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

I first heard of bariatric surgery from a good friend of mine whom I do deep water aerobics with. She turned me on to Obesity help.com and I read about all the wonderful people and how good they look after losing weight.

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

I was automatically approved thru my husbands insurance, so there was no waiting period. If you have to wait for insurance to approve, just be patient, It'll happen.

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

I was kind of scared about talking with my surgeon for the 1st time, after a couple of appointments with him, I felt right at home with him, make sure you go in there with a list of questions to ask him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was sick and tired of being overweight, although my husband excepts me the way I am, I wanted to get healthy for my twin babies and myself.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did'nt really have a choice, they only do one procedure in the hospital where I had my surgery, and that is the RNY

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 scared that I was going to wake up with a breathing tube, but I really don't remember much, they put me to sleep and next thing I knew, I was in recovery. There is nothing to worry about. If I had to do it all over again, I most definately would.

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 friends and family were very happy for me. They are very supportive of me since the surgery.

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

NA

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

My hospital stay went pretty good. I was in the hospital for about 3 days. Most importlant things to bring with you are toothpaste and brush, chap stick and your C-pap machine if you have one.

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

I was okay the 1st couple of days out, then I became severly dehydrated and had to be put on a TPN for a month which was the pitts but after that, I had been doing good.

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 really excited about my surgery date, I went in the day before to make sure everything was good to go, come to find out my appt had to be re-scheduled due to an infected hernea. I was really bummed out when they had to re-schedule it, he gave me some antibiotic cream to clear up the infection and everything went well after that.

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

My first few weeks went ok, although I got very sick and tired of the liquid diet and could'nt wait till I could start to eat solid soft foods. Stick to everything your surgeon tells you to.

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

I live about 20 minutes away from the hospital, and 5 minutes away from our local clinic which makes it nice.

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.

I could have nothing but soft and pureed foods the first month or so after my surgery. I cannot drink carbonated bevereges, bread and some cuts of beef. I tolerate most foods if I go slow in eating, I had to have 2 Endoscopys following my surgery. The diatician calls me on a 3 month basis and asks how I am doing. I cannot eat chunky vegetables such as broccoli.

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

I did walk every day, and go and walk in the water at the pool at the fitness center. I am back to working out with my personal trainer 3x a week.

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

I am taking a potassium supplement, 1000 of calcium and magnesium and a multi vitamin each 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?

I still get nauseated at times and occasionally vomit if I eat too fast or too much. My bowel movements are back to normal. I rarely have dumping.

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

The wait.

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

I attend a monthly support group meeting for per and post-op people. I feel it is very important because you can learn from the other people who have already had the surgery.

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

My scar does'nt bother me at all, they had to repair my umbilical hernea and remove my gall bladder all at the same time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I gained about 17 lbs from the water weight gain in the hospital.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no