

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

I felt fine the first week, emotionally. Of course, physically, the pain was awful but not as bad as I thought. The second and third weeks I got very depressed. I turned to Obesityhelp.com and got help through the message boards and chat forums from other post ops. I was shocked that I couldn't drink much and was not hungry.

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

I had to travel approximately 1 hour or so for surgery & after care. It didn't affect my aftercare, as I knew I had to do it for my well being and I was in good hands.

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.

For the first 3 1/2 years after surgery, I had problems with sugar. I could not tolerate even the slightest bit of refined sugar at all. Now I can tolerate only those foods with less than 6g of sugar. Fried foods also make me sick. I am happy about this because sweets and fried foods were my downfall prior to surgery.

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

I was confined to home for the first week and then slowly started to feel up to getting out of the house and walking around.

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

A multi vitamin, folic acid and a B complex. I am also on Nascobal, a nasal B12 supplement, due to my B12 deficiency post surgery.

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?

Dumping and the gas!! Both still persist after almost 4 years. I have to be very careful about what I eat (no refined sugar or fried foods) to avoid dumping.

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

I would say just after the surgery - the first few weeks. It's all better from there!

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

I attend a monthly support group meeting at the hospital. It is somewhat helpful in that I get to see other people I have met at the doctor's office who are post-op. I also keep in touch with a couple of people via email. I utilize the Obesity Help website and the chat room a lot for advice. The staff at the doctor's office is wonderful as well. My family and friends have also been a God send. I am very lucky to have such a huge support network.

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

It runs from breast to belly button - about 6-7" long. It is what I expected and it doesn't bother me at all. :)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None so far....yikes...:)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. :)